Defending PASL-Pro points champion comes to San Diego

   The San Diego Sockers announced the signing of veteran midfielder Eduardo Velez to a one-year free agent deal. Terms of the signing were not announced.

   Velez, 29, is making his second tour of duty with the Sockers, having played with the 2004-2005 MISL team that folded under previous ownership on December 30th, 2004. A member of the Mexican National Indoor Soccer Team and the founder/director of operations of Revolucion Tijuana, Velez played the past two seasons for Revolucion.

   Last year, in Revolucion’s first season as a full-fledged member of the PASL-Pro, Velez led the league in scoring with 52 points (30 goals, 22 assists) in 14 games.

   “We are ecstatic to bring a player of Eduardo’s caliber to the San Diego Sockers,” said Sockers general manager John Kentera, “Velez is not only a tremendous soccer player, he’s a great leader and a great person.  He’s a family man whose numbers speak for themselves in the indoor game.”

   “Eddie”, a Tijuana native, rose through the amateur ranks of the outdoor game, eventually earning selection to the Nacional Tijuana first-division team. After his Sockers career was cut short, Velez concentrated on the indoor game to great effect, earning promotion to the Mexican National Indoor Soccer Team in 2006 and the World United Futsal Team. Eduardo transitioned to the MISL with the California Cougars, playing in the 2006 MISL All-Star Game and suiting up with the team through the 2007-2008 season. At this time Velez returned home to Tijuana to help found Revolucion Tijuana, which has since moved up to full inclusion in the PASL-Pro.

   “We’re happy to have Eddie on our side this year,” said Sockers owner/head coach Phil Salvagio, “He was one of the toughest players for our team to defend last year and I expect him to play at a very high level and to fit right in with the Sockers.”

   Velez already joined the Sockers this summer to help the team take down the COOP Beach Soccer Championship in Oceanside. Eduardo is married with two children.