Sockers shore up defense, sign veteran defender Marcio Leite
Credit: SD Sockers
So far, it has been a quiet offseason for the San Diego Sockers. Granted, they haven’t needed to make a lot of moves.
After a 15-6 season and a second-place finish in the Western Conference, the Sockers have only made two moves in the offseason, signing top scorer Gordy Gurson from the Florida Topics and resigned team captain Kraig Chiles to a three-year deal.
With the moves made to the offense, San Diego has made one more move to reinforce their top-five defense with the signing of Marcio Leite from the Milwaukee Wave.
A three-time champion.
A two-time playoff MVP.
Welcome to San Diego, Marcio Leite! @Leite_Marcio77
Full story: https://t.co/bplh1TDYV4 pic.twitter.com/I8DeBQ1okx— San Diego Sockers (@SanDiegoSockers) December 30, 2020
Leite, 36, brings with him a winning prestige. As a member of the Wave, Leite won Major Indoor League Soccer championships in 2011 and 2012 before winning a third in the 2018-2019 MASL season. For the 2011 and 2019 championships, Leite was named the MVP for his efforts.
During the 2019-2020 season, Leite scored eight goals and contributed 18 assists for a total of 26 points. On defense, Leite blocked 17 total shots en route to earning First Team All-MASL honors.
Leite will be joining a Sockers squad that ranked in the top five in total goals allowed. With only 104 goals allowed, San Diego finished the 2019-2020 season tied with the Baltimore Blast for third-fewest allowed in the league.
The defensive personnel for San Diego was already quite talented even before the signing of Leite. The starting line of Cesar Cerda and Guerrero Pino, who blocked nine and 23 shots respectively, were named to the MASL All-Star Game while Raymundo Contreras is expected to return to the team after being loaned to the Ukrainian club Kyivmiskbud.
Leite will report to the Sockers training camp in January to prepare for the upcoming 2020-2021 season and will most likely play on the first or second defensive line.
I am currently attending San Diego State University while working on achieving a major in journalism. At SDSU, I write for The Daily Aztec while also hosting the sports radio show “Picked Off”, for KCR Radio. A loyal fan of San Diego sports, I hope to bring content that you will enjoy reading.