Sockers Travel to Tacoma for Final Regular Season Game

(March 3, 2017) The San Diego Sockers will close out the 2016-17 Major Arena Soccer League regular season against playoff hopeful Tacoma Stars. The Showare Center is expected to be at near capacity for the Stars final regular season game.

The Sockers have solidified their spot as Pacific Division Champions. Forward captain Kraig Chiles has started to find his championship form, scoring 13 goals in his last four games. Chiles’ goal scoring form, coupled with the MASL’s 2^nd best defense can provide a perfect recipe for a deep playoff run.

The Sockers will be looking for a positive result to carry the momentum into the playoffs.

However, they will have to face the Stars who are clinging to their playoff hopes. The Stars face a must win game and hope the Ontario Fury lose in Turlock on Friday to clinch the final playoff berth.

The need to win was not a predicament the Stars thought they would be in at this point of the season. The Stars were leading the Pacific Division through January 20^th, but then they hit the road. Since January 28^th, the Stars have lost 6 of the last 7 games and find themselves behind the surging Ontario Fury.

Coach Phil Salvagio has recently rotated his squad in a bid to keep his team fresh for the playoffs. Notable veterans like Captain Ze Roberto, Brain Farber and Victor Quiroz have each been held out of recent games. Defender Eli Galbraith-Knapp, Defender Johnny Topete and Goalkeeper Boris Pardo have also seen increased playing time as of late.

Look for the Sockers to find a way to win in Tacoma and keep the momentum going into the playoffs.

The Sockers will host its home leg of the Pacific Division series on March 12th. There will be a celebrity match at half-time highlighted by former U.S. Men’s national team and Major League Soccer’s all-time leading soccer, Landon Donovan.

Fans can get their playoff tickets now by going to www.sdsockers.com or by calling 1-866-799-GOAL (4625).