Heat and Blackhawks Battle for APSL West Title

The resurgent Los Angeles Heat, winner of seven of nine games, plays host to the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach in the first game of the American Professional Soccer League West Championship.

The two-game home-and-home playoff series resumes Wednesday at Spartan Stadium in San Jose. If the series ends in a tie, a 30-minute mini-game--with penalty kicks, if necessary--will decide the championship. The winner plays for the APSL title in Boston on Sept. 22 against the East Champion Maryland Bays.

The Blackhawks opened the year with a league-record seven consecutive victories. They are in the APSL West final for the second consecutive season.