SOCKERS SIGN JUAN CARLOS GONZALEZ

by San Diego Sockers

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Sockers today announced the signing of midfielder Juan Carlos “Charlie” Gonzalez to a three-year Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) free-agent contract. As per league and club policy, financial details of the deal will not be revealed.

“I was with the Fury for six years, and I gave everything to be where I’m at today,” said Gonzalez of the move, “I’m blessed to now be playing for the San Diego Sockers.”

A second-team all-MASL performer in the 2021 season, Gonzalez, who will be 28 by season’s start, led the Ontario Fury offense with 11 goals and 14 assists (11-14=25 points) in ten regular-season games. Gonzalez powered the Fury to the Ron Newman Cup Finals with 5 goals and a team-high 11 assists (5-11=16 points) in six playoff appearances, leading the club in the regular season and playoff scoring.

“After years of having to try and stop him, we are thrilled to have ‘Charlie’ on our side,” said Sockers director of player personnel Chiky Luna, “You’re talking about one of the best midfielders in the league, coming into his prime. We can’t wait to get to work.”

The Fury’s all-time leading scorer, Gonzalez featured in 105 games over six seasons in Ontario, netting 96 goals with 67assists (96-67=163 points). His career-high in points came in 2017-18 with (24-13=37), matched in 2019-20 (20-17=37 points). However, the shortened 2021 campaign was Gonzalez’s breakout season in terms of scoring average (2.5 ppg), and recognition. A member of the MASL All-Star team, Gonzalez scored two goals with an assist to help lead the West to victory.

Born in Jalisco, Mexico but raised in Lancaster, California, Gonzalez attended Quartz Hill High School and Taft College before going on to play collegiately at Cal State San Bernadino. One of six siblings, Gonzalez played alongside his brother Jose on the Fury last season.

The San Diego Sockers, defending champions of the MASL, will return to Pechanga Arena San Diego and raise their fifteenth championship banner on December 19, when the club opens their 2021-22 campaign at home, a 5:05pm kickoff. The fullMASL schedule is expected to be announced before the month’s end. Season ticket memberships, as well as opening night single-game tickets, are available by calling (866) 799-GOAL, or online at
sdsockers.com/tickets
.