Deyna Fined, Left Off Traveling Team

Many consider Kaz Deyna to be the finest soccer player in the history of Poland, and he was an important member of the Sockers’ four indoor championship teams.

Thursday, the 38-year-old team captain was not with the Sockers in Wichita. For the first time since he joined the team in 1981, Deyna was left home for a reason other than injury.

“Let’s put it this way,” said Sockers Coach Ron Newman. “Where does he play? Kazie is an offensive midfield player. Does he play in front of Branko (Segota), Steve (Zungul), Jean (Willrich), Hugo (Perez), Brian (Quinn) or Juli (Veee)?

When he failed to show for Sunday’s game against the Lazers in Los Angeles, Deyna did not win Newman’s favor. The coach said Deyna had been fined, but added that there were additional reasons he was left home.

“He’s not playing badly,” Newman said, “but he’s not playing well enough to keep a spot in front of some of the other players.”

Deyna has one goal and three assists in 10 games this season.

Major Indoor Soccer League teams are allowed to take 15 players on the road and use 16 at home. Newman said he prefers to use a young, developing player or a player recovering from an injury as his 16th man.

“He’s a member of the 20-man roster,” Newman said. “When I call on him, I hope he’s ready.”

Ironically, it was at this time last season that Deyna was playing some of his best indoor soccer. He had a three-goal, two-assist game against Dallas on Dec. 19.

“Before Christmas last year,” Newman said, “he was a key player for us.”

Deyna finished last season with 30 goals and 21 assists in 40 regular-season games and 8 goals and 5 assists in 13 playoff games. Despite those impressive statistics and flashes of brillance in the playoffs, Newman believes Deyna never regained the edge he had at the start of last season.

“I don’t know what happened between his brilliance and mediocrity,” Newman said.