March 29, 2024 – Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release
The San Diego Sockers–presented by Kaiser Permanente San Diego–conclude the 2023-24 regular season schedule when they host the Tacoma Stars on Fan Appreciation Night, the final regular season home match at Pechanga Arena in club history before they move to Frontwave Arena in Oceanside next season. Kickoff on Saturday night is set for 7:05pm, with the match streaming on Twitch channel @masl_soccer.
The Sockers (18-5, 52 points), owners of the best record in MASL history all-time at 167-36-5, have clinched the Western Division regular season crown, a feat they accomplished with three matches left to play. The 24-0 Monterrey Flash have clinched the MASL Supporters Shield for the best regular-season record in the league, so San Diego has nothing but pride, health and form to play for in the final three matches of the regular season.
The Sockers and Tacoma Stars are meeting for the sixth and final time this season. San Diego has won the first five matchups, and has beaten Tacoma in thirteen straight matches. In competition dating back to the MISL, the Sockers own an all-time record of 77-22 against the Stars. In the MASL, San Diego is 34-4 against Tacoma, and 4-0 in playoff series (with an 8-1 playoff match record).
Last weekend, the Sockers played their fourth and final interstate back-to-back of the season, taking on two playoff teams from the Eastern Division. On Friday, March 22, the Sockers held off the Milwaukee Wave 3-2, handing the Wave their only regulation home loss this season. Playing on his 40th birthday, San Diego goalkeeper Boris Pardo was in vintage form, stopping 15-of-17 shots to earn the victory. Leonardo de Oliveira returned to the lineup after missing a month with a knee injury, contributing a goal. Drew Ruggles and Brandon Escoto added goals to the Sockers victory.
The next night was a different story, as the combination of travel from Wisconsin to Missouri, a sellout crowd at Cable Dahmer Arena and a motivated Kansas City side honoring the retirement of all-time leading scorer Leo Gibson added up to a 19-6 win for the host Comets over San Diego. Trailing 2-0 after the first quarter, San Diego rallied their way back into the match and took a 5-4 lead after three quarters. The Comets burst away, scoring six straight goals in the fourth quarter to turn a close match into a rout.
The Sockers will have an eye on the scoreboard and another on the ghosts of past…