SOCCER

After appearing imminent Monday morning, the trade that would have sent midfielder Mike Sweeney to the Sockers from the Cleveland Crunch has been aborted.

Sockers Coach Ron Newman said that he would like to have Sweeney, but he wasn’t sure if Sweeney would like to be in San Diego.

“We don’t feel he’s that keen on coming here,” Newman said. “He’s a good player, and he could help us, but only if his attitude is right.”

Sweeney would not comment on his interest in playing here, but did say he was notified Monday at 9 a.m. (EST) that the trade had been consummated. He said he was notified that evening that it was called off.

Sweeney has business interests in the Cleveland area and it is believed he does not want to abandon them.

At 6-12 the Crunch has the worst record in the Major Soccer League and Sweeney, sources say, has precipitated a trade by blaming the team’s problems on its coach, Kai Haaskivi.