January 22, 2023 – Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) – San Diego Sockers News Release
HARRISBURG, PA – A franchise known for its winning ways has another record-breaking streak to add to its collection.
The San Diego Sockers dismissed the Harrisburg Heat on Sunday afternoon by an 11-3 final score, powered by a five-point match from team captain Kraig Chiles (two goals, three assists). Brian Farber, Christian Gutierrez, Leonardo de Oliveira and Charlie Gonzalez all added two goals apiece as the Sockers (8-0, 23 points) strengthened their hold on first place in the MASL Western Division.
In doing so, the Sockers won their 28th consecutive Major Arena Soccer League regular season match, breaking the league’s previous all-time record of 27 (Missouri/Kansas City Comets, 2014-16). San Diego has also won seventeen straight on the road, and their all-competition win streak is up to twelve in a row (counting playoffs). Dating back to 2021, the Sockers are 45-0-4 in their last 49 contests. The Sockers previously set the all-time U.S. professional sports record for the longest all-competitions winning streak from 2010-13, winning 48 consecutive matches in the Professional Arena Soccer League.
San Diego blew the contest open with three goals in each of the final three quarters. Defender Cesar Cerda collected three assists in the match, and the Sockers were able to pull goalkeeper Boris Pardo with three minutes left in the second quarter, resting the defending MASL Goalkeeper of the Year. Pardo (W, 8-0) earned his 99th career win in the MASL, two more than Baltimore’s William Vanzela for most league wins all-time among goalkeepers.
The first quarter on Sunday began much like Saturday night, with both teams staying behind the ball and playing defensive soccer. San Diego ramped up the pressure late in the frame and was rewarded with the lead. After a pair of near chances, one saved and the other off the post, Cesar Cerda charged in on left wing. His wall pass snuck through into the crease, where Brian Farber was waiting for a simple deflection into an empty net. First match for Farber, first goal of the season and a 1-0 lead at 12:19.
The Sockers used the goal wall to good effect once again in the final minute, with a near-carbon copy play. This time it was Juan Manuel Rojo with a hard pass off the left goal wall, allowed to sneak through defenders to the top of the crease. Leonardo de Oliveira ran on the ball and smashed it past Heat keeper Darian Mccauley at 14:35…