Sockers Announce Six Player Signing & Promotion

The San Diego Sockers today announced the signings of midfielder Jamie Lovegrove, defenders Juan Manuel Rojo, Juan Gonzalez, and Jose Gonzalez, midfielder Andy Reyes, and goalkeeper Xavier Snaer-Williams to Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) contracts for the 2021-22 season, as well as the call-up of defender Sean Callahan from SDSockers2 to the parent club for Saturday’s season opener in Tacoma. All moves are effective immediately. Per team and league policy, no further contract information will be released.

“We are excited to bring back some familiar faces, and to welcome new competitors to our club,” said Sockers director of player personnel Chiky Luna, “We have had these players in our training camp, and feel confident all will help contribute to another Ron Newman Cup championship push in 2021-22.”

Jamie Lovegrove, 31, makes his second tour in a Sockers uniform, having worn the crest in 2017-18 when he was a late addition to the squad, scoring three goals in five regular-season games. A veteran with multiple years of service in Dallas and Mesquite, Lovegrove last played in the MASL for the Mesquite Outlaws in 2019-20, leading the team with 17 goals and 26 points in 20 matches played. In his 73-match MASL career, Lovegrove has accrued 77 goals and 108 points, averaging 1.48 points-per-match. A native of Crawley, England, Lovegrove featured for Crawley Town FC before emigrating to the United States. 

Juan Gonzalez, 32, also returns for a second tour of duty in San Diego, having served as a primary defender for the club during the 2018-19 season, scoring six goals with six assists in 20 matches played. Gonzalez has played for Las Vegas, Turlock, Ontario, and San Diego during his 78-match MASL career, scoring (26-28=54) points with 41 shot blocks. His last MASL appearance was with the Cal Turlock Express in 2019-20, scoring (1-4=5) points in 13 matches. Juan is the identical twin brother of Sockers midfielder/defender Felipe Gonzalez. 

Juan Manuel Rojo, 27, last played for the Cal Turlock Express, to whom he was traded from the Sockers prior to the 2019-20 MASL campaign. Rojo had a breakout season with Turlock, scoring (14-8=22) points from the back line as a defender, including a hat trick against his former club the Sockers in a 7-6 season-opening win. Rojo’s MASL career began with Atletico Baja in 2016-17, and continued with the El Paso Coyotes in 2017-18. In 63 career MASL matches, Rojo has accumulated (19-16=35) points and 65 blocked shots. Rojo’s brother, Ismael, is a SDSockers2 player awaiting promotion. 

Jose Gonzalez, 29, has featured as a reserve player for the Ontario Fury over the past several seasons, and played in five Ron Newman Cup playoff matches in 2021 as the Fury advanced to the Finals, losing to the Sockers in three games. In 41 career regular-season matches with Ontario from 2016 to 2019, Gonzalez scored one goal with five assists and 20 blocked shots. Gonzalez is the brother of Sockers midfielder Juan Carlos “Charlie” Gonzalez. 

Andy Reyes, 29, is a San Diego native making his first appearance for the Sockers after playing against them for years as a member of the Ontario Fury. Reyes played in six 2021 MASL regular-season matches for the Fury, netting a pair of goals, He started all 24 matches for Ontario in 2018-19, scoring a career-high (7-4=11) points. In 75 career MASL appearances, Reyes has scored (22-12=34) points with 34 blocked shots. 

Xavier Snaer-Williams, 22, will make his professional indoor soccer debut when he first appears on the field for the Sockers. A native of Oceanside, CA, and graduate of El Camino High School, Snaer-Williams most recently served as the reserve keeper for the U.S. Men’s National Beach Soccer Team and was the youngest member of the travel team selected to attend the World Cup in Russia. Snaer-Williams played for two seasons at San Diego Christian College and trained with the LA Galaxy-SD club. 

Sean Callahan, 29, earns a promotion to the Sockers after serving as a key performer for SDSockers2 during their 2018-19 undefeated run through MASL2, claiming the league championship. Expected to feature as a reserve defender with the top club, Callahan played midfield for Sockers2, scoring (18-5=23) points in 11 matches played. A San Diego native, Callahan attended Sonoma State University, playing for the Division-II Seawolves men’s soccer program. This is Callahan’s first call-up to the MASL. 

The Sockers travel to accesso ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington to battle the Tacoma Stars on Saturday in the MASL season-opener for both sides. The 7pm match will air live on MASL TV on YouTube, and is free to watch. The Sockers will host a watch party at The Dana on Mission Bay, beginning with a supporters summit at 5:30pm. San Diego returns home for the home opener on Sunday, December 19 against Chihuahua Savage, a 5pm kickoff from Pechanga Arena. Tickets are available at sdsockers.com/tickets or by phone at (866) 799-GOAL.