All photos courtesy Aaron Jaffe/San Diego Sockers
DEL MAR–If eight games in twenty-two days and four sets of back-to-backs won’t stop the San Diego Sockers, what will?
Shrugging off the most difficult part of their schedule, the Sockers (13-0) put together their most complete effort of the season in the last leg of their 22-day gauntlet, dismantling a previously emboldened Revolucion Tijuana side 13-2. In doing so, San Diego continued their record streaks, winning their 27th straight game, 21st in a row in the PASL regular season and 31st without a loss at the Del Mar Arena.
Kraig Chiles continued what will surely be a repeat MVP campaign with four goals and two assists, breaking Bernie Lilavois’ single-season goals record in the process. Chiles now has 42 goals in 13 games, two more than Lilavois recorded in 2008-2009 with Stockton. By the time the first quarter had ended, Chiles already had a hat trick and the record in his back pocket.
“It was exciting,” said Chiles, “It was nice to get all of that stuff (the records) out of the way and behind us. The team is really starting to click. We’re gelling together and really playing good soccer right now.”
Game Highlights: Sockers vs. TJ
Former Tijuana star Eduardo Velez does the sombrero dance after scoring against his old team.
During the previous week’s training, former Tijuana star Eduardo Velez told the Sockers that Revolucion was barking from south of the border, talking about how they were going to come north and break San Diego’s home winning streak. While no actual quote was ever posted on the proverbial “bulletin board”, the rumored bravado served as motivation for a clinical blowout win.
“Yeah, we were overly prepared for this game. Maybe we made up a couple of rumors they really wanted to beat us at home. We had a fire lit under us and wanted to jump on them from the get-go,” said Chiles.
Anthony Medina begins his successful bicycle kick goal in the third quarter as TJ defender Oscar Espinoza looks on.
“I saw the ball in the air and decided to go for it. It’s one of those goals you dream about,” said Medina of the brilliant play, which came off a perfect feed from Chiles.
For the second straight night, Chris Toth got the start in goal and put together a masterful performance worthy of “man of the match” honors. Toth allowed just two goals, both to Romero, but neither in the true run of play. The first came after a misjudged leap at the top of the San Diego crease allowed a Tijuana goal throw to connect with Romero down low more than halfway through the third quarter. The second came as the final horn sounded when almost everyone else on the field had backed off. In between, Toth was credited with 17 saves and calmly controlled the action for his 4th win in as many decisions.
“Our defense has been killing it lately,” said Toth, “When you’ve got so much speed back there it makes it really tough on the other team.”
Chris Toth (4-0) made 17 saves while lowering his GAA to 3.59, best in the PASL.
“It’s been a good run,” said Rovira of the defensive power play unit, “When you’ve got the fastest player in the league (Farber) up top it’s pretty nice. Everybody looks his way and it opens things up for the rest of us. I think we’ve scored as many (goals) or close to it as the power play unit, so it’s pretty nice.”
Postgame Interviews: Kraig Chiles/Diego Rovira
Diego Rovira celebrates after scoring the first of his two goals against Tijuana
“Those guys are making plays in front of me all the time and it makes it easy on me to get the saves I need to,” said Toth.
Revolucion began the game with confidence and cheek, as Villa attempted a bicycle kick on his first touch, missing wide to the left. By the time the quarter was over, the Tijuana defense was dispirited and the Sockers were having their way.
“We came out sharp and ran right at them,” said Rovira, “I don’t think they were really expecting that. We came out strong and showed who the top team is in this league.”
Smart roster management by head coach Phil Salvagio has kept captain Aaron Susi fresh, and Susi has responded with 24 points in 10 games
While the league schedule becomes decidedly easier in the season’s final month, with two weeks before San Diego’s next game (a home contest against 1-11 Arizona), Salvagio’s decision to enter the Sockers in the FIFRA Championships next week in Monterrey, Mexico adds a degree of difficulty. The team will fly to Monterrey on Wednesday and participate in the four-team international exhibition tournament, which will include the LMFR (Liga Mexican de Futbol Rapido) champion Monterrey Flash, as well as teams from Canada and Ecuador. While the games will not count toward any league standings or statistics (only the Sockers’ overall win streak is at risk), the possibility of playing four games in four days south of the border leads to natural concerns about injury and fatigue. Salvagio will fly a number of reserve players to Monterrey as well as the regulars to try and balance out the wear and tear.
“We’re taking this trip fairly seriously,” said Chiles of the team’s mindset heading into the tournament, “We’re excited to get over there. The most important thing is for the team to stay healthy and fit, not pick up any injuries down there and try to get four wins.”
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