He Does Not Want to Be a Regular Joe

Joe Flanagan, who holds the career scoring record for the Cal State Dominguez Hills soccer team, has found it difficult to get into a game in his first professional season with the Los Angeles Heat. He has started two games, played in six and has scored only one goal.

But when the Heat, who have had difficulty scoring goals, play the California Emperors on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the University of Redlands, Flanagan might prove to be a pivotal player, as he was on Monday against Real Santa Barbara. A surprise starter in the midfield, he created several opportunities for his teammates as the Heat won, 2-1.

Flanagan also got the start in the ensuing mini-game that the Heat won, 1-0.

“He was steady,” general manager Jill Fracisco said. “He didn’t let anyone down. He made no major errors.”

The winner of the L.A.-California game, which decides the Southern Division title of the American Professional Soccer League West, advances to play the Northern Division champion in a home-and-home series. The Heat (11-9) twice defeated the Emperors (10-10) in overtime this season, but California has won seven consecutive games since losing to the Heat on July 1.

The Emperors climbed out of the cellar to win the Southern Division title. The Heat, which briefly fell into last place as California moved upward, clawed back and finished second. Despite having a poorer overall record, the Emperors scored three more goals than the Heat to win the division title.

Scoring goals in playoff games is always more difficult because teams often sit back and bunch in front of the net. Scoring hasn’t been the Heat’s forte all season. In 20 regular season games, L.A. managed only 29 goals, although in its past four games it has scored 10. Flanagan will try to add to that, one way or another.

“I think the thing I offer the Heat is that I give them my best work rate,” he said. “I want to make a difference, whatever it is, I just don’t want to go out on the field and be a statistic.”

The Heat will be without spirited defender Danny Pena, who will sit out the game because he has accumulated five yellow cards. Also expected to miss the game is midfielder Mike Getchell, another player with five yellow cards. The Heat filed a protest over the Getchell matter, but should he be unavailable, it will more than likely be Flanagan who starts at center half.

“This is my chance,” Flanagan said. “It’s the thing I dream about.”

Flanagan has heard his name shouted from the stands several times this year as he took his seat on the Heat bench. South Bay soccer fans remember his scoring prowess at West Torrance High and Cal State Dominguez Hills, where he scored 38 career goals and in 1988 helped the Toros to a share of the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. title.

Fracisco insists Flanagan’s time will come.

“With all the very talented players we have on this team, it’s unfortunate that anyone has to sit,” she said. “Joe has proven against top professional players that he can play (in practice). He has really come around.”

Against California, Flanagan has extra incentive. He would like nothing better than to collect a ball in the midfield, dribble up the middle and turn toward the goal from 15 yards out. He would see goalkeeper Chris Wilson, a former high school and college teammate.

“I know Chris and he knows me,” said Flanagan. “I would love nothing better than to stick one in the back of the net.”

They remain the best of friends. Earlier this summer they worked together at youth soccer camps and Flanagan spent much of his free time this past week with Wilson.

“It’s odd that all the time we were together in high school and college we never got to play together in the playoffs,” Flanagan said. “But here we are, our first year out of college and we will be playing against each other.”

Even if he does not play Saturday, Flanagan thinks he has solidified his future as a professional player. He also thinks the Heat can continue its winning ways.

“We need to be creating things, playing within our roles, not overdoing things.” he said.

Flanagan is just hoping to have a chance to contribute to a victory.