Segota Will Be Back for the Sockers’ Home Opener Tonight

The firepower returns to the Sockers tonight.

Well, sort of.

Branko Segota will play in his first match this season. A pulled hamstring kept him out of all of this season’s exhibition matches and the season opener at Wichita.

Segota, the Sockers’ top scorer last season, is a welcome addition to a team that looked flat offensively in Saturday’s 5-3 loss. But his lack of playing time has Coach Ron Newman a little concerned going into tonight’s home opener against the Kansas City Comets at 7:35.

“Maybe (Segota’s) touch may not be as powerful as when he is on top of his game,” Newman said, “but we are taking anything we can get from him because we are going to need some firepower.

“I think Branko’s leg is 100%, but I don’t think he is as sharp as he should be, or fit as he should be, because he missed quite a bit of hard work.”

Socker defender George Fernandez, discussing the loss of Segota before the season opener, said, “We should be all right without Branko. . .”

Fernandez stopped himself, then added, “Well, he does represent three or four goals a game, doesn’t he?”

Not quite. Last season, Segota was the 10th-leading scorer in the Major Indoor Soccer League with 34 goals and 41 assists in 38 games.

Against Wichita, San Diego could have used the extra offense. The Sockers were outshot, 35-21.

Despite Segota’s slow start, Kansas City Coach Dave Clements is worried about the midfielder’s return tonight.

“His returning means an awful lot to me,” Clements said. “He is an exceptional player. It’s hard to legislate for that type of talent.”

Said Segota: “My leg feels strong. I have worked on my conditioning all week. I’m not as fit as I would like to be, but I think I can play a big role (tonight).”

Clements is quite familiar with Segota’s scoring ability. When the Sockers beat the Comets, 9-5, to reach the finals of the Western Division playoffs last season, Segota had five goals.

Even if Segota doesn’t score, Newman hopes his speed will help the Sockers, who appeared taxed in the early minutes of Saturday’s game.

“Branko gives us that explosive speed from one end of the field to the other,” Newman said. “We have some very good players in the midfield, but nobody with a great deal of pace. I think Branko will give us that extra pace, because once he gets going, he is very hard to catch.”