The Tacoma Stars take to the field for the last time before the new year when they host Soles De Sonora for a pair of crucial games Saturday and Sunday at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent.
First kick on Saturday is at 7:05 p.m., and Sunday is set for a 5:05 p.m. kickoff.
The Stars enter the game at 2-5 in Major Arena Soccer League play this season after two losses on their Midwest road trip last weekend. But the Stars have played a brutal schedule, losing four of their five games to teams with a combined 13-0 record and in first place in their respective divisions (Milwaukee Wave and San Diego Sockers). They also are fifth in the MASL in the least goals allowed per game, allowing just 5.85 goals per game, behind just all four division leaders.
Stars goalkeeper Danny Waltman is sixth in the league in goals allowed average at 5.59 per game.
Offensively, the Stars are led by Joey Gjertsen’s eight points (four goals, four assists) and Philip Lund’s seven goals. Alex Megson and Vince McCluskey have also scored four times. Rapahel Cox is coming off of a three-goal weekend in Kansas City and Milwaukee and has five points total.
Hermosillo, Mexico’s Soles have made back-to-back appearances in the Ron Newman Cup Finals, but are just 1-5 this season entering this weekend’s games after dropping an 11-7 decision to the Rio Grande Valley Barracudas on Wednesday night. Franck Tayou has 18 points and 14 goals and is first in the league in points per game at 3.00, but the Soles have gone through four different goalkeepers over six games. Former Dallas Sidekicks keeper Juan Gamboa made his first start for Sonora against RGV in their last game.
Saturday is Star Wars Night with an exclusive Grit City Jedi T-shirt available with the purchase of an End Zone Party Deck ticket for $42 (plus fees). The Party Deck includes a buffet with beer, soda and water and is available for purchase at tacomastars.showare.com.
Sunday’s game is 2-for-1 Ticket Night. Purchase a full-price ticket and receive one for free. Use the promo code 2FOR1 at checkout at tacomastars.showare.com to purchase early or claim the offer on game day at the ShoWare box office.
Both games will be streamed live on masl.tv with live stats available at maslsoccer.com.
Stay up to date with the Stars by following them on Twitter (@TacomaStarsSC) or liking the team on Facebook (FB.com/TacomaStars).
