Goalkeeper Diego Arriaga Joins Sockers

The San Diego Sockers today announced the signing of goalkeeper Diego Arriaga to a Major Arena Soccer League contract for the 2019-20 season and beyond, pending visa approval. The five-year contract will secure Arriaga’s rights to the Sockers through the 2023-24 campaign. As per team policy, terms of the contract will not be disclosed. 

“The Sockers have a great tradition in our league, they are always fighting for the title, and San Diego is an amazing city,” said Arriaga of his choice to join the club, “I will contribute everything I have to make the Sockers champions and to show why I was chosen.”

Arriaga, 30, played his second professional indoor soccer season and first as a full-time starter in 2018-19, featuring in 20 matches for the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Barracudas. The 5’7”, 165 pounder finished the 2018-19 regular season with a 15-3-2 record, 4.26 goals against average (GAA), and .737 save percentage (SV%). Among league leaders, Arriaga ranked third in SV% (.737), and fourth in wins (15) and GAA (4.26). The keeper was honored as the starting goalie for the MASL Team of the Week for match weeks 8 and 9. In two playoff contests, Arriaga was 0-1-1 with a 4.95 GAA and .744 SV%.

“We saw Arriaga twice last year (playing against the Sockers) and thought he and (recent Sockers signee Emmanuel) Aguirre were why the RGV defense was so strong,” said Sockers director of player personnel Chiky Luna, “Arriaga is great with his feet, quick and skillful. We think he and (reigning MASL Goalkeeper of the Year) Boris Pardo will combine to be the best 1-2 punch in the MASL in net.”

Born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico, Arriaga began his professional play in the Monterrey Flash system, serving as backup keeper for the club’s 2014-15 MASL Ron Newman Cup championship run. Last season was his first as a full-time keeper. Diego is in a relationship but not yet married.

The Sockers will renew their quest for a MASL championship in the 2019-20 season, with the league’s official start date scheduled for November 22. The league schedule is expected to be out soon. For information on the Sockers, season ticket memberships and more, please visit SDSockers.com.