Sockers' forward Aaron Susi talks to V.O. Quiroz of Mexico after a 9-5 win at the Del Mar Arena/(619 Sports photo)
DEL MAR–The San Diego Sockers have a lot to celebrate after a 9-5 win over the Stars of Mexico in their exhibition opener at the renovated Del Mar Arena. They also have a lot to work on to improve as a team. But one thing will not be questioned: this battle-tested group of veterans have worked hard to bring indoor soccer back to San Diego, and they’re not about to back down to any opponent.
“We play as a unit, and we stick up for each other,” said head coach Phil Salvagio after the Sockers emerged victorious from a chippy game that featured multiple arguments, hard hits, and the ejection of 40-year-old Mexican star Luis Hernandez for a fourth quarter cheap shot, kicking a player from behind into the boards.
The bigger story was in the stands, where a boisterous crowd-estimated at 2,700 by Sockers officials-packed the 3,000+ seat Del Mar Arena, creating a festive atmosphere that grew in intensity once Mexico had fought back to a 5-5 tie in the 3rd quarter. Paul Wright, the 40-year-old former star of the Sockers and the MLS, gave San Diego the lead for good with thirty-six seconds left in the quarter, placing a hard shot from the top of the penalty area high in the net.
Wright spoke after the game about his go-ahead goal and what it meant to the team:
Miguel “Chiky” Luna led the Sockers with two goals and two assists. Ze Roberto and Dan Antoniuk along with Luna tallied three unanswered goals in the 4th, at which point the Stars of Mexico were more content to argue with the refs and fight than continue to play.
Luis Hernandez didn’t seem to have any legs left but plenty of fight, as he personally slowed the game to a crawl several times with arguments and altercations. His exit after being ejected late in the fourth quarter was met with resounding boos. Salvagio at one point stood on the bench and screamed back and forth with Hernandez.
Chiky Luna led the Sockers with two goals and two assists/(619 Sports photo)
With 2:07 remaining in the fourth quarter, an injury forced officials to call off the rest of the game. Stars of Mexico midfielder Lupillo Castaneda got flipped and landed on his head and neck. Castaneda was immobilized and taken to the hospital by paramedics for further examination but was alert on the field.
It was a final, physical moment to mark a game that saw plenty of hits, shoves, and blue card penalties.
“Chiky” Luna, one of many former Sockers who have come back to try and breathe new life into the franchise, was excited to see how many people came out for their first game:
Salvagio said he had goosebumps listening to the crowd get into the game in the second half:
What the Sockers are hoping is that the big crowd will be back for more. There are 11 more home dates scheduled at the Del Mar Arena, including back-to-back home games against the Stockton Cougars and Las Vegas Knights on November 20th and 21st, as the Sockers begin play in the Professional Arena Soccer League.
619 Sports’ Jeff Creps contributed to this story.
