Former Sockers Hirmez, Gorsek Might Be Returning

Midfielder Waad Hirmez and goalkeeper Jim Gorsek, both former Sockers now playing with the Los Angeles Lazers, could return to the six-time indoor champions in a trade as early as today.

Hirmez said Lazer Coach Keith Tozier told him he would be dealt to the Sockers in time for Thursday night’s game between the Sockers and Lazers in Los Angeles.

“He said, ‘I’m sorry I have to do this, but I’m sending you back to San Diego,’ ” Hirmez said. “It would be good for me to go back. I miss everything about San Diego.”

Sockers Coach Ron Newman said Monday that the team was interested in both players and “they (the Lazers) could be interested in letting both of them go.”

Hirmez and Gorsek both left the Sockers after last season, signing as free agents with Los Angeles.

The Sockers have been without all-star midfielder Brian Quinn and all-star goalkeeper Zoltan Toth for more than a month because of injuries.

“This situation with Zollie is something we better start thinking about,” Newman said. “He was supposed to be out (with bunions) for a few days, but now it has turned into a month. And who knows how much longer it could go?”

Quinn has been out with a bruised foot.

Gorsek, who still lives in San Diego, isn’t happy in Los Angeles, where Tozier has been using a three-goalkeeper rotation. Gorsek, who missed two weeks with an injured wrist, returned Feb. 3 but has played in only two of five games since.

Sources close to the Sockers said that forward Paul Dougherty is among the players being discussed in trade talks. The Lazers are also reportedly interested in forward Poli Garcia and midfielder Chris Chueden.

Socker Notes

The Major Indoor Soccer League awarded a new franchise to Cleveland Monday that will begin play in the 1989-90 season. The Cleveland Crunch will play in the Richfield Coliseum where the Force played from 1978-88.