Sockers Seeking Support : MSL: Players and management want a sellout in Game 6.

Are the Sockers spoiled?

Most Major Soccer League players use the future tense when discussing championships.

Not here. During the Sockers’ flight Wednesday from Cleveland, midfielders Branko Segota and Waad Hirmez had a conversation about two of the Sockers’ past championship years.

There was a problem. They thought they were discussing the same series. They weren’t, and eventually confused each other.

Segota finally noticed a reporter eavesdropping on them.

“I don’t know,” he said. “We’ve won too many championships. I can’t remember them all.”

And they’re going for one more, their ninth in 10 years and fourth in a row at 7:35 tonight at the Sports Arena against the Cleveland Crunch in Game 6 of the MSL championship series.

The Sockers lead the series, 3-2.

Next question:

Are Sockers’ fans spoiled?

Only 7,785 showed up at the Sports Arena for Game 1 of the championship series. Game 2 was played in front of 6,996 before the series moved back to Cleveland, where the Sockers won two of three.

In those three, the Crunch attracted crowds of 10,831, 12,102 and 14,571.

Now it’s back home, where the Sockers must wonder if they have any support and whether owner Ron Fowler will continue to fund the team in spite of falling attendance.

Maybe Fowler is waiting for some sort of indication. Maybe the players and coaching staff are, too.

“If we don’t sell out for this game,” said Hirmez, who has won five championships with the team, “that will be a sign that we are not appreciated. They will be letting us know that we are not wanted.”

Hirmez is not alone with that opinion.

“I’m going to be very disappointed if there are any empty seats,” Coach Ron Newman said. “We gave them television (the games in Cleveland were carried live on local cable systems), we gave them everything they wanted. Now we want them to come out and give us some support.”

Newman said a problem has been that local fans have gained a quirky sophistication.

“Over the last few years the fans have learned that these are seven-game series,” he said. “And they wait until we get into the really meaty stuff before they come out.”

It doesn’t get any meatier than this. Tonight’s game will be the first time since 1986, when the Sockers defeated the Minnesota Strikers for their fifth championship, that they have had the opportunity to win a title at home.

“We’re building a great story,” Newman continued. “This is becoming an incredible accomplishment. We could win our ninth championship and that makes the story even more bizarre, more unbelievable. We have the opportunity to make one of sport’s history’s incredible stories and I am absolutely delighted to be involved in it. And anyone who comes out to see us would be involved in it and you would think they would be delighted for the chance.”

As far as barometers go for tonight’s attendance, how about the team’s reception at the airport?

There was one TV crew and a smattering of fans.

But the airport scene really wasn’t a good measuring tool . . . the plane arrived 25 minutes earlier than scheduled.

If nothing else, this series has offered a dramatic contrast in styles. While Cleveland has relied on forwards Zoran Karic and Hector Marinaro for most of its points (the duo has accounted for 22 of the team’s 40 points), the Sockers have mixed everybody into the offense.

Even the defenders. The Sockers’ five defenders (David Banks, Glenn Carbonara, Ben Collins, Kevin Crow, Alex Golovnia) have accounted for seven goals and four assists. The Crunch’s five defenders, on the other hand, have combined for one goal and two assists.

The Sockers also have alternated scoring leaders for each game.

In Game 1, Segota came through with two goals and two assists. In Game 2, Wes Wade scored two goals, and Rod Castro punched in two more in Game 3. Golovnia had a goal and an assist in Game 4.

In Game 5, there were two scoring heroes, Hirmez, who scored twice, and Michael Collins, who assisted on three goals.

“Ever since the playoffs started we have had different people stepping up to play a crucial role,” Brian Quinn said.

Segota and Hirmez, a native of Baghdad, Iraq, were talking again as the plane landed.

Segota: “Boy, a week in Cleveland.”

Hirmez: “Yeah, a week in Cleveland is like a month in Baghdad.”

The games in Cleveland took a toll. The Sockers’ injury report is deeper than it has been all year.

Hirmez, who strained a muscle in his rib cage in Game 3, is probable, thoughmerely coughing caused him pain Wednesday.

Also listed as probable are: Paul Wright, who aggravated a sprained left ankle in Game 5; Ben Collins, who has been playing with one sprained ankle and who sprained the other in Game 5; David Banks, who strained his right hip flexor muscle in Game 5; and Rod Castro, who suffered a left thigh contusion and a right hamstring strain Tuesday.

Segota, who strained his right hamstring early in Game 2, remains questionable. On Wednesday he said he still cannot sprint.

“And did you see how the game was played Tuesday?” he asked about the end-to-end action in Game 5.