Sockers Sign 2 Players, Not Segota : Garcia, Black Added to Roster, but Team Awaits Star’s Decision

Sockers announced the signing of two players Tuesday, but neither was Branko Segota, who has yet to decide whether he wants to rejoin the defending Major Indoor Soccer League champions.

Forward Poli Garcia, who scored 50 goals for the St. Louis Steamers last season, and defender Ralph Black, who has played the last five seasons for the Tacoma Stars, have agreed to one-year contracts.

Segota has not yet agreed to a reported $120,000 per-year deal. Ron Cady, team president, had said Segota would make a decision by Monday night.

“Branko called me (Tuesday) to say everything’s all right and that he’ll make a decision in the next 48 hours,” Cady said.

Garcia, a seventh-year player, had career bests in goals (50) and points (80) last season with the now-defunct Steamers. Socker Coach Ron Newman said Black “used to upset me by kicking our lads and drawing blood.”

The team also announced that Newman has signed a new one-year contract. Newman had agreed to a five-year contract before last season.

“I wanted to keep my options open to see what will happen (to this league) at the end of this season,” Newman said.

--CHRIS ELLO