Sockers Seek to Control Destiny

(January 6, 2017) Rivalry. Revenge. A must win. All terms being used to describe Sunday’s rematch between the San Diego Sockers and the Ontario Fury. Sunday’s highly anticipated rematch will be at the Valley View Casino Center, with kickoff scheduled for 5:05pm 

Last week, the Sockers prevailed 10-6 at Citizens Business Bank Arena with history being made. Forward Kraig Chiles scored his 299th and 300th career goals to become the Sockers All-Time Leading Goalscorer. Kraig Chiles will be honored prior to the match for his record-breaking career achievement.

Also last week, the Ontario Fury were the first Pacific Division team to taste defeat at home during the 2016-17 Major Arena Soccer League season. It was an especially painful defeat because it came against rivals and division leaders the San Diego Sockers. This Sunday, the Fury hope to return the favor, get a win against the Sockers and stay in the hunt for the playoffs.

Now that the Sockers have passed the halfway point in the season, every game will be treated as a playoff type game on the #questfor15.

Everyone in the Sockers organization knows it is going to be a hard fought match with potentially playoff implications. No one understands this more than former player and current Director of Player Personnel Miguel “Chiky” Luna. 

It’s a big game…for us it’s a must win game…A chance to take control of the division. We know it’s going to be an intense game and they (Fury) will come out firing. We need to stay focused and continue to control our destiny at the top of the division. –Chiky Luna

The Sockers will continue to look to the highflying trio of Kraig Chiles, Matt Clare and Max Touloute to provide the points for the home team. Veteran defenders Ze Roberto, Victor Quiroz and new signing Felipe Gonzalez will provide the blockade in front of the imperious goalkeeper Chris Toth. The Sockers goalkeeper continues to lead the league in Save Percentage (.791) and is amongst the best in Goals Against Average.

For the Fury, Captain Marcelo Salles and former Sockers forward Nick Perera will carry the bulk of Ontario’s hopes for a road victory.  Perera was especially dangerous last week, scoring two quality goals to put his team in front.

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