Sidekicks Drop Season Finale to Sockers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE        
Paul Donaghy
469-393-0162
paul@dallassidekicks.org

Allen, Texas (March 20, 2021)– The Dallas Sidekicks lost at home against the San Diego Sockers 9-4 in their final MASL regular season game of the season. The Sidekicks next game is on Wednesday, March 24th in California as they play the Ontario Fury in the first round of the Ron Newman Cup playoffs. Dallas returns to the Allen Event Center next Sunday, March 28th, 2021 at 3:00PM CT in the second and final leg of round-one wrapping up the home-and-home series against the Fury.

The Sidekicks would have a couple of chances early on "Brazilian Carnival Night" with a couple of Brazilians, Freddy Moojen and Lipe, each coming close to getting Dallas on the board first but neither finding the back of the net. Julio Varela, however, would indeed put Dallas in the lead first with a goal with just over two minutes left in the quarter after an assist from Gustavo Piedra. Varela's fifth goal of the season would be the only score of the first quarter.

The second quarter would start with San Diego with a man advantage after a Josh Hernandez tripping call but Dallas would score a short handing goal within 12 seconds on Kristian Quintana's first goal of the season. Quintanta took a Juan Gambo pass, flicked it with his head over the defender and piped a shot to the upper-90 far post. Perhaps the new pink hair inspired him. Julio Varela would rip a shot from just inside the white line beating Sockers goalie Boris Pardo for his second goal of the game putting the Sidekicks up 3-0.

San Diego would get on the board with a goal from Tavoy Morgan near the midway point of the second quarter. The Socker's Leonardo De Oliveira would score a pair of goals in the final four minutes of the half to tie the score at 3-3.

After a half-time performance by Brazilian dancers and dance troops from Frisco, McKinney and Allen the game would resume. The Sidekick's most experience Brazilian, Freddy Moojen, would put Dallas back on top 4-3 after four-and-a-half minutes and celebrate with the approving crowd. A handball by goalie Juan Gamboa outside of the box would result in a penalty kick for the Sockers which would be converted by Kraig Chiles to once again even the score which is where things would stand heading into the final quarter.

The final quarter would start well for the visitors as Brandon Escoto would knock in a rebound past Juan Gamboa to give San Diego their first lead of the game two-and-a-half minutes into the fourth. The game would start becomming more physical as the intensity level picked up with the game on the line. The Sockers would double the lead at the 8:21 mark on Kraig Chiles second goal of the match. His third goal would come with just over five minutes left in the game pushing the game to 7-4. After Dallas put on the sixth attacker, San Diego's Cesar Cerda would double up Dallas 8-4 as the Sidekicks were pushing hard for a goal. Christian Gutierrez would also grab a goal for San Diego as Dallas continued with the sixth attacker to wrap up the game at 9-4.

Be sure to catch the Sidekicks next home game as they host the Ontario Fury in the first round of the MASL playoffs next Sunday, March  28th at 3:00pm at the Allen Event Center. Playoff tickets can be purchased by calling the Sidekicks at 469-393-0160. This will mark the final Sidekicks home game of the season regardless as the league semi-finals and finals will take place in Kansas City.

MASL Match Report
Match: Dallas Sidekicks vs San Diego Sockers
Date: March 20, 2021
Venue: Allen Event Center; Allen, TX
Kickoff: 7:00PM CT
Broadcast: Channel TXA21 and on the MASL Facebook Live Page

ABOUT THE DALLAS SIDEKICKS
The Dallas Sidekicks is an American professional indoor soccer team of the Major Arena Soccer League. The organization was established in 1983, is headquartered in Allen, Texas, and plays all home games at the Allen Event Center. Follow the Sidekicks at www.dallassidekicks.com and on their social media.
Facebook: @gosidekicksofficial Twitter: @gosidekicks Instagram: @gosidekicksofficial

ABOUT THE MAJOR ARENA SOCCER LEAGUE
The Major Arena Soccer Leaguerepresents the highest level of professional arena soccer in the world. The MASL features teams across North America, with teams playing coast-to-coast in the United States and Mexico. The MASL is currently incorporated as a 501(c)6 not for profit corporation formed to promote the business and sport of arena soccer.