by Craig on March 14, 2010
PASL-Pro commissioner Kevin Milliken (left) hands the championship trophy to Sockers coach/GM Phil Salvagio
DEL MAR–The Sockers are back, and now they’ve got the title to prove it.
Paul Wright had a goal and four assists, Kraig Chiles scored a hat trick, and the San Diego Sockers withstood a furious rally from La Raza de Guadalajara, prevailing 9-8 at the Del Mar Arena to claim the PASL-Pro North American Championship.
Riley Swift (in gray) was named tournament MVP after collecting 37 saves in two games
Goalkeeper Riley Swift, who followed up a 16-save performance in the semis with 21 saves on Saturday night, was named tournament MVP.
“It’s championship time,” said Swift, “These were two tough games, but we knew what we wanted to do, and we made it happen. It’s been way overdue to finally bring a championship back to San Diego, and I hope there’s more to come.”
It’s the 11th major indoor title for the Sockers, but the first for this collection of young talent and aged greatness.
“We worked so hard for this,” said a relieved Wright after the game, “I can’t believe we’re going to raise another banner up here.” Continue Reading →
Chiky Luna’s goal with :19 left in the fourth quarter gave the San Diego Sockers a wild 6-5 victory over the Mexico City Sidekicks, sending the Sockers through to the final of the PASL-Pro North American Championship. The Sockers will play La Raza de Guadalajara tonight at 6:15pm in Del Mar, bidding for the 11th indoor soccer title in the history of the revived franchise. (watch a full-game replay on demand from 619 Sports by clicking here)
A game filled with tension, drama, nerves and argument came down to the Sockers’ long-standing ability to convert goals off of free kicks and set pieces. Paul Wright netted a free kick goal from the top of the penalty box early in the fourth quarter to put the Sockers ahead 5-4, and then acted as a decoy for the final goal, as Aaron Susi veered in to thread a pass to Luna in the left slot for the game winner.
“It was actually designed for Susi to set up Paul, but when Mexico City lined up (their defense), we saw they were leaving me wide open,” said Luna, “Susi and I just looked at each other, and I knew he was coming to me right away.”
Read more, and watch video interviews with Luna and Kraig Chiles after the jump: Continue Reading →
