OUTLAWS SPLIT WEEKEND AGAINST EMPIRE STRYKERS AND SAN DIEGO SOCKERS

Mesquite, TX (December 19, 2022)- The Mesquite Outlaws (3-1-0) end the weekend in California, with a win against the Empire Strykers and a loss against the San Diego Sockers.

Mesquite Outlaws won 4-3 over the Empire Strykers, continuing their undefeated streak with a third-straight win of the season. Goalkeeper Eduardo “Pollo” Cortes having an 80% save percentage this game.

The Outlaws and the Strykers each had a couple shots on goal in the first quarter. Ultimately, less than 6 minutes into the first quarter, Adam James scored, with an assist from Frank Tayou, putting the Strykers ahead 1-0. Sebastian Mendez was issued a yellow card for illegal return of injured player, serving 5 minutes in the penalty box. In the second quarter, more shots were had by both teams, Outlaws goalie Pollo and Strykers goalie Claysson De Lima making many saves. Juan Topete was issued a blue card for tripping, putting the Outlaws on a powerplay. A few seconds later, another blue card was issued to the Strykers, Franck Tayou issued a blue card for tripping. Pablo Da Silva scored in the 7^th minute, tying it up for the Outlaws during the 5v3 powerplay. The Strykers scored again with 2 minutes left, ending the half with a 2-1 Strykers lead.

The third quarter started with multiple shots from the Outlaws. 2 goals were scored by Sebastian Mendez and Luiz Morales both within less than 5 minutes into the third quarter. A blue card was given, the taken away, after a successful challenge by the Strykers for a call against Juan Topete. Brenden Lee for the Outlaws was issued a blue card for tripping, serving 2 minutes in the penalty box. The quarter ended with Outlaws leading 3-2.

The fourth quarter started with multiple fouls from both sides. With a little less than 10 minutes into the last quarter, David Ortiz chipped Strykers goalkeeper Claysson De Lima, putting the ball into the empty net, a specialty Ortiz has shown off two games in a row. Strykers pulled De Lima for a sixth attacker, ultimately getting a goal from Robert Palmer, assisted by extra attacker Juan Topete. The game ended with a final score of 4-3 Outlaws.

The Outlaws then traveled to San Diego, where they fell 4-5 to the San Diego Sockers. Both Outlaws and Sockers defenses contributing to the close game.

The Sockers started the scoring early in the first quarter, with Kraig Chiles scoring the first goal under 3 minutes into the game. In the 8^th minutes, blue card was issued to Sockers player, Felipe Gonzalez for kicking. The Outlaws remained scoreless in the first quarter, ending with 1-0 Sockers. In the first minute of the second quarter, Outlaws defender Emmanuel Aguirre scored, tying up the game 1-1. Within another 2 minutes, Axel Chakounte scored for the Outlaws, putting them up 2-1. A blue card was issued to Outlaws player, Sebastian Mendez for pushing. Another blue card was issued to Brenden Lee of the Outlaws in the 10^th minute for kicking. Both teams ended the first half with many shots on goal, but the Outlaws were ahead 2-1.

Within 20 seconds of the third quarter, Christian Gutierrez scored for the Sockers, tying the game at 2-2. Mesquite countered in the 5^th minute, once again taking the lead with another goal from Axel Chakounte. In the 6^th minutes, Sockers once again tied the game with a goal from Kraig Chiles. More shots were taken from both teams, but in the 14^th minute of the third quarter, Brandon Escoto scored, letting the Sockers have a 3-4 lead.

The fourth quarter started with a goal in the second minute from Sebastian Mendez, tying the game at 4-4. A blue card penalty was issued to Outlaws player David Ortiz for tripping in the 9^th minute. Kraig Chiles scored a powerplay goal for the Sockers putting the score at 5-4. With two minutes left in the game, Mesquite pulled goalkeeper Eduardo “Pollo” Cortes and put in David Ortiz as 6^th attacker. A few seconds later, Kraig Chiles from Sockers and Pablo Da Silva from Outlaws, both team captains, were issued blue cards for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Outlaws finished the game with multiple fast shots on goal, but the game ended with a 5-4 Sockers win.

Sebastian Mendez is the leading scorer of the team, with 4 total goals so far this season. Pollo now has an 81% save percentage, leading the league in save percentages. The Outlaws are now 3-1-0, and the Sockers are 3-0-0, with Mesquite still topping the standings in the Western Division.

Next game for the Outlaws is on the road against their cross-town rivals the Dallas Sidekicks. The game will be played at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, Texas at 7:00 pm CST. The game will be streamed live on the MASL Twitch account.

The next home game is December 31^st against the Dallas Sidekicks at 6:06 PM CST. Individual, group and season tickets are on sale NOW! You can purchase tickets online at MesquiteOutlaws.com/tickets. For more information email Harris Partain at hpartain@mesquiteoutlaws.com or call (214) 396-0924.

ABOUT THE MAJOR ARENA SOCCER LEAGUE

The Major Arena Soccer League represents the highest level of professional arena soccer in the world. The MASL features teams across North America, with teams playing coast-to-coast in the United States and Mexico. The MASL is currently incorporated as a 501(c)6 not for profit corporation formed to promote the business and sport of arena soccer.

ABOUT THE MESQUITE OUTLAWS

Founded in 2019, the Mesquite Outlaws are a proud member of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL). Owned by Mehrdad Moayedi, the Outlaws play in the legendary Mesquite Arena, home to the famed Mesquite Rodeo, where they bring excitement, entertainment, and energy to soccer fans across North Texas and beyond. For more information, visit MesquiteOutlaws.com.