Sockers player Kraig Chiles work the boards.

^{Photo by Dan McLellan}

“We want to develop great quality soccer players in San Diego,” says San Diego Sockers general manager John Kentera. He also wants the experience of a Sockers game to be memorable, so fans will return another night. With this goal in mind, Kentera instructs Sockers players to kick the game ball into the stands following each Sockers goal.

“We are going to make that part of Soccer Night in San Diego.” says Kentera. “It is something that has been a tradition with the Sockers.”

Another tradition is winning. The Sockers improved to 3-0 on the season last Saturday with an 8-4 victory over their Western Division rivals, the California Cougars of Stockton. It was the first game that brought back the old tradition and eight balls sailed out of the arena and into the crowd.

“The way we keep scoring goals, I don’t know if it is going to be in the budget for the entire year,” jokes Kentera. “No, we are going to continue to kick balls into the stands.”

Kentera hopes that if a child is fortunate enough to catch a ball and bring it home that it will create a memory that will bring the entire family back and the child will use the ball when they get home. “Get them to play in their front yard or go kick the ball with their dad to continue to develop their soccer skills,” says Kentera. Hopefully, this encourages the development of the next generation of Sockers players.

Many of the current Sockers players are San Diego natives. However it was Majell Alterado, a player Kentera signed away from the Cougars this offseason, that earned Player of the Week Status this past week for his performance against his former team.

Alterado scored back-to-back goals late in the 3rd and early in the 4th quarter to break open a close game. Kraig Chiles scored two goals and had an assist to add to the Sockers offense.

“It felt great, especially against my former team,” says Aterado. “I knew I needed to step up and play a better game and it was good to help out.”

Now Alterado and the rest of his Sockers teammates promise to kick more balls into the stands this Saturday night when they turn their attention to the PASL-Pro Eastern Division, as the Louisville Lightning come to the Del Mar Arena on December 4 at 6:15 p.m.

Saturday is Military Appreciation Night and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation will be on hand collecting new unwrapped toys to distribute to needy children in the area. So, if you are an adult that catches a ball, seek out a Marine and they will make sure that soccer ball goes to good use this holiday season.

(To see a video of Sockers action, go to: SOCKERS.)

PASL-Pro Western Division Standings

San Diego Sockers 3-0

Revolucion Tijuana 2-0

Tacoma Stars 1-2

California Cougars 0-3