Injury May Keep Zungul Out of Sockers’ Opener

Steve Zungul, indoor soccer’s all-time leading scorer, may miss the Sockers’ season opener in Baltimore Friday night because of an Achilles tendon injury.

Coach Ron Newman said he noticed Zungul was not running well in practice over the weekend and told Zungul to visit the doctor Monday. Zungul was then held out of practice because of the injury.

“Wednesday, I’ll select the team from whoever is fit,” Newman said. “If he’s not ready to train, he’s not ready to go. If I know Steve Zungul, he’ll be ready by then. He plays injured all of the time.”

However, Zungul normally plays at peak physical condition. According to Newman, Zungul is currently out of shape.

Zungul’s injury is probably related to the fact he showed up two weeks late for training camp, Newman said. He had been training for only a week before the injury occurred.

“I don’t think he came back fit at all,” Newman said. “When he did his first beach run, I think it took a lot out of him. He’s trying to train with players who are physically fit. I think it has been too difficult for him.”

Zungul made things difficult on Major Indoor Soccer League opponents last year, earning his sixth Most Valuable Player award by leading the league in scoring with 68 goals and 68 assists. He also was named MVP of the MISL championship series when the Sockers beat Baltimore, 4 games to 1.

If Zungul does not play Friday at Baltimore or Sunday at Cleveland, Newman said his forwards would be Juli Veee, Ade Coker and Hugo Perez. Veee has been working out at forward and midfield since being reacquired from the defunct Las Vegas team over the offseason.

Kaz Deyna (hamstring) and Coker (Achilles tendon) are expected to make the trip, which is more than Zungul can say for sure at the moment.