Sockers Acquire Ubiparipovic From Utica City FC

The San Diego Sockers have acquired midfielder Slavisa Ubiparipovic from Utica City FC in exchange for midfielder Christian Segura. Per team and league policies, no further terms of the trade were released.  

“It’s an exciting day when you can acquire one of the top midfield talents in the MASL,” said Sockers general manager Sean Bowers, “Ubiparipovic is going to bring a lot to our lineup and we can’t wait for San Diego to embrace him as we battle for the Ron Newman Cup.”

Ubiparipovic, 31, is entering his ninth season of pro arena soccer, having played the previous eight years with Syracuse (MISL, MASL) and Utica City (MASL). In 2011-12, Slavisa was named the MISL Rookie of the Year with the Silver Knights, scoring 22 goals with 14 assists (36 points) in 24 games played. A model of consistency, Ubiparipovic has netted a total of 138 goals and 120 assists (258 points) in 158 games, an average of 1.63 points per game.

In 2018-19, Ubiparipovic set a career-high with 40 points scored (19 goals, 21 assists) in 19 games, earning All-MASL Third Team honors. “I am very excited to be joining one of the best indoor organizations and playing alongside some of the best players in the league,” said Ubiparipovic of the move, “I hope to help the team win the championship and bring the Ron Newman Cup back to the West Coast.”

A naturalized citizen, Ubiparipovic was selected for Team USA as a starting midfielder for the 2019 WMF World Cup in Australia. He scored two goals with an assist in four matches for Team USA as they reached the tournament’s round of sixteen.

The 5’11” midfielder/forward began his soccer career in his native Bosnia and came to the U.S. in 1999. He was named Ohio State Player of the Year during his senior year in high school in Mentor, OH, and broke the school’s all-time points record. Ubiparipovic went on to play for Xavier University, where he was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team. Slavisa then played for Cleveland State University, where he was named first-team All-Horizon League and NCAA Division I All-Ohio first team. 

Segura, 28, played the 2018-19 MASL campaign with the San Diego Sockers, appearing in 15 contests, with six goals scored and five assists (11 points). Christian appeared in three playoff matches for the Sockers, scoring a critical last-minute game-tying goal against Tacoma during the club’s double-overtime Pacific Division Final victory. In 82 MASL contests, Segura has scored 73 goals with 30 assists (103 points). 

“It’s tough to have to part with a clutch player like Christian Segura, who brought a lot to our side last year,” Bowers commented, “You have to trade quality to receive quality back, and I think both teams will be excited about the players they have received.”

The San Diego Sockers open their 24-game MASL schedule on November 24 when they play host to the California Express. Season and single-game tickets without fees are available by going to sockers.com or by calling 866- 799-GOAL (4625).