The San Diego Sockers Half Time Alumni 2018 Match
It is always great to see youth soccer coaches on the field playing the game they love — youth soccer players especially love watching their coaches in action — and for the die-hard Sockers’ fans, this is a chance to see some of the great players who have retired go back in the arena to once again make their mark.
The annual San Diego Sockers’ halftime Alumni Match took place last weekend as the team took on and defeated Sonora 7-3.
The former Sockers were divided into two teams, the White and The Blue teams and it was great fun to watch the action. Perhaps the time may have slowed the pace a little bit but the strength of passion was evident as the former pros expertly moved the ball around the arena.
The Blue Team led by coach Guy Newman defeated the White Team 3-1 in a 12-minute game. Vidal Fernandez and Zoltan Toth coached the White Team. Scoring goals were George Katakalidis, Nate Hetherington and Diego Terry. Shawn Beyer scored lone White Team goal.
One of the highlights as seeing the San Diego Sockers’ head coach Phil Salvagio, a former Sockers’ goalkeeper, back in goal defending his net.
Sean Bowers, General Manager of the San Diego Sockers and a former Sockers’ player himself said, “Last night was an amazing night for our organization. The alumni game was a success as we hosted over 30 old timers – including myself – and our both our first team and the D2 team won last night.”
“We had our biggest crowd of the year and I am very proud of where we are as an organization,” said Bowers who showed he still was a force in the arena.
Currently, the Director of Coaching for Encinitas Express, Newman had this to say about the event, “I believe the alumni night is an important event for both the alumni, the club, and the fans alike.”
“We all get to see old friends and get nostalgic and have a laugh at watching a bunch of old guys running up and down the field for times as slow as thirty years ago,” said Newman.
“The important thing to remember is our history, and nobody has a history like the San Diego Sockers.”
“It’s a Special time to share stories from the past, and for all of us to step on the field together once again. Sockers Alumni cherish those priceless memories,” said Nathan Hetherington Sockers alumni, head soccer coach at Cathedral High School.
“It is truly a pleasure and honor to have the legends back home. The fans really look forward to this game year after year,” said Chiky Luna former player, current Sockers Director, Player Personnel.
“Last night was a celebration to honor the great Sockers players from the past, combined with a great performance from the team VS Senora, really made for a great soccer night in San Diego,” said Luna.
It is clear the competitive spirit does not retire when a professional player hangs up his cleats. Former Sockers’ player Scott Martin said, “It’s always fun seeing and playing with guys that played before and with me on the Sockers.”
“The game was a little sloppy with so many guys out on the field but I had a lot of fun,” said Martin who retired recently. “Well, at least for the blue team, since we dominated!”
San Diego Sockers Alumni Blue Team:
JASON HETH, CHIKY LUNA, SCOTT MARTIN, SHANDLEY, PHILLIPS, SHAHIN SAFARIAN, ERIC WUNDERLE, NATE HETHERINGTON, PHIL SALVAGIO, TOBY TAITANO, DIEGO TERRY, WES WADE, GEORGE KATAKALIDIS, CHA CHA NAMDAR, NICK OWCHARUK, RENE ORTIZ, FRANK VIZCARRA, GUY NEWMAN (COACH)
San Diego Sockers Alumni White Team:
SHAWN BEYER, DAVID BELTRAN, TODD BERNARD, SEAN BOWERS, GUS CASTANEDA, TOM CRANE, ANTHONY MEZA, DAVID BANKS, CARLOS BASSO, BEN COLLINS, ALEX “KEDER” FILIPOVIC, RAY TAILA, FELIPE HERNANDEZ, WAAD HIRMEZ, BRIAN QUINN, TONY LOVIT,T VIDAL FERNANDEZ (COACH), ZOLTAN TOTH (COACH)
“It’s so enjoyable to meet up with old teammates but especially the fans that still attend the games, even from our era,” said David Banks, Director of Football for Notts Forest F.C..
