SAN DIEGO – Landon Donovan broke his indoor soccer duck Friday night.
Only 12 seconds into the San Diego Sockers’ 13-2 win over the Turlock Express, the former U.S. international tallied his first Major Arena Soccer League goal. He added another before the opening quarter was five minutes old as the Sockers recorded their 13th consecutive victory.
Donovan added two second-half assists for a four-point night and was one of four Sockers (15-1) to net two goals. San Diego also clinched the Pacific Division regular-season title.
“It happened so fast, the game started and the next thing you know I had a tap-in,” said Donovan of his first goal, “It was good to get that out of the way, but more importantly a really good win, and a good performance.”
Kraig Chiles, Brandon Escoto and Ray Contreras added braces of their own, while Hiram “Pollo” Ruiz scored his long-awaited first goal of the year and added two assists to the cause. MASL wins and goals-against average leader Boris Pardo (15-1, 3.34 GAA) was credited with eight saves.
A crowd of 4,263 came in anticipation of seeing Donovan score his first goal in pro indoor soccer, but the moment came while many were still finding their way to their seats at Pechanga Arena San Diego. Off quick high pressure and a turnover, Escoto found Donovan unmarked by the left post for a quick tap-in and a goal 12 seconds into the match.
The entire Sockers bench came out to engulf Donovan in a celebration scrum.
Just 18 seconds later off a goal wall free kick, Chiles floated a ball through the air to Luis “Pee Wee” Ortega, who smashed his ninth goal of the season into the upper corner for an instant 2-0 advantage.
Donovan’s second, cleaning up a ball tapped down by Ortega in the box at 7:40, extended the advantage to 3-0.
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Turlock opened its scoring on a power-play rocket by Arturo Pulido, who ripped the ball through the back netting on a scramble play and changed possession to make it 3-1 at 9:49.
Less than two minutes later, Donovan created offense for the Sockers again by drawing a foul in the penalty area. Awarded a free kick, Chiles hesitated to break the wall before dancing the ball between the legs of goalkeeper Edgar Martinez for his 18th goal of the season and a 4-1 lead.
Omar Tapia and Escoto traded goals in the second quarter, with Escoto’s blast off the inside of the right post as he scored in eight consecutive matches. The 5-2 lead held until halftime.
The Sockers wore down the Express (2-15) with possession and then flooded the scoreboard with goals. Contreras started his scoring night at 8:35 of the third with a sitter from inside the area after a turnover and one-touch pass from Cesar Cerda. Later on the power play, San Diego saw Donovan work the middle of the paint before laying off a right angle pass to Chiles, who smashed home his second of the night.
“As the captain, I’m doing my best to keep everyone focused,” Chiles said. “Winning the division means very little to us, we’ve done it in the past and lost in the playoffs, so we know it’s about getting sharp, healthy and fit and getting ready to take care of business then.”
The fourth quarter started with a parade of increasingly spectacular scores. Contreras from outside the red line, at pace and angle. A double back heel connection from Travis Pittman to Hiram Ruiz for his first goal of the season. Christian Segura from one step inside the midfield stripe, a cheeky chip that Martinez got one paw on but not enough. Fourth but not last, Escoto accepting a Donovan pass on left angle and playing the ball behind his legs from right to left before flicking home his second of the night.
By the 4:52 mark of the frame it was 11-2 and the Sockers’ division title was secured.
Christian Gutierrez and Cesar Cerda closed the scoring for the hosts.
