2013–14 San Diego Sockers season

The 2013–14 San Diego Sockers season was the fifth season of the San Diego Sockers professional indoor soccer club. The San Diego Sockers, a Pacific Division team in the Professional Arena Soccer League and the 2012–13 league champion, 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. The Sockers finished the regular season 2nd in the Pacific Division with a 13–3 record, qualifying for the post-season but lost to the Las Vegas Legends in the Division Final.

San Diego Sockers
2013–14 PASL season
General ManagerJohn Kentera
Head CoachPhil Salvagio
ArenaValley View Casino Center
3500 Sports Arena Boulevard
San Diego, California 92110
Professional Arena Soccer League2nd, Pacific
Ron Newman CupDivision Final
US Open CupRound of 16
Highest home attendance5,658 (November 9 vs. Dallas Sidekicks)
Lowest home attendance3,416 (December 21 vs. Turlock Express)
Average home league attendance4,272 (8 games)[1]

Season summary

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The team struggled from the start of the season, dropping home games to the Dallas Sidekicks and the Monterrey Flash, snapping the San Diego franchise's long-running home winning streak. The Sockers then won 7 consecutive games, including 5 on the road, before surrendering an unprecedented 12 goals and falling to the Las Vegas Legends at home on January 11. The team won their last 6 regular season games to finish with a 13–3 record and qualified for postseason play. They defeated Tijuana-based Toros Mexico in the Pacific Division Semifinal but fell 7–11 to the Las Vegas Legends in the Division Final.

The San Diego Sockers participated in the 2013–14 United States Open Cup for Arena Soccer starting with a Round of 32 victory over the Ontario Fury on December 28, 2013, to advance to the Round of 16 where they lost to the Las Vegas Legends 9–12 on January 11.

History

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This is the third professional soccer franchise to use the "San Diego Sockers" name.[2] The original Sockers were founded in 1978 and played in the North American Soccer League, original Major Indoor Soccer League, and the Continental Indoor Soccer League before ceasing operations in 1996.[3] The second Sockers were briefly revived for the World Indoor Soccer League in 2001 and transitioned to the Major Indoor Soccer League II in 2002 before folding in 2004.[4][5]

The current Sockers were founded in 2009 and played their first three seasons at the Chevrolet Del Mar Arena in Del Mar, California, before moving to Valley View Casino Center before the 2012–13 season.[6] The VVCC, then known as the San Diego Sports Arena, hosted the indoor games of both of the previous Sockers franchises.[3][5]


Roster moves

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Veteran player Aaron Susi announced in late February 2014 that he would retire from arena soccer after the end of the Sockers' season.[7]

Awards and honors

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On December 17, 2013, the Professional Arena Soccer League named forward Kraig Chiles as the PASL Player of the Week. The league cited his resurgent scoring efforts, including five goals and two assists in the previous weekend's road games.[8]

On January 7, 2014, the PASL named midfielder Brian Farber as the league's Player of the Week. The league cited his leadership and scoring efforts, including five goals and one assist, in his team's road win over Toros Mexico.[9]

On January 28, 2014, the PASL named Kraig Chiles as its Player of the Week for the second time this season. The league cited his league-leading scoring efforts and four game-winning goals in bestowing the repeat honors.[10]

On February 26, 2014, the PASL announced its "All-League" honors. Forward Kraig Chiles was named to the All-League First Team while defender Evan McNeley and goalkeeper Chris Toth were named to the All-League Honorable Mention list.[11]

Schedule

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  Win   Loss

Regular season

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Game Day Date Kickoff Opponent Results Location[12] Attendance
Score Record
1 Saturday November 9 7:05pm Dallas Sidekicks L 3–5[13][14] 0–1 Valley View Casino Center[15] 5,658[16]
2 Saturday November 16 7:05pm Monterrey Flash L 5–6 (SO)[17] 0–2 Valley View Casino Center 3,922[18]
3 Friday November 22 7:05pm at Turlock Express W 6–3[19] 1–2 Turlock Soccer Complex 730[20]
4 Saturday November 23 7:05pm at Sacramento Surge W 11–4 2–2 Estadio Azteca Soccer Arena 246[21]
5 Thursday December 12 7:05pm at Ontario Fury W 8–6[22][23] 3–2 Citizens Business Bank Arena 1,210[24]
6 Sunday December 15 3:05pm at Las Vegas Legends W 7–5[25] 4–2 Orleans Arena 1,106[26]
7 Saturday December 21 7:05pm Turlock Express W 9–6[27] 5–2 Valley View Casino Center 3,416[28]
8 Saturday December 28 7:05pm Ontario Fury W 13–5[29][30] 6–2 Valley View Casino Center 3,683[31]
9 Sunday January 5 1:05pm at Toros Mexico W 12–7 7–2 UniSantos Park 388[32]
10 Saturday January 11 7:05pm Las Vegas Legends L 9–12[33][34] 7–3 Valley View Casino Center 4,734[35]
11 Saturday January 18 7:05pm Bay Area Rosal W 13–1[36] 8–3 Valley View Casino Center 3,728[37]
12 Sunday January 19 4:05pm at Ontario Fury W 6–5[38] 9–3 Citizens Business Bank Arena 1,860[39]
13 Saturday January 25 7:05pm at Saltillo Rancho Seco W 12–4[40] 10–3 Deportivo Rancho-Seco Saltillo[41] 200[42]
14 Sunday January 26 5:05pm at Monterrey Flash W 8–6[43][44] 11–3 Arena Monterrey 4,891[45]
15 Saturday February 1 7:05pm Toros Mexico W 6–5[46] 12–3 Valley View Casino Center 4,954[47]
16 Sunday February 9 3:05pm Ontario Fury W 10–3[48] 13–3 Valley View Casino Center 4,092[49]

† Game also counts for US Open Cup, as listed in chart below.

Post-season

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Round Day Date Kickoff Opponent Results Location Attendance
Score Record
Pacific Division Semifinal Saturday February 22 7:05pm Toros Mexico W 7–4[50] 1–0 Valley View Casino Center 4,116[51]
Pacific Division Final Saturday March 1 7:05pm at Las Vegas Legends L 7–11[52][53] 1–1 Las Vegas Sports Park[54] 711[55]
Game Day Date Kickoff Opponent Results Location[12] Attendance
Score Record
Round of 32 Saturday December 28 7:05pm Ontario Fury W 13–5[29][30] 1–0 Valley View Casino Center 3,683[31]
Round of 16 Saturday January 11 7:05pm Las Vegas Legends L 9–12[33] 1–1 Valley View Casino Center 4,734[35]

References

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  1. ^ "2013-14 League Attendance". Professional Arena Soccer League. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  2. ^ Leonard, Tod (November 3, 2012). "Sockers make return to historic home". San Diego Union-Tribune. Escondido, CA. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  3. ^ a b Calkins, Matt (November 26, 2012). "Sockers hoping future can rival that of the past". North County Times. Escondido, CA. Archived from the original on December 1, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  4. ^ "The San Diego Sockers: A Dynasty Reborn". San Diego Sockers. Archived from the original on December 4, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
  5. ^ a b Pinella, Bill (February 18, 2014). "Sockers aren't going anywhere soon". U-T San Diego. San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  6. ^ Hiro, Brian (June 11, 2012). "SOCCER: San Diego Sockers leaving Del Mar to return to old Sports Arena". North County Times. Escondido, CA. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  7. ^ Howard, John (February 27, 2014). "Sockers' Susi to retire after playoffs". San Diego, CA: KFMB-TV. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  8. ^ "Professional Arena Soccer League Update". Our Sports Central. December 17, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  9. ^ "Professional Arena Soccer League Update". Our Sports Central. January 7, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  10. ^ "Professional Arena Soccer League Update". Our Sports Central. January 28, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  11. ^ "PASL Announces All-League Teams for 2013/14 Season". Professional Arena Soccer League. February 26, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  12. ^ a b "San Diego Sockers Schedule". Professional Arena Soccer League. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  13. ^ Leonard, Tod (November 9, 2013). "Sockers' 46-game home streak snapped". U-T San Diego. San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  14. ^ Marshall, Raymond (November 10, 2013). "Sidekicks Exorcize Ghosts of San Diego, Win 5-3 Over Sockers". The Dallas Morning News. Dallas, TX. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  15. ^ Leonard, Tod (November 8, 2013). "Sockers begin bid for fifth straight title". U-T San Diego. San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  16. ^ "Box Score: Valley View Casino Arena - Sat, Nov 09, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. November 9, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  17. ^ Riggins, Alex (November 17, 2013). "Sockers Suddenly On A Home Losing Streak". U-T San Diego. San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  18. ^ "Box Score: Valley View Casino Arena - Sat, Nov 16, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. November 16, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  19. ^ Ruiz, Eddie (November 22, 2013). "Turlock Express pick up first loss of season". Turlock Journal. Turlock, CA: Morris Multimedia. Archived from the original on December 4, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  20. ^ "Box Score: Turlock Indoor Soccer - Fri, Nov 22, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. November 30, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  21. ^ "Box Score: Estadio Azteca Soccer Arena - Sat, Nov 23, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. November 23, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  22. ^ "Ontario Fury professional soccer team loses to San Diego; next home game will be Sunday, Dec. 15". Fontana Herald News. Fontana, CA: Century Group Newspapers. December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  23. ^ "Ontario's Furious Comeback Falls Short Against Sockers, 8-6". Highland Community News. Highland, CA: Century Group Newspapers. December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  24. ^ "Box Score: Citizens Business Bank Arena - Thu, Dec 12, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. December 12, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  25. ^ "Hurt White Drops Out of Olympic Qualifier". U-T San Diego. San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings. December 16, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  26. ^ "Box Score: Orleans Arena - Sun, Dec 15, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. December 15, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  27. ^ Carter, Ivan (December 22, 2013). "Sockers Overcome Shaky Start to Defeat Turlock". U-T San Diego. San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
  28. ^ "Box Score: Valley View Casino Arena - Sat, Dec 21, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. December 21, 2013. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  29. ^ a b Riggins, Alex (December 28, 2013). "Sockers crush Ontario Fury". U-T San Diego. San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
  30. ^ a b Segal, Shel (January 1, 2014). "Ontario pro hockey team wins in Alaska and will return home on Sunday, Jan. 5". Fontana Herald News. Fontana, CA: Century Group Newspapers. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  31. ^ a b "Box Score: Valley View Casino Arena - Sat, Dec 28, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. December 28, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
  32. ^ "Box Score: Unisantos Park - Sun, Jan 05, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. January 5, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  33. ^ a b Riggins, Alex (January 12, 2014). "Sockers Fall to New Rival: Las Vegas Legends". U-T San Diego. San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  34. ^ "Las Vegas Legends top San Diego Sockers, 12-9". Boxscore. New York, NY: Stryker-Indigo Media. January 13, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  35. ^ a b "Box Score: Valley View Casino Arena - Sat, Jan 11, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. January 11, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  36. ^ Riggins, Alex (January 19, 2014). "Sockers Offense Comes Alive in Easy Win". U-T San Diego. San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
  37. ^ "Box Score: Valley View Casino Arena - Sat, Jan 18, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. January 18, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  38. ^ Segal, Shel (January 23, 2014). "Ontario pro soccer team loses heartbreaker; hockey team wins OT thriller". Fontana Herald News. Fontana, CA: Century Group Newspapers. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  39. ^ "Box Score: Citizens Business Bank Arena - Sun, Jan 19, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. January 19, 2014. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
  40. ^ "Garcia Takes Qatar Masters Title". U-T San Diego. San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings. January 26, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  41. ^ Tovar, Miguel Ángel (January 23, 2014). "Aún con posibilidades camino a los playoffs". El Diario de Coahuila (in Spanish). Coahuila. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  42. ^ "Box Score: Deportivo Rancho-Seco Saltillo - Sat, Jan 25, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. January 25, 2014. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  43. ^ "Barbosa Clinches Win for Action Express at Daytona". U-T San Diego. San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings. January 27, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  44. ^ Carvajal, Jesus (January 26, 2014). "Pierde Flash invicto como local". Periódico AM (in Spanish). Compañía Periodística Meridiano. Archived from the original on February 20, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  45. ^ "Box Score: Arena Monterrey - Sun, Jan 26, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. January 26, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  46. ^ Riggins, Alex (February 2, 2014). "Chiles reaches PASL milestone in Sockers win". U-T San Diego. San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  47. ^ "Box Score: Valley View Casino Arena - Sat, Feb 01, 2014". Professional Arena Soccer League. February 1, 2014. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  48. ^ Segal, Shel (February 13, 2014). "Ontario's pro hockey team wins, but soccer team loses". Fontana Herald News. Fontana, CA: Century Group Newspapers. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  49. ^ "Box Score: Valley View Casino Arena - Sun, Feb 09, 2014". Professional Arena Soccer League. February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  50. ^ Riggins, Alex (February 23, 2014). "Sockers win, set up rematch at Vegas". U-T San Diego. San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
  51. ^ "Box Score: Valley View Casino Center - Sat, Feb 22, 2014". Professional Arena Soccer League. February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  52. ^ Riggins, Alex (March 2, 2014). "Sockers' run of titles ends in Vegas". U-T San Diego. San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  53. ^ Carp, Steve (March 2, 2014). "Legends put away Sockers, advance to PASL semifinals". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Las Vegas, NV: Stephens Media. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  54. ^ Riggins, Alex (March 11, 2014). "Sockers finally have a rival in the PASL". U-T San Diego. San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
  55. ^ "Box Score: Las Vegas Sports Park - Sat, Mar 01, 2014". Professional Arena Soccer League. March 1, 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
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