Farber returns from injury for solid season
(Courtesy photo) Former Sandpoint soccer standout Brian Farber capped a solid season recently, his first in two years after returning from a knee injury.
Former league MVP returns for San Diego Sockers
By ERIC PLUMMER
Sports editor
SANDPOINT — After two years of struggling with a knee injury, it was easy for former Sandpoint standout soccer player Brian Farber to pinpoint the highlight of the recently concluded Major Arena Soccer League season.
The cat-quick mid-fielder logged 13 starts in the regular season for the San Diego Sockers, scoring six goals to go with three assists, and then added another pair of goals in five playoff games.
“The highlight was I got back from my knee injury. I feel like 90 percent, and am looking forward to the offseason,” said Farber, who has missed most of two seasons with a patella injury. “Everybody was happy to have me back.
The Sockers finished 14-6 this season, before falling in the MASL semis. After dominating the indoor pro league for a number of seasons, Farber finally started to feel like his old self late in the season.
The season ended with a one-goal loss to the Sockers’ rival, which Farber called a tough one to swallow.
“For me on a personal level, in my mind I’ve had two straight seasons of not being able to walk without pain. Now that it’s back, I’m good,” said Farber, who hopes to regain his old form next year. “In the last couple of games, I was one of the most impactful players. I’m just happy I can be me again. My teammates and coaches forgot who I was.”
The former Oregon State, Stockton Cougars, Portland Timbers and longtime Sockers’ standout has been working for the global soccer line Sklz, and just got back from Germany. He was in the city of Dortmund when there was a bombing, calling it “a little crazy.”
Farber, 34, is married and raising a 4 year-old daughter, Arie. He hopes to return to Sandpoint and help run the camp he started more than a decade ago.
Last year, the camp featured longtime coach Evan McNeley, who played for the Tacoma Stars of the MASL, and Chris Tost, who was recently named the MASL Goalie of the Year.
“He’s like the best goalkeeper in the league,” praised Farber of Tost. “I’ve been saying it all along. Evan is back in Sandpoint full time.”