Sockers Expected to Announce Signing of Crow

Last week’s rumor will be today’s announcement: Kevin Crow, who had been leaning toward retirement, will come back and anchor the Sockers’ defense one more season, sources said.

The club has called a news conference for 10 this morning to announce Crow’s signing.

Crow led the team in blocks six of the past seven seasons. He played a crucial role in last year’s championship season when he tutored several inexperienced defenders and turned the defense, considered a weak point before the season, into a strength.

But during the season Crow considered retiring from the Major Soccer League, which annually asks players to take pay cuts, and concentrate on a more lucrative career.

With the schedule whittled from 52 to 40 games this season, Crow can continue to play and also work at Mesa Distributing for former Sockers’ owner Ron Fowler.

It is expected Crow will get the maximum MSL salary, $60,000.

In another development, the Sockers on Wednesday signed their first free agent and first non-defensive player, Tim Wittman, a native of Baltimore who has spent his 10-year career with his hometown team, the Blast.

Wittman signed for one year (financial arrangements were not disclosed) and will help a team that has already lost midfielder Brian Quinn to the U.S. national team and forwards Paul Wright and Rod Castro to the Blast.

Last year Wittman played in only 33 of the Blast’s 52 games but finished fourth on the team with 54 points (30 goals, 24 assists).

In other news:

-- The MSL announced that John Borozzi, who served as vice president/general manager for the Blast last year, will become the deputy commissioner and handle day-to-day operations of the league.

-- The National Professional Soccer League announced it will move into Kansas City for the 1991-92 season. The MSL Comets operated in Kansas City for 10 years before folding last month. The new team is expected to play in the 9,000-seat Municipal Auditorium if the city council approves lease terms.