Frustrated SD Sockers Lose To Soles de Sonora at Home
The Western Conference Championships kicked off last night in San Diego as Soles de Sonora beat the San Diego Sockers — while fans packed into the Valley View Casino Center to cheer for their home team, the game was a match lost early on without the ability to mount a successful comeback. .
Related Article: SD Sockers Advance to Western Conference Championships
MASL Soccer News: The San Diego Sockers lost to the Soles de Sonora 7-3 in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
The Soles de Sonora’s fierce defense and quick fire goals defeated the Sockers early on and the San Diego favorites were unable to effectively mount a comeback.
While heartbreaking, it was only the Sockers second loss at home all season and leaves them with a mountain to climb next weekend in Sonora.
It was a frustrating and sad night in San Diego — the dream of going all the way and winning another championship dangling in the arena.
What happened in the arena? Fans cheered for their San Diego Sockers even though the team was down 3-1 at the end of the 1st Quarter — and, by the half, the team was down 4-1.
Opportunities were created opportunity but Sonora Goalkeeper Diego Reynoso was a force stopping the shot, and considered the star of the match with 23 saves and his defense pitched in with 16 blocks. According to the Sockers’ press release, “Reynoso played probably his finest game in goal all season, and it couldn’t have come at a better time for the Soles.”
“It was a tough game. We had our chances and if we take them early, its a different game,” says former Sockers player Chiky Luna.
“We have a lot of work to do, but we have proven that we can win down there in Hermosillo,” added Luna who is now the Director of Player Personnel.
Sockers’ keeper Chris Toth was busy at his end of the arena with an onslaught of action. Soles’ Cristian Segura opened and closed the scoring against the Sockers with two rasping drives into the roof of the net. Toth is a third generation goalkeeper and used to tough games — but this match was a heartbreaker.
Segura’s clutch goals silenced the raucous fans — as the Sockers were mounting their comeback and searching for the all important equalizing goals.
Enrique Canez also scored two goals for the visitors from Hermosillo. Canez goals were just enough to keep the Sockers from playing their brand of tiki-taka indoor soccer.
San Diego was able to pull the score back to 4-3 behind two well-taken goals from Erik Tovar, but Segura’s strike with 5:42 left in the 4th prompted San Diego head coach Phil Salvagio to go to the 6th attacker. Gustavo Rosales and Franck Tayou rolled in empty netters to secure victory for last year’s MASL runners-up.
Up Next: Game 2 kicks off Saturday night at 7:05 MT at the CUM in Sonora, Mexico. You can catch all the action live on MASLtv Youtube Channel. If the Sockers can repeat its feat of last year and beat Sonora in front of it’s home fans, the mini-game will take place 15 minutes after the conclusion of game 2.
How do the San Diego Sockers stack up?
The Sockers are amongst the MASL leaders almost all the team related statistical categories. The Sockers are third in Win Percentage (.688), fourth in Offense (121 – goals scored), second in defense (74 – goals against). Remember when the Sockers set a U.S. pro sports record with the longest winning streak boasting 48 straight wins?
You can catch all the Sockers game live on MASLtv Youtube! Make sure to follow San Diego Sockers on social media @sandiegosockers on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat! #Questfor15
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.sdsockers.com or call (866) 799-4625.
