Sockers Need a Change of Luck Against Stars
It has been a tough four days for the Sockers.
- They blew a 3-1 fourth-quarter lead at home Saturday night and gave up the tying goal with just 21 seconds left in regulation before losing, 4-3, in overtime to Tacoma, tying the best-of-five Western Division semifinal at 1-1.
Suddenly, the home-field playoff advantage that the Sockers worked all season to secure was gone for the series, which continues tonight at the Tacoma Dome. And it was lost to a team that had a 6-22 road record during the regular season.
- The Socker management filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy code Monday.
- Injuries to key players are crippling the Sockers, as they did during last season’s playoffs.
Midfielder Branko Segota, the Sockers’ leading scorer, will miss his second game in a row tonight with a pulled left quadricep. Segota said that if San Diego loses tonight and faces elimination Friday, he will fly to Tacoma Thursday and play. Segota was injured in Game 1 last Thursday and was diagnosed as needing 7 to 10 days before he could return.
Midfielder Hugo Perez, a key offensive threat who is particularly needed when Segota is out, is doubtful with a quadricep strain suffered in Game 2. Perez may fly to Tacoma and try to play tonight, according to Socker trainer Bill Taylor.
The team’s fourth- and fifth-leading goal scorers--forwards Keder (partially torn knee ligaments) and Zoran Karic (pulled lower abdomen muscle)--remain out. Keder practiced Monday and says he could play at 70% effectiveness, but Taylor said he’s not ready.
All this as the Sockers face Games 3 and 4 at the Tacoma Dome, where the Stars were 21-7 during the regular season. A fifth game, if necessary, would be played in San Diego next Wednesday night.
The Sockers set a league record with 19 road victories (19-9) this season and won 3 of 4 at the Tacoma Dome. But how will the distractions and injuries affect them?
“We’re professional soccer players,” defender Fernando Clavijo said. “Our main job is to keep our mind on winning. I hate to lose, with bankruptcy or without.”
While the Sockers try to focus attention on tonight, the memories of Saturday’s loss still haunt them.
“I was so depressed after the game I almost cried,” said Segota, who watched from the stands.
In the final 32 seconds of regulation, the Sockers had mis-kicks, a bad throw from goalkeeper Jim Gorsek and poor positioning on a Star restart.
“We didn’t perform last game like the best team in the league,” Clavijo said.
And now they have less firepower than they did Saturday, making good defense and mistake-free play even more important.
“Defensively, we can only give up two or three goals,” defender Kevin Crow said. “We’re not a high-scoring team now.”
But Tacoma Coach Jim McAlister said he is still impressed with the Sockers’ ability to score.
“I think a lot is made of individuals and not enough of the team and their system of play,” he said.
A key offensive player will be midfielder Brian Quinn, who is still not the player he was at the start of the season. Quinn returned to the lineup three weeks ago after he missed 18 consecutive games with a right arch strain.
“Saturday was the first time in a long time I felt like I was getting involved,” said Quinn, who made darting moves in the midfield and set up Paul Dougherty’s fourth-quarter goal.
Quinn, who was voted the most valuable player in the 1986 playoffs, can be an inspirational leader as well as a key offensive force.
“As a professional, these are the crucial games you look forward to,” Quinn said. “You have a challenge and have to prove yourself.”
And after the shocking news of the Chapter 11 filing Monday, some Sockers said they feel an additional incentive to win for the franchise, for Ron Fowler, chairman of Sockers Management Inc., and for Ron Cady, the team president.
“The way we can help them out the most is by winning and getting them more home games,” Crow said.
That means the Sockers at least have to split these next two games in Tacoma.
Socker Notes
Tonight’s game will be broadcast on a delayed basis on Prime Ticket and XTRA (AM 690) at 8 p.m., after the Lazer game. . . . Rookie defender Hormoz Tabrizi made the trip to Tacoma. . . . Star forward Steve Zungul, who missed Game 2 with a pulled calf muscle, is questionable for tonight’s game. . . . Zoltan Toth (6 saves on 12 shots in the Sockers’ 6-2 victory in Game 1) will be in goal tonight. Tacoma’s Mike Dowler (27 saves on 58 shots in the two games) is probable, although he has a hip contusion.