Brian Quinn is Leaving the Sockers
Even if the Major Soccer League and the Sockers return next season, Brian Quinn will not.
The Sockers’ fourth all-time leading scorer announced yesterday he is close to signing a two-year deal with the U.S. National team that will include options that could allow him to play in the 1994 World Cup. He said he will not play both outdoor and indoor.
Since becoming a U.S. citizen in April, Quinn has maintained his goal is to play for the U.S. team in the World Cup. He made it clear the the MSL’s ownership woes had nothing to do with his decision to leave the indoor game.
“I plan to play full time for the United States Soccer Federation,” Quinn said. “And at this point in my career I can’t continue to play 60-70 games a year.”
Socker Coach Ron Newman, who has spent the past year trumpeting Quinn’s outdoor skills to the USSF, did not hide the fact that Quinn’s departure will be devastating to the team.
“I’m very pleased with Brian,” Newman said. “He has done the MSL proud. He has proven that MSL players are still soccer players . . .
“Many people feel Brian is the best indoor soccer player. He’s fully dimensional. . . . He plays both ends of the field, offense and defense and he dictates the way the game develops. He will be very difficult to replace.”
The Sockers have won seven championships since Quinn joined the team in 1983. He is also a seven-time All-Star and two-time MVP of the championship series.
HOCKEY
The Gulls, who are in the process of finalizing their 1991-92 International Hockey League schedule, will open the season at home against the Salt Lake Golden Eagles Oct. 3-4.
The Gulls were 4-12 against Salt Lake during their inaugural season last year. Both teams play in the Western Division, where the Gulls finished fifth and the Golden Eagles second.
Gulls Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell said he plans to interview two or three candidates for the vacant head coaching job later this week. He also said he will probably reach a cooperative franchise agreement with two NHL teams on Friday.
GOLF
Michael Ruiz of San Diego shot an opening-round 72 and is four strokes off the lead at the Ben Hogan Boys’ Junior Championship tournament at the par-71, 6,355-yard Cottonwood Valley course in Irving, Tex.
Bonita’s Christy Erb improved six strokes in the second round of the U.S. Women’s amateur tournament and finished the second round with a four-over-par 76 at the 6,067-yard Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kan. Her two-day total is 158, 14 strokes off the lead and two strokes under the cut.
