March 3, 2024 – Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) – San Diego Sockers News Release
San Diego Sockers’ Uriel Zuart and Chihuahua Savage’s Uriel Zuart in action
(San Diego Sockers)
The San Diego Sockers battled back from a two-goal deficit in the fourth quarter, tied the match against the defending Ron Newman Cup champion Chihuahua Savage 4-4 with 3:40 remaining in the fourth quarter, then saw the Savage instantly answer back on Angel Castro’s unassisted goal just 21 seconds later, good for a 5-4 Chihuahua victory at Pechanga Arena. The Savage (11-5, 32 points) swept all three matches from the Sockers (15-4, 43 points), including two in San Diego.
“Giving up the last goal thereafter we worked so hard coming back, we made some mistakes,” said head coach Phil Salvagio, “At the end of the day (it was) a good game, but overall, still not good enough.”
San Diego had created a two-goal lead, surrendered four straight goals to Chihuahua, then netted twice in the fourth quarter to tie the match 4-4. Before the cheers had faded and the announcement of Flavio Guzman’s equalizer could be shared with the crowd, the Savage were back on top. Angel Castro captured a weak clearance attempt at the mid-wall, found a flat-footed defender, and burst toward the goal wall, creating space to his left. His toe-poke shot snuck between keeper Boris Pardo and the near post, a deflating moment in an otherwise very strong performance (11 saves) for the veteran keeper.
The match turned on a controversial call with 2:28 remaining in the second quarter. Sockers forward Tavoy Morgan and veteran Chihuahua defender Gustavo Rosales got tied up in front of the Savage net. Morgan asserted his was bit and pinched by Rosales, dropping him to his knees. As he got up and pushed to the edge of the crease to try and capture a pass, Rosales tackled him to the turf. No foul was called. Rosales then wrapped his right arm around Morgan’s right leg, refusing to let go. As Morgan tried to shake himself free, Rosales continued to cling to and hold the leg. The officials gave a blue card to both players, asserting Morgan had kicked Rosales. Head coach Phil Salvagio threw a challenge flag, but the officials said they could not find conclusive video evidence to change their decision.
“There was a hold and a kick, but what they really missed was the bite mark,” said Salvagio, “I could see it on his skin.”
While the Sockers were arguing with the officials, the Savage started to take control of the around for…