Sockers Stun Bascome's Blast with Second-Half Comeback
IslandStats.com
David Bascome’s Baltimore Blast were left to rue a missed opportunity at the TU Arena as the San Diego Sockers staged a relentless second-half rally to secure a 9-6 victory in a Major Arena Soccer League classic.
In a match that highlighted the high-octane nature of arena soccer, Baltimore appeared to have the powerhouse Sockers on the ropes after racing into a three-goal lead. However, the visitors demonstrated exactly why they are the most successful franchise in the sport's history, finding an extra gear in the final two periods to silence the Maryland crowd.
Following a tense and scoreless opening period where both defenses reigned supreme, the Blast exploded into life in the second frame. Victor Parreiras broke the deadlock just over a minute in, before Alejandro Chavez doubled the advantage shortly after. When Parreiras notched his second of the night at the seven-minute mark, Baltimore looked in total control with a 3-0 cushion.
The Sockers, however, refused to panic. Late strikes from Nick Perera and Adrian Reyes before the halftime whistle completely shifted the momentum, cutting the deficit to a single goal and setting the stage for a dominant third period.
The third period belonged to San Diego's danger man, Nick Perera. The veteran forward completed a clinical hat-trick with two rapid goals, before Cesar Cerda added another to put the Sockers ahead for the first time. Although Jonatas Melo struck back late in the period for Baltimore to keep the game within reach, the momentum had firmly swung toward the visitors.
The final period provided a goal-scoring frenzy as the Blast desperately searched for an equalizer. Alejandro Chavez briefly leveled the scores at 4-4, but San Diego responded instantly through Reyes and the legendary Kraig Chiles.
A late strike from Charlie Gonzalez gave the Sockers a two-goal cushion, and while Juan Pereira kept the Blast in the hunt, a final goal from Mitchell Cardenas into the empty net sealed the 9-6 result.
The loss is a bitter pill for Bascome’s side, who have now dropped three of their last four games. For the Sockers, the win reinforces their position at the summit of the Western Conference as they continue their march toward another Ron Newman Cup run.
