Sidekicks Again Test Sockers

One year later, the Sockers are back for another run through J.R. Ewing’s town and another run-in with the Dallas Sidekicks.

The Sockers continue their quest for an eighth indoor title when the MISL’s best-of-seven Western Division championship series begins tonight at 5:35 in Reunion Arena.

The Sidekicks extended the Sockers to the limit in last season’s playoffs before midfielder Branko Segota sent a 30-footer that curved into the right corner of the goal in Game 7 to give the Sockers a 1-0 victory and a trip to the finals against Baltimore.

What’s new with the Sidekicks? Well, they’ve improved.

If Socker Coach Ron Newman goes by the numbers, he has to figure his team is in for trouble.

First of all, Dallas finished the regular season 31-21, six games ahead of the Sockers (25-27). Forward Tatu led the MISL in points with 64 goals and 49 assists, defender Wes McCleod led in blocks with 154 and goalie Joe Papaleo had the best goals-against average at 3.34.

Statistically, the Sockers fell well short. At the conclusion of the regular season, Segota was the points leader with 27 goals and 34 assists, defender George Fernandez led in blocks with 98 and goalies Zoltan Toth (3.48 GAA) and Victor Nogueira (3.61 GAA) were both behind Papaleo.

About the only thing the Sidekicks didn’t do was play consistently against the Sockers, who won the series, 5-3. Dallas did pound them, 9-3, in the opener Oct. 28. The Sockers were only potent with their words that night.

Said midfielder Waad Hirmez: “If they’re going to peak in the first game of the season, that’s fine. We peak at the end.”

Nice try, but Dallas was at a peak throughout the season, while the Sockers peeked timidly at the standings to see how far behind they were.

What remains to be seen is if intangibles will help the Sockers. The reward the Sidekicks received for winning the division was a 20-day vacation and home-field advantage. A week ago, that looked awfully important, but after winning just six of 26 games on the road during the regular season, the Sockers went 2-0 in St. Louis in the first round.

The Sockers now have four tough games with St. Louis to their credit, and that might work in their favor.

“I don’t think it’s the best situation (for the Sidekicks) to go into,” Newman said. “I know I wouldn’t like it. If you’re resting, you’re getting your players fit again. But the down side is you’re not getting any competition. We’ve got the best of both worlds. We’ve gained four competitive games without any injuries.”

Dallas is a young but experienced team that returned 15 of 18 players from last season. The only real loss during the off-season was forward Michael King, who departed to the Cleveland Crunch and then finished fourth in the league in scoring with 45 goals and 26 assists.

It’s hard to tell yet if the Sockers are better or worse than they were at this point last season. Veteran forward Steve Zungul was at his best during the playoffs in 1989 and provided the Sockers with an extra splash of experience. Arthritic hips will prevent him from doing anything more than watching now.

The Sockers lost some offensive punch when forward Zoran Karic, who led the Sockers in scoring during the regular season last year, was traded to Cleveland for forward Paul Wright. What they gained was chemistry that has helped them win 12 of 19 games since.

If Segota’s game picks up and forwards Rod Castro and Damir Haramina continue playing well, the Sockers figure to have an offense as potent as last year’s.

There are two big questions:

Is Dallas good enough to send the Sockers home before the championship series for only the second time in nine years? Or is Dallas good enough to be here but not good enough to win?

Series Notes

Defender Cacho is still having problems with fluid on his left knee but will play full shifts tonight. . . . Midfielder Ben Collins, who has been out since March 31 with a right foot sprain, has been cleared to play for this series but is not on the trip. . . . Midfielder Brian Quinn (two goals, seven assists) is tied for the MISL playoff scoring lead with Kansas City forward Dale Mitchell, who has six goals and three assists.