The San Diego Sockers have been a perennial powerhouse in both indoor and outdoor soccer the past four decades.
The Sockers that dominated the defunct North American Soccer League in the 1970s through mid 90s, and the defunct Major Indoor Soccer League in the 2000s combined with the newest version of the franchise have raked in 12 titles.
And two of those came the last two years as members of the Professional Arena Soccer League.
The Sockers (1-0, 2 points) have begun work toward a third-straight PASL title after kicking off the 2011-2012 season last week with a 10-6 win against host the Anaheim Bolts, the league's expansion team.
San Diego faces the Bolts again, this time in the Sockers home opener Saturday at the Del Mar Arena.
San Diego will also be looking for their third U.S. Open Cup championship since returning to indoor play two years ago.
This version of the Sockers, which was founded in 2009, picked up where it left off last season, playing a fluid brand of soccer. Leading the way is team veteran and league standout Kraig Chiles, a San Diego State University alumni.
Chiles scored a hat trick and contributed three assists in the fourth quarter while the Sockers scored the five unanswered goals in the win over Anaheim. Eric Wunderle and Biran Farber added two goals each.
For his outing, Chiles was honored as the PASL Player of the Week, the first for the 2011-2012 season.
But facing Anaheim for a second-straight match might not be an easy task for the Sockers coached by Phil Salvagio.
The Bolts matched up nicely with San Diego in the season opener and inaugural match for Anaheim. The Bolts (0-1, 0 points), took the lead six different times before squandering a lead in the fourth quarter.
Anaheim striker Hugo Casillas helped lead a balanced attack for the Bolts. He finished with two goals. Casillas and the experience from veteran forward Enrique Tovar are key points for the Sockers to defend.
Saturday's match will be Anaheims first road match. It will have to deal with adjusting to a larger playing surface at the Del Mar Arena. And it is in that arena that the Sockers plan to unveil its 12 indoor championship banner prior to the match.
Another banner, another reason San Diego could be known for its championships.
ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com
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Game day
What: Indoor Soccer Anaheim Bolts vs. San Diego Sockers
When: Saturday, Nov. 19, 7:05 p.m.
Where: Del Mar Arena
Radio: 1700 AM
Outlook: The Sockers opened the new season last week with a win against Anaheim. This is San Diego's home opener and the first of two home matches before the club travels to Tijuana to face its arch rival Revolución Dec. 9. Tijuana is scheduled to visit the Sockers on Nov. 26, but Anaheim is first on the list. The Bolts are the league's newest team.
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