SD Sockers Prepare for 2016 MASL Campaign
With the 2016/17 MASL season starting just one month away, the San Diego Sockers are in full swing, preparing for the upcoming arena soccer action. Open tryouts were held and new community events are kicking off in October. San Diego’s soccer champions, the Sockers, are looking to regain their supreme dominance in the MASL. Last season the Sockers fell in the Pacific Division Final to Soles de Sonora and this year they are promising their fans great action and hopefully another championship ring.
MASL Soccer News: The San Diego Sockers are gearing up for the 2016/17 Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) season with their opening match set for October 29th versus Turlock Express at the Valley View Casino Center.
With just over a month to go until the club’s opening match, the Sockers are in full preparation for the season with various events held until their 2016 kickoff.
The Sockers began the 2016/17 campaign with their annual open tryouts held at the beginning of month. The one-day event welcomed over 50 players to the Sockers Indoor Center, including individuals from local semi-professional clubs North County Battalion and Albion SC Pros of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).
“San Diego has really good soccer talent. We identified a couple young players that can develop and learn the indoor game,” says Sockers General Manager Sean Bowers.
“Sockers are a different caliber of player — historically, we have been able to develop open tryout players into first team players,” says Bowers.
Developing homegrown talent is what America’ finest soccer city is all about. With more youth soccer clubs per square inch than any other county we know of, San Diego has a flourishing soccer culture that aims to bring the dream of becoming a professional soccer player into a reality.
“This year should prove to be no different with the caliber of players who tried out,” says Bowers. “Being identified and selected to work with our organization is a great opportunity for any player.”
Notable standouts of the event included former San Jose Earthquakes draft pick Jake Hustedt; Spanish international Pablo Velasquez and Yuki Hata who has experience playing with San Diego Zest FC and NC Battalion.
Other players invited to train with the team include:
- Danny Medina
- Cesar Castillo
- Drew Dinsmore
- Leo Fernandez (Brazilian native)
- Tim Lierman
- Chris Navarro (Albion Pros)
- Renato Sanchez (Albion Pros)
- Jonathan Zurita (Albion Pros)
Upcoming Community Events
The Sockers will be taking their talents to the outdoor pitch in a preseason charity matchup versus North County Battalion with benefits donated to the The Challenged Athletes Foundation®.
The match is scheduled for Sunday, October 9th at Del Norte High School with kickoff is set for 12:20 p.m. PT. Tickets will be sold for $2 with earnings donated to the Challenged Athletes Foundation.
The Sockers will also be hosting Pro-Am Footgolf Tournament on October 15th in partnership with local organization FootGolf San Diego.
The tournament will be played at Mission Bay Golf Course with each group of four receiving a chance to play with a current Sockers star, win sponsored prizes and get exclusive access to the entire team.
For more information on the tournament please click here.
