San Francisco Seals Press Release - www.oursfseals.com

Monday, May 5

The Seals are off to a good start on the season, earning four points in two games after a recent draw against the San Jose Frogs.

The Seals battled hard throughout the 90 minutes of play, but were unable to find the net. With a dynamic attack, and good movement on top, the Seals generated a number of good chances in the first half. Steven Cordova and Kellan Wilson both created a number of scoring chances while Yousef Samy served in some great balls from the right side.

The Frogs also generated some great offense as well, and nearly won the game late on a shot that was deflected off a defender nearly missing wide right. A goal was simply not to be found.

The Seals got some great play from keeper Dan Benton. On three separate occasions, Benton was falling to his left or right, and managed to deflect the shot on his opposite side - fingers, foot, leg. Benton was simply awesome. 

The Seals were also solid on defense. Yousef Samy on the right, Doug Carr and Rich Halvorsen inside, and Shea Whelan on the left were stopping, stealing, heading, and otherwise always seeming to show up at the right place at the right time to thwart the Frogs offense.

Play in the midfield with Rawlie Masaniani, Mike Balogun, Francisco Camacho, and Richard Duru was also solid. Active play on the wings, and timely distribution in the center, the Seals moved the ball well through the midfield and turned the ball upfield in transition effectively.

The Seals next opponent is the Lancaster Rattlers in an away game at Lancaster this Friday night at 7:00 PM PST. The Seals will open at home against the Orange County Blue Star Saturday May 17th, at USF Negoesco Stadium. Game time will be 7:00pm.

Following the draw, the Seals are atop the Premier Development League Southwest Divison standings with four points.

Arif Khan Joins Team
After coordinating a successful Fiji Mens National Team tour to USA in 2007, Arif Khan will join the San Francisco Seals as an investor, and with the Marketing and Sales team.

The match between Fiji Mens Soccer and SF Seals had a record attendance especially in the Fiji community residing in California. Despite a strong rugby following in Fiji, many are ardent soccer fans. The Bay area Fiji community have not identified with a soccer team playing competitive soccer. Arif will assist in marketing to the Fiji and different ethnic communities and youth clubs. He joins the Marketing and Sales team focusing in the East Bay Area.