Realigned Soccer League Might Include L.A. Team

Former officials of the defunct American Professional Soccer League West say they have talked to Los Angeles-area investors about the possibility of forming a team that would participate in a realigned American Professional Soccer League.

The new team would replace the L.A. Heat, which played its games in Torrance. The Heat, which finished second in the APSL West last season, closed its doors in January shortly before the APSL West, which once had 11 teams, announced it was merging with the 11-team APSL East.

The Heat was one of eight APSL West teams to fold and one of 10 to abandon the old league since the season ended in September. The new APSL announced recently that it would field eight teams this season and that it will play a May-to-October schedule.

However, in a press release the new league says it is seeking to expand. Other cities under consideration are Boston, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Atlanta, Phoenix and Long Island, N.Y.

For the remainder of February, Daniels Field in San Pedro will be the site for several Greater Los Angeles Soccer League semipro games.

On Sunday at 1 p.m., Empire Riverside plays King Taco, and at 3 p.m. Inter America takes on El Salvador. Thursday night at 7:45 Inter Los Angeles plays the Croat/Riptide in a U.S. National Open Cup Playoff.

On Feb. 22, Inter America plays Padco at 8 p.m. in another U.S. National Open Cup match. On Feb. 24, Daniels Field will play host to the California State Cup playoffs. Information: (213) 323-5008.

El Camino College and Loyola Marymount have been chosen sites for the annual spring Blue Chip Basketball Shootouts.

The Shootouts are two-day tournaments for top high school girls and boys seeking to show their skills to college recruiters, who are permitted to attend the sessions. The girls event will be held at El Camino March 23-24. The boys will play at Loyola April 6-7. Information: (213) 325-6832.