Perez Back in Uniform for Sockers

At long last, the Hugo Perez contract dispute with the Sockers apparently is over.

Perez, 21, suited out for Saturday’s game against Kansas City after convincing Coach Ron Newman that he would play the remainder of the season.

The Sockers had suspended Perez on Nov. 6 for missing practice and a game because of his contract problems. Perez was claiming to be a free agent because he had signed a North American Soccer League contract. The Sockers are members of both the NASL and Major Indoor Soccer League.

A federal arbitrator had reinstated Perez to the team last week, pending a Jan. 21 hearing to determine whether Perez is a free agent. Evidently, Perez is going to drop the case.

“He’s getting rid of his agent (Mike Hogue) and telling the arbitrator that he is happy and settled here,” Newman said. “The whole thing is over. Hopefully, he’ll have a long and successful career here.”

Perez was in uniform Saturday for the first time since the Sockers’ Nov. 3 opener against Minnesota.

“I want to play here the rest of the season,” Perez said. “I don’t want to talk about Mike (Hogue) right now.”

Perez has a $60,000 annual contract with the Sockers that runs through Nov. 15. He lost approximately $10,000 while suspended.

The Sockers will allow Perez to play for the U.S. national outdoor team, even if it conflicts with one of San Diego’s playoff games.