The San Diego Sockers—presented by Kaiser Permanente—kick off their twelfth Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) campaign on Friday, November 28, when they host the Empire Strykers at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California. The match begins at 7:35 PM PT and will air on the CBS Sports Golazo Network, with replay coverage on YouTube. Fans in Mexico can watch on FOX Sports 2, while international viewers can follow the action on Sportworld or Unbeaten Network.
League Outlook
The MASL begins its twelfth season with an eight-team, single-table format. Three-time defending champion Chihuahua departed the league during the offseason, while the Harrisburg Heat paused operations as they prepare to transition into a new arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The Dallas Sidekicks and Texas Outlaws have also paused participation for 2025-26.
The top six teams will qualify for the Ron Newman Cup Playoffs, with the top two earning byes. All rounds will be best-of-three series, with a 15-minute knockout period used as a deciding third game in the first two rounds. The Finals will play a full three-game format if necessary and if venue availability allows.
Sockers Season Recap & Outlook
San Diego finished the 2024-25 season with a 20-4 record, two points shy of the Supporters Shield behind Chihuahua. The Sockers went a perfect 15-0 at Frontwave Arena across regular season and playoff competition and reached the Ron Newman Cup Finals before falling to Chihuahua in three games. With Chihuahua’s offseason departure, MASL fans are guaranteed a new champion in 2025-26.
Friday marks the first of six meetings between San Diego and Empire this season. The clubs will see each other often early, facing off three times in the Sockers’ first six matches. San Diego dominated the series last year with a 5-0 regular-season sweep and a playoff win, though most matchups were tight—five of six were decided by two goals or fewer. The Sockers enter the season on a 15-match winning streak against the Strykers.
Major Additions Bolster San Diego
San Diego added two marquee talents in the offseason:
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Two-time MASL MVP Nick Perera, the league’s all-time assists leader (243) and third-leading point producer (483).
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Five-time Goalkeeper of the Year Chris Toth, the MASL’s all-time saves leader (2,429) and third in wins (107).
They join returning standouts Tavoy Morgan and Boris Pardo, giving San Diego one of the most formidable attacking-defensive cores in the league. The club also added midfielder/defender Jesus Pacheco, who posted a career-best 28 points with Baltimore last season.
Scouting the Strykers
Empire completed a major turnaround in 2024-25, finishing 12-10-2—a nine-win improvement—under MASL Coach of the Year Onua Obasi. Their unconventional system frequently pushes the goalkeeper into the run of play as a sixth attacker.
The Strykers added reinforcements from the paused Texas clubs, including forward Anthony Powell, midfielder Steven Chavez, and attacker Lucas Ramalho. They return key contributors such as Marco Fabián (41 points) and Justin Stinson (career-best 32 goals, 43 points). Goalkeepers Brandon Gomez and Brian Orozco will again manage Empire’s aggressive goalkeeping approach.
Player Spotlights
Kraig Chiles’ Farewell Season
Captain Kraig Chiles begins his 17th and final season. The 41-year-old is the Sockers’ all-time leader in goals (505) and points (743), and ranks third in MASL history in goals scored (302). He has recorded 20+ goals in fifteen straight full seasons, including 24 goals and 32 points last year.
Unmatched Goalkeeper Duo
San Diego features the most decorated goalkeeping tandem in MASL history: Boris Pardo (league-record 138 wins) and Chris Toth (record 2,429 saves). The pair owns a combined eight Goalkeeper of the Year awards and is expected to split Friday’s opener, each playing one half.
Charlie Gonzalez’s Million-Dollar Summer
Midfielder Charlie Gonzalez enters the new season fresh off winning the $1 million TST 7v7 tournament with Bumpy Pitch FC, scoring both goals—including the long-range winner—in the championship match. Gonzalez led San Diego in scoring last season with 36 points.
Nick Perera Returns to Lead the Attack
Perera begins his third stint with San Diego, bringing elite hold-up play, distribution, and scoring ability. At 6’3”, he remains one of the MASL’s most dominant target forwards.
Jesus Pacheco Adds Midfield Strength
Newcomer Jesus Pacheco arrives on a three-year deal and is expected to play a significant role as a two-way midfielder. He logged 16 goals and 28 points with Baltimore last season and previously spent four years with Ontario/Empire.
Late Veteran Additions
San Diego added three veterans ahead of opening night:
Gontán is slated to start Friday.
Rookie Class
Three first-year players round out the roster:
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Mohammad “Marcel” Roknipour, forward
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Nathaniel Linquist, goalkeeper
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Matthew Hurlow, defender
Each is expected to make his MASL debut during the 2025-26 season.
About the Major Arena Soccer League
The Major Arena Soccer League is the premier professional indoor soccer league in the world, featuring franchises across North America and players representing more than 50 countries. The league operates as a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the sport and business of indoor soccer.
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