Sockers Acquire GK William Vanzela On Loan From Blast

SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego Sockers today announced the signing of goalkeeper William Vanzela to a MASL contract for the 2021 season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, as per league and club policy. 

Vanzela, 35, comes to the Sockers on loan from the Baltimore Blast, who announced in recent weeks that they would be unable to participate in the 2021 MASL season. A four-time MISL and MASL champion in net with Baltimore, Vanzela’s .763 career save percentage (SV%) ranks tops among active goalkeepers. In 2019-20, his eighth indoor campaign, Vanzela started 22 games for the Blast, posting a 15-7 record with a 4.48 goals-against average (GAA) and .706 SV%, including a pair of shutouts. 

“We are always looking for ways to improve our club, and adding Vanzela to team up with Boris (Pardo) in net was a natural fit,” said Sockers director of player personnel Chiky Luna, “We have an all-MASL keeper in Pardo, and now also in Vanzela. With so many tough road weeks ahead, having two great keepers is critical."

An all-MASL Honorable Mention in 2019-20, Vanzela was the MASL Goalkeeper of the Year in 2015, and the MASL Championship MVP in 2017. He’s twice been named to the all-MASL Second Team. The native of Cascavel, Brazil is expected to be available for selection this weekend.

The Sockers begin a unique road-only 2021 campaign on Friday when they take on the Kansas City Comets (1-4) at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, Missouri, a 5:05pm PST kickoff. The Sockers are playing away from home all season due to state and local public health restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 MASL season asks clubs to complete a minimum of 12 and maximum of 24 games by mid-April, with the schedule being announced month-by-month as conditions warrant. 

San Diego will continue their road trip on Sunday afternoon when they travel to Texas to take on the Dallas Sidekicks, a 1:05pm kickoff from the Allen Events Center. All 2021 MASL contests are being aired on the Major Arena Soccer League Facebook page, as pay-per-view events. Fees are $7.99 for a single-game broadcast, or $74.99 for all regular season games. Signups are available at facebook.com/MASLsoccer/events.