Sockers Go After Perez

Socker Coach Ron Newman is hoping that Hugo Perez will join U.S. national teammate Brian Quinn in entertaining an offer from his old indoor club.

Newman said he contacted Perez’s agent, Michael Hogue, earlier this week.

Perez played five years for the Sockers beginning in 1983. After establishing himself as a top goal-scorer, he left following the 1987-88 season upset with the falling salary cap and determined to ply his skills outdoors in Europe.

While negotiations for Perez have yet to begin, those with Quinn are picking up steam after a two-week lull. Newman said he contacted Quinn’s agent, Brian Halliday, earlier this week and sweetened the pot.

Newman expects to hear from Halliday today.

Money could be a major stumbling block with Perez, who possesses the outstanding dribbling skills that once dominated the Major Soccer League but have been disappearing in correlation with the salary cap.

With only $150,000 left to spend on players and five roster spots to fill, Newman hopes an offer of $40,000 will suffice since Perez could combine it with his national team salary to become the highest paid soccer player in the U.S.

But $40,000 is the same offer Quinn initially balked at and it is an offer that might disappear on Friday if Paul Wright wins his arbitration hearing with the Baltimore Blast and is declared a free agent.

Socker Notes

Defender Arturo Velazco, whom the Sockers have been trying to sign, will go back to Milwaukee of the developmental National Professional Soccer League. Milwaukee had an option on Velazco’s contract that the Sockers unsuccessfully contested. . . . The Sockers announced that San Diego McDonald’s Restaurants has signed a two-year sponsorship.