Heat Edge Santa Barbara, Meet California for Division Title

The Los Angeles Heat play the California Emperors, the hottest team in the league, at the University of Redlands on Saturday at 3 p.m. to decide the Southern Division championship of the American Professional Soccer League West.

The Heat, the best road team in the division, opened playoff action with a 1-0 loss to Real Santa Barbara on Saturday, but won the right to meet California by defeating host Santa Barbara on Monday, 2-1, in a regulation game and 1-0 in the 30-minute mini-game that followed.

The Heat is 7-4 on the road. The Emperors lost both games to the Heat in overtime this season, but have won seven consecutive games. California’s last loss came to the Heat on penalty kicks July 1.

The winner plays the Northern Division champion (Salt Lake City, Colorado or San Francisco) in a home-and-home series Sept. 7-9 and 14-16.

Heat defender Danny Pena, who received his fifth yellow card Monday, will not be allowed to play Saturday. Midfielder Mike Getchell might also be prohibited from playing. Getchell also received his fifth yellow card, but the Heat has filed a protest with the league asking that it be rescinded.