Sockers Well Represented In International Friendly
Fourteen San Diego Sockers players will take part in an international arena soccer friendly match between the United States and Mexico on Friday, May 31, 7:30 p.m. at Citizens Business Bank in Ontario, CA. San Diego's Landon Donovan, Kraig Chiles, and Ontario's Jermaine Jones and Franck Tayou headline the U.S. roster. Mexico features Sockers leading scorer Brandon Escoto and defender Cesar Cerda.
Other Sockers playing for the Team USA include Taylor Bond, Brian Farber, and Travis Pittman. San Diego's Christian Gutierrez and Manuel Rojo from the first team join Escoto and Cerda on Mexico's squad. El Tri also features MASL2 Champion Sockers2 members Rene Flores, Uziel Gonzalez, Kevin Pizeno, Ismael Rojo and Raul Sarabia.
US Men's National Team and Major League Soccer veterans Donovan and Jones are the centerpieces of the game which showcases players from six Major Arena Soccer League clubs.
“To get these two US Men's National Team legends to participate in this game is great for the growth of arena soccer,” said USNAST General Manager Bernie Lilavois. “And, to have them representing the United States again against their rivals from Mexico will be a special event for fans of both teams to see.”
San Diego will also be represented behind the bench as the United States team will be coached by head coach Phil Salvagio, while Sockers assistant coach Rene Ortiz will lead Mexico.
The teams are preparing for the third edition of the World Mini Football (WMF) World Cup in Perth, Australia on October 1-11, 2019. In 2017, Mexico lost 3-0 to the Czech Republic in the Final in Tunisia. The U.S. was knocked out of the tournament in the Round of 16 by Mexico 4-3 in overtime.
Tickets for the game, starting at only $10, are on sale now at the Citizens Business Bank Arena box office, through Ticketmaster.com, OntarioFury.com or by calling 909-457-0252.
US NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER
PLAYER POS MASL TEAM
Taylor Bond Mid S.D. Sockers
Kraig Chiles Fwd S.D. Sockers
Landon Donovan Mid S.D. Sockers
Brian Farber Mid S.D. Sockers
Gordy Gurson Mid Florida Tropics
DeBrao Hollimon Def Ontario Fury
Jermaine Jones Fwd Ontario Fury
Nick Perera Fwd Tacoma Stars
Travis Pittman Def S.D. Sockers
Israel Sesay Def Ontario Fury
Justin Stinson Mid Ontario Fury
Franck Tayou Fwd Ontario Fury
Uzi Tayou Def Ontario Fury
Danny Waltman GK Tacoma Stars
COACHING STAFF
Phil Salvagio Head Coach S.D. Sockers
Chiky Luna Ast Coach S.D. Sockers
Bernie Lilavois GM Ontario Fury
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MEXICO NATIONAL TEAM
PLAYER POS MASL TEAM
Cesar Cerda Def S.D. Sockers
Brandon Escoto Mid S.D. Sockers
Rene Flores Mid S.D. Sockers2
Carlos Gonzalez Fwd Ontario Fury
Manuel Gonzalez Def Ontario Fury
Uziel Gonzalez Mid S.D. Sockers2
Christian Gutierrez Def S.D. Sockers
Kevin Pizeno Fwd S.D. Sockers2
Ismael Rojo Def S.D. Sockers2
Manuel Rojo Def S.D. Sockers
Raul Sarabia GK S.D. Sockers2
Robert Tornel Mid Ontario Fury
COACHING STAFF
Rene Ortiz Head Coach S.D. Sockers
Victor Meléndez Ast Coach S.D. Sockers
Luis Borrego Ast Coach Monterrey F