SD Sockers lose to Las Vegas Legends – February 13, 2105
San Diego Sockers fans were used to their favorite indoor MASL team winning – at least that was the experience for many many games – until the last few months. Now, fans can be on the edge of their seat cheering for their team and can’t assume another win. Soccer teams need their 12th player – the fan – to help push to victory, and the Sockers certainly have their loyal followers. Last night’s match was another reason to remember to cheer – as the Sockers lost their winning ways to Las Vegas in a surprise upset and can always benefit from their 12th teammate even more when they lose.
The Las Vegas Legends scored five unanswered goals to close out the second half, rolling past the San Diego Sockers 8-5 at the Orleans Arena. A crowd of 2,311 saw the Legends (12-7) snap San Diego’s nine-game winning streak, erasing deficits of 2-0 and 5-3. For Sockers’ fans it was Friday the 13th.
Ivan Simental scored a pair of goals for Las Vegas to turn an early 2-0 Sockers lead into a 2-2 tie. San Diego regained a 4-3 halftime advantage only to fall under a flurry of blue card penalties, leading to six Legends power plays.
The loss for San Diego (15-4) also brought a pair of scoring streaks to an end for team captain Kraig Chiles, who was held without a point. Chiles had scored a goal in eighteen straight games and a point in a PASL/MASL record 63 straight games.
Brazilian rookie Ney had a goal and assist for the Sockers in the losing cause as did Eduardo Velez. Mike Mercuriali, Dan Antoniuk and Raymundo Reza also scored for San Diego. The Sockers played their third game in six days overall and second in two nights on the road.
The Sockers, having already clinched the MASL Pacific Division title, return home on Saturday, February 21st when they take on the Ontario Fury at 7pm. The first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive a team photo poster on Fan Appreciation Night. The MASL Pacific Division Final will be at home on March 7th, against either the Fury or Legends. The two teams will play on March 1st in a divisional playoff qualifier.
Tickets are available at (866) 799-GOAL, or online at sockers.com.
Diane Scavuzzo is the Editor in Chief and loves her work, family, and soccer not necessarily in that order. Scavuzzo started covering soccer in 2010 and has published over 6,000 articles on the beautiful game.
