2014–15 San Diego Sockers season

San Diego Sockers
2014–15 MASL season
General Manager John Kentera
Head Coach Phil Salvagio
Arena Valley View Casino Center
3500 Sports Arena Boulevard
San Diego, California 92110
Major Arena Soccer League 1st, Pacific (regular season)
Ron Newman Cup Lost Division Final
Top goalscorer Kraig Chiles (45 goals, 17 assists)
Highest home attendance 7,311 (January 31 vs. Tacoma Stars)
Lowest home attendance 1,922 (November 20 vs. Las Vegas Legends)
Average home league attendance 3,814 (10 games)[1]
← 2013–14 (PASL) 2015–16 →

The 2014–15 San Diego Sockers season was the sixth season of the San Diego Sockers professional indoor soccer club. The San Diego Sockers, a Pacific Division team in the Major Arena Soccer League, played their home games in the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California.

The team was led by general manager John Kentera and head coach Phil Salvagio with assistant coach Ray Taila. Amassing a 16–4 regular season record, the Sockers qualified for the playoffs as the top seed in the Pacific Division but lost to the Las Vegas Legends in the Pacific Division Final.

Season summary

The Sockers started the season with a four-game winning streak before a road loss to the Las Vegas Legends. The team won the next two at home then lost back to back games in Missouri.[2] Unlike in recent seasons, a substantial portion of the Sockers roster was born outside the United States. As of January 2015, the team included 7 international players, including 3 from Brazil, 2 from Spain, and 1 each from Mexico and Argentina.[3] The Sockers then won their next 9 games, home and road, before losing on the road at Las Vegas for the second time this season. The Sockers closed out the season with a home win against the Ontario Fury, finishing with a 16–4 record and the top seed in the Pacific Division for the playoffs. They lost 6–7 to the Las Vegas Legends in the Pacific Division Final.

History

This is the third professional soccer franchise to use the "San Diego Sockers" name.[4] The original Sockers were founded in 1978 and played in the NASL, original MISL, and the CISL before ceasing operations in 1996.[5] The second Sockers were briefly revived for the WISL in 2001 and transitioned to the second MISL in 2002 before folding in 2004.[6][7]

The current Sockers were founded in 2009 and played their first three PASL seasons at the Chevrolet Del Mar Arena in Del Mar, California, before moving to Valley View Casino Center before the 2012–13 season.[8] After early struggles, the team dominated the PASL for several years with long winning streaks and consecutive championships. The Sockers finished the 2013–14 regular season 2nd in the Pacific Division with a 13–3 record, qualifying for the post-season but losing to the Las Vegas Legends in the Division Final.

Off-field moves

In May 2014, the Professional Arena Soccer League added six teams from the failed third incarnation of the Major Indoor Soccer League and reorganized as the Major Arena Soccer League.[9][10][11] With the league expansion and reorganization, the other Pacific teams for 2014–15 are California-based Ontario Fury, Sacramento Surge, and Turlock Express plus the Las Vegas Legends and the expansion Seattle Impact.[12][13] The Impact's assets were purchased mid-season and the team replaced on the schedule by the Tacoma Stars.[14]

Schedule

      Win       Loss

Pre-season

Game Day Date Kickoff Opponent Results Location[15] Attendance
Score Record
1 Saturday October 18 6:05pm Toros Mexico L 5–7[16] 0–1 Valley View Casino Center

Regular season

Game Day Date Kickoff Opponent Results Location[15] Attendance
Score Record
1 Saturday November 1 7:05pm Las Vegas Legends W 5–4 (OT)[17] 1–0 Valley View Casino Center[18] 3,816[19]
2 Saturday November 8 7:30pm at Seattle Impact W 14–4[20][21] 2–0 ShoWare Center 1,348[22]
3 Sunday November 16 5:05pm Ontario Fury W 7–2[23][24] 3–0 Valley View Casino Center 2,913[25]
4 Thursday November 20 7:35pm Las Vegas Legends W 7–2[26][27] 4–0 Valley View Casino Center 1,922[28]
5 Sunday November 23 3:00pm at Las Vegas Legends L 7–9[29][30] 4–1 Orleans Arena 1,377[31]
6 Saturday December 6 7:05pm Turlock Express W 5–4[32] 5–1 Valley View Casino Center[33] 2,570[34]
7 Saturday December 13 7:05pm Seattle Impact W 17–10[35] 6–1 Valley View Casino Center 2,837[36]
8 Saturday December 27 7:05pm at Missouri Comets L 7–10[37][38] 6–2 Independence Events Center[39] 4,218[40]
9 Sunday December 28 6:35pm at St. Louis Ambush L 3–8[2][41] 6–3 Family Arena[42] 6,574[43]
10 Saturday January 3 7:05pm Sacramento Surge W 18–5[44] 7–3 Valley View Casino Center 3,254[45]
11 Saturday January 10 7:05pm Harrisburg Heat W 11–4[46][47] 8–3 Valley View Casino Center[3][48] 4,177[49]
12 Friday January 16 7:30pm at Tacoma Stars1 W 8–3[50] 9–3 ShoWare Center 885[51][52]
13 Friday January 23 7:35pm at Turlock Express W 10–3[53] 10–3 Turlock Indoor Soccer 570[54]
14 Saturday January 24 7:05pm at Sacramento Surge W 13–6[55] 11–3 McClellan Park[56] 545[57]
15 Sunday January 25 3:05pm at Sacramento Surge W 10–5[58] 12–3 McClellan Park[56] 358[59]
16 Saturday January 31 7:05pm Tacoma Stars1 W 13–4[60] 13–3 Valley View Casino Center[61] 7,311[62]
17 Saturday February 7 7:05pm Baltimore Blast W 7–2[63][64] 14–3 Valley View Casino Center 6,247[65]
18 Thursday February 12 7:05pm at Ontario Fury2 W 9–5[66][67] 15–3 Citizens Business Bank Arena 4,253[68]
19 Friday February 13 7:35pm at Las Vegas Legends L 5–8 15–4 Orleans Arena 2,311[69]
20 Saturday February 21 7:05pm Ontario Fury W 3–1[70][71] 16–4 Valley View Casino Center 4,094[72]

1 Seattle Impact shut down mid-season; franchise purchased by Tacoma Stars
2 Originally scheduled for February 15; rescheduled to avoid an arena conflict.

Post-season

Game Day Date Kickoff Opponent Results Location Attendance
Score Record
Division Final Saturday March 7 7:05pm Las Vegas Legends L 6–7[73][74] 0–1 Valley View Casino Center[75][71] 4,279[76]

Awards and honors

San Diego forward Kraig Chiles was selected for the 2014-15 MASL All-League First Team. Defender Eduardo Velez was selected for the All-League Second Team. Goalkeeper Chris Toth and forward Nick Perera were selected for the All-League Third Team.[77] San Diego midfielder Ney Almeida was named to the league's all-rookie team for 2014–15.[78]

On March 13, the MASL announced the finalists for its major year-end awards. These nominees included San Diego forward Kraig Chiles for Most Valuable Player and Chris Toth for Goalkeeper of the Year.[79]

References

  1. ↑ "2014-15 League Attendance". Major Arena Soccer League. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Riggins, Alex (December 29, 2014). "No. 13 Huskies Shocked by Stony Brook". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Riggins, Alex (January 9, 2015). "Sockers have foreign flavor". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  4. ↑ Leonard, Tod (November 3, 2012). "Sockers make return to historic home". San Diego Union-Tribune (Escondido, CA). Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  5. ↑ Calkins, Matt (November 26, 2012). "Sockers hoping future can rival that of the past". North County Times (Escondido, CA). Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  6. ↑ "The San Diego Sockers: A Dynasty Reborn". San Diego Sockers. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
  7. ↑ Pinella, Bill (February 18, 2014). "Sockers aren't going anywhere soon". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  8. ↑ Hiro, Brian (June 11, 2012). "SOCCER: San Diego Sockers leaving Del Mar to return to old Sports Arena". North County Times (Escondido, CA). Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  9. ↑ Marshall, Raymond (July 29, 2014). "MASL Announces 2014-15 Alignment". The Dallas Morning News (Dallas, TX: A. H. Belo). Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  10. ↑ Martinez, Jose Luis (August 21, 2014). "Anuncia Rancho Seco su acción". El Diario de Coahuila (in Spanish) (Coahuila). Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  11. ↑ Spicciarello, Franco (September 10, 2014). "Soccer Indoor, al via la Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)". Soccer Italia (in Italian) (Rome, Italy). Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  12. ↑ Ruiz, Eddie (May 20, 2014). "Turlock Express join new league". Turlock Journal (Turlock, CA: Morris Multimedia). Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  13. ↑ Riggins, Alex (October 31, 2014). "Sockers to kick off season in new league". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  14. ↑ Baker, Geoff (January 14, 2015). "Tacoma Stars buy rights to return to the highest level of professional indoor soccer". The Seattle Times (Seattle, WA: The Seattle Times Company). Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "San Diego Sockers Schedule". Major Arena Soccer League. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Kruger Scores Twice in Sockers Preseason Loss". San Diego Sockers. October 18, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  17. ↑ Riggins, Alex (November 1, 2014). "Chiles wins opener for Sockers". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  18. ↑ Riggins, Alex (November 1, 2014). "Sockers Open With a Hole to Fill; Team hoping that Kruger can help to replace retired Susi". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Box Score: Valley View Casino Arena - Sat, Nov 01, 2014". Major Arena Soccer League. November 1, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  20. ↑ Ruiz, Don (November 8, 2014). "Impact humbled in arena soccer debut". The News Tribune (Tacoma, WA: McClatchy). Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Sockers subdue Impact in debut". Kent Reporter (Kent, WA: Sound Publishing). November 10, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Box Score: ShoWare Center - Sat, Nov 08, 2014". Major Arena Soccer League. November 8, 2014. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  23. ↑ "SOCCER: Fury falters against rival Sockers". The Press-Enterprise (Riverside, CA: A. H. Belo). November 16, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  24. ↑ Riggins, Alex (November 16, 2014). "Sockers roll to easy victory". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Box Score: Valley View Casino Arena - Sun, Nov 16, 2014". Major Arena Soccer League. November 16, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  26. ↑ Riggins, Alex (November 21, 2014). "Sockers Have and Easy Time, Top Legends". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  27. ↑ Elsten, Craig (November 26, 2014). "San Diego Sockers take care of business at Valley View Casino Center". Valley Roadrunner (Valley Center, CA: Verican). Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Box Score: Valley View Casino Arena - Thu, Nov 20, 2014". Major Arena Soccer League. November 20, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  29. ↑ "Las Vegas Legends Defeat San Diego Sockers". Las Vegas Informer (Las Vegas, NV: Informer Media Group). November 26, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  30. ↑ "Sockers Fall Short on Road Against Legends". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). November 24, 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  31. ↑ "Box Score: Orleans Arena - Sun, Nov 23, 2014". Major Arena Soccer League. November 23, 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  32. ↑ Riggins, Alex (December 6, 2014). "Sockers hold on to edge Express". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  33. ↑ Segal, Shel (December 4, 2014). "Ontario Fury and Reign teams will play home games this weekend". Fontana Herald News (Fontana, CA: Century Group Newspapers). Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  34. ↑ "Box Score: Valley View Casino Arena - Sat, Dec 6, 2014". Major Arena Soccer League. December 6, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  35. ↑ Coyle, Ross (December 22, 2014). "Downs, then ups, then downs for Seattle Impact". Kent Reporter (Kent, WA: Sound Publishing). Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  36. ↑ "Box Score: Valley View Casino Arena - Sat, Dec 13, 2014". Major Arena Soccer League. December 13, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  37. ↑ Husted, Jeff (December 28, 2014). "Comets face tough challenge from Sockers on way to 9-0 start". The Blue Testament (Kansas City, MO: Vox Media). Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  38. ↑ "New Jersey Going to a Bizarre Tri-Coach System". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). December 28, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  39. ↑ Althaus, Bill (December 30, 2014). "Comets slip past Sockers to stay unbeaten". The Examiner (Independence, MO: GateHouse Media). Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  40. ↑ "Box Score: Independence Events Center - Sat, Dec 27, 2014". Major Arena Soccer League. December 27, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  41. ↑ "Sports shorts: Ambush win". St. Louis Post-Dispatch (St. Louis, MO: Lee Enterprises). December 29, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  42. ↑ "Ambush to play two this weekend". St. Louis Post-Dispatch (St. Louis, MO: Lee Enterprises). December 25, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  43. ↑ "Box Score: Family Arena - Sun, Dec 28, 2014". Major Arena Soccer League. December 28, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  44. ↑ Riggins, Alex (January 3, 2015). "Sockers stop Surge in return home". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  45. ↑ "Box Score: Valley View Casino Arena - Sat, Jan 03, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. January 3, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  46. ↑ Riggins, Alex (January 10, 2015). "Sockers roll to 11-4 romp". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  47. ↑ Bullock, Michael (January 11, 2015). "With club owner John Wilsbach serving as coach, Harrisburg Heat fall 11-4 in San Diego". The Patriot-News (Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications). Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  48. ↑ Bullock, Michael (January 10, 2015). "Still chasing first win, Harrisburg Heat to visit San Diego Saturday night". The Patriot-News (Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications). Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  49. ↑ "Box Score: Valley View Casino Arena - Sat, Jan 10, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. January 10, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  50. ↑ "Tacoma Stars lose indoor soccer debut at ShoWare Center". Kent Reporter (Kent, WA: Sound Publishing). January 17, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  51. ↑ "Box Score: ShoWare Center - Fri, Jan 16, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. January 16, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  52. ↑ Coyle, Ross (January 23, 2015). "Stars keep their heads up despite first game lumps". Kent Reporter (Kent, WA: Sound Publishing). Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  53. ↑ "Williams Sisters Rally, Move Into Aussie 4th Round". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). January 24, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  54. ↑ "Box Score: Turlock Soccer Complex - Fri, Jan 23, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. January 23, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  55. ↑ "Chargers Deny Report of L.A. Stadium Deal". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). January 25, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 Garabba, Jonathan (January 25, 2015). "See: Five More Home Games for Pro Indoor Soccer Team the Sacramento Surge". SubMerge (Sacramento, CA). Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  57. ↑ "Box Score: McClellan Park - Sat, Jan 24, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. January 24, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  58. ↑ "Dixon Helps Ganassi Team Take Rolex 24". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). January 26, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  59. ↑ "Box Score: McClellan Park - Sun, Jan 25, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. January 25, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  60. ↑ Riggins, Alex (January 31, 2015). "Teen scores in Sockers rout". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  61. ↑ Calkins, Matt (January 31, 2015). "They changed his life, he changed theirs". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  62. ↑ "Box Score: Valley View Casino Arena - Sat, Jan 31, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. January 31, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  63. ↑ "Blast drops second straight road game, losing to rival Sockers, 7-2". The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, MD: Tribune Publishing). February 8, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  64. ↑ Riggins, Alex (February 8, 2015). "Sockers Handle Blast in Renewal of Rivalry". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  65. ↑ "Box Score: Valley View Casino Arena - Sat, Feb 07, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. February 7, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  66. ↑ "Little League Tells Mayor Decision Final". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). February 13, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  67. ↑ Segal, Shel (February 19, 2015). "Ontario Fury will get ready for first-ever playoff game on March 1". Fontana Herald News (Fontana, CA: Century Group Newspapers). Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  68. ↑ "Box Score: Citizens Business Bank Arena - Thu, Feb 12, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. February 12, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  69. ↑ "Box Score: Orleans Arena - Fri, Feb 13, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. February 13, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  70. ↑ "SOCCER: Fury ends season meekly". The Press-Enterprise (Riverside, CA: A. H. Belo). February 21, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  71. ↑ 71.0 71.1 Riggins, Alex (February 21, 2015). "Sockers win, miss shutout". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  72. ↑ "Box Score: Valley View Casino Arena - Sat, Feb 21, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. February 21, 2015. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  73. ↑ Riggins, Alex (March 7, 2015). "Sockers lack luck vs. Vegas". U-T San Diego (San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings). Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  74. ↑ Carp, Steve (March 9, 2015). "Legends make conference finals in Major Arena Soccer League". Las Vegas Review-Journal (Las Vegas, NV: Stephens Media). Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  75. ↑ "Major Arena Soccer League Announces Division Playoff Formats and Scenarios". Major Arena Soccer League. February 13, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  76. ↑ "Box Score: Valley View Casino Center - Sat, Mar 07, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. March 7, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  77. ↑ "MASL Announces 2014/15 All-League Teams". Major Arena Soccer League. March 9, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  78. ↑ "MASL Announces 2014/15 All-Rookie Team". Major Arena Soccer League. March 5, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  79. ↑ "Gibson a finalist for MVP; four other Comets up for MASL awards". The Examiner (Independence, MO: GateHouse Media). March 13, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2015.

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