With Draft Picks, Splash Thinks Offense First

The Splash went for offense with its first pick of the 1997 Continental Indoor Soccer League player draft, but tried to shore up its defense with its final four picks.

Kevin Sloan, 26, played five years indoors in the NPSL and had 224 goals and 96 assists in 170 games. He played five games last year with Sacramento.

The Splash followed the selection of Sloan by choosing defender Alfredo Sanchez, 29, who last played with Atlante in Mexico and should bring additional toughness to the team; Brian Irvin, 23, an aggressive defensive midfielder who played last year at UCLA; defensive-minded midfielder Francisco Jaime, 34, who played for the Splash in 1994 and 1995; and Jorge Valenzuela, 31, the Splash’s starting goalkeeper in 1994 and 1995 before losing his job to Ruben Fernandez during the 1995 season.

“We weren’t looking for anything specific--we’re pretty happy with the people we have coming back,” said Steve Samaha, Splash general manager. “In the first two picks, we feel we’ve helped ourselves immensely.”

Sanchez gives the Splash more experience in the back--a weakness last year--and Sloan could be a boon in trying to fill the void left by Sam George (19 goals, seven assists), who is playing for New England of the MLS.

San Diego, the Splash’s Western Division rival, drafted three players with local ties, including midfielder Antonio Farace, who had one assist in 14 games with the Splash last year. Farace was taken in the first round with the 12th pick overall. Forward Eddie Soto, who played for the Salsa, was chosen in the second round, and Richard Breza, who played at UC Irvine, was chosen in the fourth round.