SD Sockers Top Dallas Sidekicks at Home
The San Diego Sockers cruised to a convincing win against the Dallas Sidekicks at Pechanga Arena. The hosts were led by a trio of players that recorded braces on the night. The Sockers have six matches remaining of the 2018/19 Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) regular season.
MASL Soccer News: The San Diego Sockers continued its dominant run with an 8-3 win over the Dallas Sidekicks on Friday night. The home win marks the 15th straight victory for the Pacific Division leaders.
The hosts came ready to play, jumping to a 3-0 lead in the first five minutes of play. Kraig Chiles set up Brian Farber for the easy finish 48 seconds into the match. Just before the four-minute mark, Christian Gutierrez received a pass in stride down the right sideline and hit a strike that deflected off the end line boards into the path of Leonardo De Oliveira for the one-time finish. Less than 30 seconds later, Chiles set up Landon Donovan for his first points of the night.
Dallas found its opening goal in the final minute of the first quarter. After maintaining possession, Fernando Garza sent in a low cross to VcMor Eligwe who crashed the back post for the finish. San Diego found the back of the net one last time in the opening quarter with De Oliveira on the scoring end.
Chiles scored the lone goal of the second quarter with Hiram Ruiz tallying the assist. Ruiz passed the ball to Chiles who rolled the ball with his left foot to the right side of his body, setting up a low strike to the bottom corner.
The Sockers held a 5-1 lead at the end of the first half. San Diego recorded 22 shots on goal, while Dallas tallied eight.
The hosts found the back of the net three minutes into the second half with Juan Gonzalez on the scoring end. Ruiz dribbled to the corner and sent a back-heel pass to a trailing De Oliveira. The forward rolled his foot over the ball and set up Gonzalez at the top of the penalty area for the low strike to the bottom corner.
Chiles extended the Sockers’ lead three minutes later on the power play. Donovan tallied the assist with a strong, timed pass on the ground to the back post for the easy finish by Chiles.
Gonzalez found the back of the net for the Sockers halfway into the third quarter to extend the lead to 8-1.
Eligwe completed his hat-trick on the night with two tallies in the fourth quarter. The visitors were unable to edge the in-stride Sockers, losing the match 8-3.
Chiles led the Sockers with two goals and two assists on the night. De Oliveira scored two goals and tallied one assist, while Gonzalez recorded a brace. The Sockers head on the road to face off against Turlock Express on Friday, March 22, at 7:05 p.m. PT.
