San Diego Sockers Defeats Guadalajara La Raza to Capture 2011 North American Championship at Del Mar Arena...
The game was a rematch of last year's championship, which the Sockers took 9-8 at Del Mar Arena. In some ways the game was a reverse of last year's game in which La Raza lost their composure and found themselves trailing 6-1 before rallying.
Tonight, the game was close at the half with the Sockers leading just 5-4. The second half is where Guadalajara came unglued and San Diego ran away with the game.
At one point Fernando Camarena pushed Anthony Medina after goalkeeper Eduardo Arevalo fell on a loose ball. Camarena wasn't done, shoving the assistant referee earning himself a red card.
When all was said and done Kraig Chiles put the ball in the net four times and had five goals for the tournament earning the Playoff MVP award, the first time the award did not go to a goalkeeper. Not that Chris Toth, who started yesterday and today's starter Riley Swift weren't deserving.
John Krause had two goals yesterday and used his big body to overpower La Raza with several key blocks and steals. Another standout was Eric Wunderle, who scored maybe the biggest goal in tonight's game. As the ball rolled slowly back to goalkeeper Jesus Flores Wunderle streaked down the side and just kept coming and coming, blocked Flores' clear and beat him in a race back to the goal to knock the ball in on the goal line.
Miguel Vaca was the highest scorer in the tournament with six goals and three assists for nine points.
San Diego, winners of 12 indoor championships, will look to keep the titles flowing on March 19 when they host the Cincinnati Kings in the US Open Final at Del Mar Arena.
About Professional Arena Soccer League and Premier Arena Soccer League
The PASL-Pro is a professional league which began play on October 25, 2008. Now in its third season, the PASL-Pro consists of US teams, the CMISL (Canada), and the LMFR (Mexico). The Tacoma Stars, Revolucion Tijuana, Wenatchee Fire, Kitsap Pumas, Springfield Demize, and Illinois Piasa have been added for the 2010-11 season. The PASL-Premier is in its 13th season as the nation's top amateur arena soccer league. The PASL-Pro and PASL-Premier are members of Federacion Internacional de Futbol Rapido (FIFRA).
