Lazers Set on Tozer as Coach

The Lazers have called a press conference for Monday, apparently with the intention of naming Keith Tozer as coach of the Major Indoor Soccer League team. Tozer would replace Peter Wall, who was fired a week and a half ago.

Tozer, 29, is player-coach of the first-place Louisville Thunder of the American Indoor Soccer Assn.

The Lazers, who were beaten by the San Diego Sockers, 8-0, Friday night, are 6-17 and in last place in the Western Division.

When reached by telephone Friday, Tozer said: “The Lazers have made me an offer, and my agent is negotiating. My team is considering a counteroffer, and I won’t know for sure until Sunday.”

Said Steve Crum, a Thunder spokesman: “There’s a very good chance Tozer will be going to L.A.”

Crum added, however, that Thunder chairman Richard Heideman wants to go over the Lazer offer before deciding whether to make a counteroffer.

The Lazers declined comment until the scheduled news conference.

Tozer played six seasons in the MISL, most recently with the now-defunct Pittsburgh Spirit in the 1983-84 season. He has compiled an overall record of 75-42 with the Thunder and leads the team in blocked shots.