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Cougars set to face familiar foes in January
Wednesday Dec 23, 2009
The California Cougars begin arguably their toughest stretch of games in the 2009-10 regular season schedule next month when they play the San Diego Sockers at Del Mar Arena on January 2 and Revolucion Tijuana on January 3 at Furati. The Cougars will play eight total games in January, with six of the eight on the road and two at home.
The Cougars are 0-1 versus the undefeated Sockers this season, but are 2-1 against them all-time. San Diego handed the Cougars their only regular season loss earlier this year on November 20 after stunning California 5-4 in overtime.
The Sockers are led by former Cougars' forwards Aaron Susi and Garth Archibald. Susi is currently second on the Sockers roster with 11 goals in six games this season. He was a member of the Cougars championship team last season. Susi also played for California's inaugural team in 2005. Archibald spent part of the 2007-08 season with the Cougars. He has netted two goals in two games for the Sockers this season.
Eduardo Velez, a member of the 2006-07 and 2007-08 California teams, is the Director of Soccer Operations for Revolucion Tijuana. His club was narrowly defeated by the Cougars 6-4 on November 21 at Furati. After his team fell behind 3-0, Nelson Santana started California's comeback win with a goal early in the second quarter. Brian Farber closed the Revolucion lead to 3-2 with another California goal in the second. Enrique "Qeeks" Tovar scored the equalizer with only a few minutes remaining in the first half.
The Cougars then hit the road again when they travel to Denver to take on Chris Handsor and the Denver Dynamite on January 9. Handsor is also a former California forward. The University of Akron product played with the Cougars during the 2007-08 season. His seven assists are tied for the most on the Denver roster this season. Led by reigning PASL-Pro MVP Brian Farber, the Cougars defeated the Dynamite 9-8 earlier this season on December 6 at Turlock Indoor Soccer.
The second back-to-back road trip in January continues with a match between the Cougars and Shaun David's Texas Outlaws on January 10. David was drafted by the Cougars in the first round of the 2006 Major Indoor Soccer League Dispersal Draft, but did not play for California. The Cougars had owned David's player rights until trading him along with Gary Brooks and Stefan Stokic to the New Jersey Ironmen for goalkeeper Sanaldo in June 2007. David currently leads the Outlaws with 10 goals and 10 assists this season.
Head Coach Antonio Sutton and his Cougars quickly turnaround and return home to host the Outlaws on Sunday, January 17 at Turlock Indoor Soccer. Kickoff is at 4:00PM, and tickets are available by calling the Cougars office at (209) 373-1550, or by calling Turlock Indoor Soccer at (209) 634-5181.
The final back-to-back (third overall) road series in January for California puts them in Wenatchee on January 23 and Tacoma on January 24. The Cougars recently defeated the Wenatchee Fire FC 17-0 on December 12 at Estadio Azteca Sports Arena in Sacramento.
The Cougars finished their December schedule with a 7-3 defeat of the Tacoma Stars on December 19 in Sacramento. They kept Greg Howes, a three-time MISL MVP and six-time MISL All-Pro, scoreless in the home win and improved to 4-1 in league play. Howes played for the Cougars in three games during their championship campaign last year.
The Cougars then return to Stockton Arena on January 28 to take on Susi and the undefeated San Diego Sockers. Tickets are available at the Alpine Meats Ticket Window located at the North Entrance of Stockton Arena, and at www.stocktontickets.com. Group tickets and "Final Four" plans are available through the Cougars' office by calling (209) 373-1550.
"Final Four" rate plans include discounts on all seating locations, i.e. a Gallery seat for all four games in the package is $64 for an individual.
All games can be heard live online at www.californiacougars.net, and select games will be broadcast live on 1420 KSTN AM in Stockton.
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