Chicago Can’t Afford Zungul; Spirit Up Next

CHICAGO —  Spin the big wheel and see what team Socker forward Steve Zungul might end up playing for.

For a brief spell Thursday, the Chicago Sting appeared to have thrown its name in the hat.

“We’d love to have Steve here,” owner Lee Stern said. “The problem is we can’t afford Steve. We can’t compete in that derby.”

According to Zungul, who is talking with the Pittsburgh Spirit and Tacoma Stars, there is a 50-50 chance he will leave the Sockers this season. He must do so before the Major Indoor Soccer League freeze date of March 2.

The reason the Sockers would even consider selling Zungul is because owner Bob Bell says the franchise needs money. Bell has repeatedly explained that if the proposed salary cap goes into effect, the Sockers’ payroll will be too high.

Zungul earns about $200,000 a season and has one more year remaining on his contract.

Zungul said he has a meeting with the Spirit scheduled this weekend in Pittsburgh.

In his negotiations with these other clubs, Zungul said he is looking for three things:

A team to pick up his Socker contract and add another year to it. It must all be guaranteed so that if the franchise folds, he will still have be paid.

Bonuses if his team makes the playoffs and if it wins the championship.

Three months off during the summer. Zungul has mentioned that he might play outdoor soccer back home in Yugoslavia.