Sockers Acquire Eskandarian

Andranik Eskandarian, who had played for the defunct Cosmos, was acquired by the Sockers Thursday and is expected to be in uniform for tonight’s game against Cleveland in the Sports Arena.

Eskandarian, who became available when the Cosmos folded their MISL team, is a world-class player who was on the All-North American Soccer League outdoor team in 1982-83-84. He played 35 matches for the Iranian National Team, including three World Cup matches in 1978.

A 5-foot 9-inch, 150-pound defender, the 33-year-old Eskandarian had five points and 27 blocked shots in 29 games with the Cosmos this year.