Segota, Newman Clash Over Level of Midfielder’s Play
Frustrations that have been simmering for several weeks came to a head during Friday’s meeting between Socker Coach Ron Newman and midfielder Branko Segota.
“We got our angers and frustrations out,” Segota said.
Before meeting with Segota, Newman said: “I’m particularly disappointed with Branko. It (Wednesday night’s game against Baltimore) wasn’t one of his best games. Branko seems to go into a shell when things go bad for him. I have to worry about Branko’s attitude. I’m not seeing the boy play with the same appetite he had last year. . . . He’s confused. I don’t think the lad has his heart and soul in the game.”
During Wednesday night’s loss, Newman was screaming at Segota on the bench. That upset Segota, who leads the team in scoring.
“He (Newman) was screaming at me to get back (on defense),” Segota said. “I don’t mind getting criticized, but I don’t think he should do it front of everyone else.”
After Friday’s practice at the Mission Valley Soccer Center, Segota and Newman met for nearly an hour.
“He says he wants to help me,” Segota said after the meeting. “He thinks there is something wrong with my game. He said I’m not playing like I normally play. I said, ‘I can’t play alone out there.’ He said it was me.”
Said Newman: “I tried to clear the air. To get the sparkle back in his eye. I didn’t want an arrogant Branko Segota. I wanted someone I could help. . . .
“When I inherited Branko Segota, I had been told he was an arrogant and egotistical lad. But I’ve never had any problems with him until recently. There had to be something troubling him.”
Newman thinks Segota’s ongoing contract negotiations, which are now being handled by Segota instead of his agent, Hal Kolker, have affected Segota’s play. Segota disagrees.
Earlier this season, Segota turned down a six-year, $1.25-million contract that would have been the longest and most lucrative in Major Indoor Soccer League history. Segota, in the option year of his three-year contract, says he wants a two- or three-year deal.
Segota and Socker managing general partner Bob Bell have met twice recently and both say they are slowly making progress.
“I’ve got to think the contract is still a problem for him,” Newman said. “It’s not our problem. It’s his problem.”
When a championship team such as the Sockers is struggling with an 8-7 record, the star players often receive the brunt of criticism by coaches.
“Branko is potentially the best player in the league, without a shadow of a doubt,” Socker midfielder Brain Quinn said. “He’s been fabulous at times this year, but it’s not sustained.”
Last year, Segota led the Sockers and was third in the league in scoring with 60 goals and 46 assists. He was selected to the MISL first team and was the most valuable player in the 1985-86 All-Star game.
This season, despite constantly being double-teamed, Segota leads the Sockers with 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points. He has scored multiple points in the last six games.
Socker Notes The Sockers discovered Friday that they did not have enough soccer balls for today’s home game against the Chicago Sting. Spalding never sent out a shipment of balls that was scheduled to arrive in San Diego Wednesday. Socker public relations director Glenn Goldberg was sent to Los Angeles Friday night to get 15 balls from the Lazers, who played Baltimore at the Forum Friday. Goldberg was scheduled to fly back late Friday night with the balls. How could the Sockers not have an abundance of soccer balls? Well, San Diego is the only team in the league to allow fans to keep balls kicked into the stands in the second half of home games. In seven home games, the Sockers say they have given up 72 balls. . . . Are the struggling Sockers planning to make any immediate moves? “We’re not trading someone to bring someone in,” Socker Coach Ron Newman said. “Tim Bartro looks very good playing with the reserve team. Rob Ryerson has also looked good. If things progress a little, down the line it might be time to bring the lads in.”
