The Tacoma Stars host the Sacramento Surge, Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:35 p.m. at the ShoWare Center in Kent. The matchup marks the beginning of the Stars first full season in the Major Arena Soccer League.
The Stars are led by head coach and general manager Darren Sawatzky and owner Lane Smith. The duo lead the Stars into its first full professional season since 1992. Smith, who purchased the rights to the Stars name and logo in 2014, led the resurgence of the club that strives to become the winter destination for soccer in the Northwest.
Tacoma’s roster features more than a dozen players that hail from the Pacific Northwest, including goalkeeper Danny Waltman, midfielder Joey Gjertsen, and strikers Derek Johnson and Mark Lee. Complementing the local talent is a host of national standouts with years of indoor soccer experience.
Sacramento is captained by head coach Mark Bickham, who played for the Stars in 1992-93 and was an assistant coach for the club in 1995-96. Bickham has previously coached at Highline Premier and was key in the development of the Starfire Sports Complex, where he serves as a member of the Starfire Sports Board of Directors.
The Surge come into Friday’s matchup with an 0-2 record, already having recorded losses on the road to Turlock and Las Vegas. Sacramento midfielder Anibal Echeverria leads the team with three points, while goalkeeper Chris Welch has recorded a league-leading 53 saves during his 120 minutes in goal.
The 20-game MASL season includes 10 Stars home games, all played at the ShoWare Center.
The Stars will play host to the Sacramento Surge, Soles de Sonora, Dallas Sidekicks, San Diego Sockers, Cedar Rapids Rampage, Turlock Express, St. Louis Ambush and Ontario Fury this winter.
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