Soccer fans rejoice; Turlock is now home to its first professional sports team, the Turlock Express. In their first year at the professional level the Express (6-3) are in second place of the Professional Arena Soccer League’s Western Division and undefeated at home. Turlock will try and extend their perfect record at home Friday when they host the Tijuana Revolucion at the Turlock Indoor Soccer facility.

“They shelved the California Cougars that was based in Stockton and they (PASL) asked me if I would take their spot,” Express head coach Art Pulido said. “They wanted to see if a small market could compete against larger markets.”

Not surprisingly Turlock is the smallest market in the PASL, which boasts teams from cities like San Diego, Detroit and Phoenix. Still, fans have turned out to support their local players and team, an average of 300 a game to be exact. The enthusiasm is credited to the fact that most of the indoor players are from high schools and universities in the Valley.

“Ninety percent of the team is from this area,” Pulido said.

Prior to this season the Express was part of the PASL’s premier league for six years. If Turlock can continue to win and generate local interest in the team, it’s safe to say that the Express will remain the only local pro team for the foreseeable future.

Friday’s game will start at 7:30 p.m. and be held at Turlock Indoor Soccer, 500 S. Center St.  For more information, call 634-5181.

To contact Frankie Tovar, e-mail ftovar@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2041.