The San Diego Sockers are back and people are around town are definitely talking.
The Sockers have won 10 indoor championships since their beginning in 1974. Throughout their history, the team has been part of the North American Soccer League (NASL) and the Major Indoor Soccer League and they did it all at the San Diego Sports Arena (now I Pay One).
The 2009-2010 team will play at the Del Mar Arena under the leadership of head coach and former player, Phil Salvagio, and owners David Pike and Carl Savoia. These guys seem to have figured out the perfect way to make the Sockers successful. The Del Mar Arena is undergoing a $14 million facelift and will be completed by early this spring. It should be the perfect venue for what the Indoor Soccer product. The place will have an open roof, 5,000 seats, and reasonable family prices including season ticket packages and military discounts.
I remember going to preschool with a girl who was a daughter of longtime Socker great, Brian Quinn. When I found out he tucked her in every night, it made me love her. After months of asking questions about her dad (probably while finger painting), she finally got him to come and hang out with our class. He came and showed us a few tricks and for my 4-year-old brain, it was too much to handle. But something struck me as very odd at that time. He came to our school wearing a suit. Now, looking back, it is very clear that Brian Quinn, the high scoring player of that time, had a day job. This will still be the case with this incarnation the greatest indoor soccer franchise of all time. The players will play as hard as any Padres or Charger because they love to compete, but they won’t do it for the money, they will do it for the love of the game.
I’ve talked to some die hard soccer fans around town and a lot of them are thrilled that the team is back, but they can’t fathom seeing them up north in Del Mar. One fan told me, referring to The Sports Arena, “That was our Yankee Stadium! That will always be the home of the Sockers.” He was right, but he belonged to the same group of people that complain that the Sockers are always coming and going. Hopefully this November, when the games begin, the glory will return to San Diego.
Sports Radar: Discover 2009 San Diego Padres Predictions.
Insider Tip: It’s time to re-meet your favorite sports bars in San Diego. We recommend the upscale Fleetwood and ALTITUDE Sky Lounge (both right outside PETCO Park), as well as the new FOX Sports Grill (check out pics here), East Village Tavern and Bowl and for those looking for the closest bar to your seat – look no further than Tilted Kilt. Find more San Diego sports bars here.
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