Farber excited for upcoming soccer season
SANDPOINT — If there was any rust to be knocked off of Brian Farber’s soccer game, he’s done a pretty good job of hiding it.
After missing much of the past year with a nagging hamstring pull, Farber is finally healthy, wasting precious little time returning to the form that helped him dominate the indoor game and earn a starting spot with the Portland Timbers.
Finally injury-free, Farber was recently invited to play with the San Diego Sockers of the Professional Arena Soccer League. Despite not practicing once with the team, and coming off an eight-month hiatus from competitive soccer, Farber promptly scored six goals and dished seven assists in just four games.
The former Sandpoint Striker and Bulldog, North Idaho College and Oregon State standout had a goal and four assists in a win over his former team, the California Cougars. The scoring barrage marked his second five point game of the brief stint, and offensive pyrotechnics helped the former league MVP win another PASL Player of the Week honor.
The recent spate of strong play has helped erase the bad memory of last year’s injury-riddled season, which ultimately cost Farber his spot on the Portland Timbers, and with it the chance of playing in the MLS, as the Timbers made the jump to the top pro league this season.
“Had I not gotten hurt last year I would have been in the MLS,” believes Farber, who still harbors ambitions of playing at the highest pro level. “I know I can do it. My agent said there’s been some interest from MLS teams. I need to prove I can be injury free.”
Farber, 28 and recently married, is currently playing with the Carolina RailHawks of the North American Soccer League, the same league the Timbers played in last year. He’s racking up frequent flyer miles lately, as he plans to fly to Cincinnati to rejoin the Sockers for the PASL Pro Championships on March 10-11. With Farber playing a key role in the stretch run, the Sockers (13-2) are favored to win the league championship.
After the tournament Farber will fly back to Carolina, where he recently notched two assists as the RailHawks beat Wake Forest 2-0 in an pre-season exhibition match last week. The hamstring has held up well in the past few weeks, as Farber eases slowly back into full time professional soccer.
“I took the first fitness test with the RailHawks and killed that, then played 45 minutes against Wake Forest with no residual pain,” says Farber, who is more than happy to put last year behind him. “After the injury I didn’t know if I’d be able to play again. It’s still a little scary to work to fatigue.”
The Rail Hawks kick off their NASL season on April 9 when they host Puerto Rico in a home opener. The speedy Farber is hoping to open some eyes this year and maybe garner interest from an MLS team.
Farber plans to hold his popular Next Level Soccer Camp in Sandpoint again this summer, promising some new surprises and another host of great coaches, including MISL pro player Evan McNeley.
To follow Farber, visit “www.carolinarailhawks.com,” or “www.sdsockers.com.”