If there is a more important series of matches for the San Diego Sockers other than the playoffs, this might be it.
San Diego has back-to-back games in Tacoma on Friday and Saturday and they could be very significant.
The Sockers (9-2) can clinch their second-straight Premier Arena Soccer League Western Division title with two wins against the Stars (8-4).
It is an opportunity the Sockers are looking to take advantage of coming off a 13-6 win against border rival Tijuana Revolución last Saturday.
Veteran Paul Wright scored four goals and added two assists for San Diego in what he called a special night for him.
"That was really pretty special," said Wright, who sat out the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury. "I had a lot of energy, was working hard and staying busy, and good things happened."
A Del Mar Arena-record crowd of 3,120 got to see Wright rake in five of his points in the first half, when the Sockers had an 8-1 lead.
Wright's shoulder injury has been a lingering one but he expects to play against Tacoma this weekend.
Both matches at Tacoma are San Diego's final two regular season road games. The Sockers are scheduled to finished the season with three consecutive home matches at the Del Mar Arena against Tijuana (Feb. 12), California (Feb. 19) and Edmonton (Feb. 26).
Saturday's game is also the semifinal game of the U.S. Open. The winner will host the final in March.
But Tacoma could gain ground on the Sockers and put themselves in a position to win the division, as well, with two wins against San Diego in PASL-Pro play.
It should make for an interesting end-of-the-season run.
Below are the Western Division standings.
W-L-T
San Diego Sockers 9-2-0
Tacoma Stars 8-4-0
Tijuana Revolución 5-6-0
California Cougars 3-9-0
