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SD Sockers look for record 41st straight win
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SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San Diego Sockers will set a U.S. professional team record if they win their 41st straight game Friday night.

The Sockers will face the Toros de Mexico at the former San Diego Sports Arena.

The Sockers beat the Arizona Storm last weekend to tie the record of 40 straight victories set by the Sioux Falls Storm of United Indoor Football from 2005-2008.

"It's huge for this team and our franchise," said midfielder Brian Farber, who leads the PASL with 16 points, with seven goals and nine assists, in three games. "We haven't lost since I've been here and we don't intend to lose anytime soon. We're going to come home in front of our fans on Friday and try to break the record. We want to keep this winning streak alive for a long time."

The Sockers haven't lost since Dec. 27, 2010, 9-8 in overtime to the California Cougars. The Sockers blew a 4-0 lead in the first quarter that game. The winning streak began two days later with a 7-5 victory against the San Diego Fusion.

"These guys are driven and very determined to win every time they take the field," general manager John Kentera said. "There's pressure to play for the Sockers. Everyone in the game of indoor soccer knows the Sockers are all about championships and wins. Our head coach (Phil Salvagio) still reminds the players of our last loss. We're proud to keep that tradition alive."

Former Sockers great Juli Veee will deliver the ceremonial first kick prior to Friday's opening kickoff. The 62-year-old Veee was part of seven Sockers championships with the indoor team from 1980 to 1988. Veee was the first soccer player inducted into the San Diego Hall of Champions and was part of the inaugural class of the Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame.