San Diego Sockers 1982-83 Media Guide

This San Diego Sockers 1982-83 Media Guide was from the “magic year” of the Sockers. They had won over San Diego fans on their way to the NASL Indoor title the prior season and entered the the MISL (with the Chicago Sting and Golden Bay Earthquakes) with something to prove.

After a rocky start the Sockers were a well oiled machine by playoff time. It was obvious the Baltimore Blast was the class of the east and when the 2 teams met in the best of 5 game Championship Series Indoor Soccer’s greatest rivalry had begun. San Diego won Games 1 and 2 with consecutive shutouts, 6-0 and 7-0. At home, Baltimore hacked and kicked and scrapped to win Games 3 and 4 by scores of 4-3 and 7-6. It all came down to game 5 and the most watched Sockers title ever.

This was the night the “Sooooockerrrrrs” chant came to life. My buddy Jon Greene and his friends were a small ultra group that tried to get it going all year. This night it caught on and echoed throughout the sold out Sports Arena (and for 3 days my ears rung, like going to a loud concert). Throughout the Sockers coming dynasty the chant wasn’t heard at every game, but it certainly was present at the big moments and lifted the team when it was needed. It might just be me, but I think it lives on in the Seattle Sounders version of “Seeeattle – Sounnnderrrs” that no-doubt was inspired by frustrated Tacoma Stars fans in the region 😉

Click on photo to see full image.

San Jose Sharks fans might recognize Randy Hahn calling the action.

Related links:

• MISL Finals Game 5
• MISL Finals Game 4
• MISL Finals Game 3
• MISL Finals Game 2
• The Great Indoors Sockers Video
• Fun While It Lasted