Sockers Again Go Long Way : MISL finals: Having failed, as they did last year, to clinch championship at home, they must now win tonight or Saturday at Baltimore for the title.
BALTIMORE — A year and two days ago, the Sockers won their seventh indoor championship by defeating the Baltimore Blast, 6-5, in a roller-coaster ride in Game 7.
After the victory, defender Kevin Crow was asked why it is that his team always arrives at its destination after taking so many detours and wrong turns.
His answer:
“The nature of this team is to do things the hard way. This is an emotional team. That’s why we have so many peaks and valleys.”
If that explains why the Sockers are now in Baltimore rather than on vacation, understand that this wasn’t by design. It never is. The Sockers really aren’t interested in storybook finishes. They were ready to take this year’s MISL championship series Wednesday night in San Diego and get a head start on summer.
But the Blast put up an obstacle, winning Game 5, 3-2, in front of a sellout crowd in the San Diego Sports Arena. Same thing happened last year.
Now, the Sockers will try for a similar finish. They lead the best-of-seven series, 3-2, entering Game 6 tonight at 5 p.m. (PDT) in Baltimore Arena. If necessary, Game 7 will be played here Saturday.
What’s this year’s explanation?
“Typical Sockers,” said midfielder Waad Hirmez. “Just got to do it the hard way. It would have been great to win it in front of the home crowd, but I know they’ll forgive us if we win it on the road.”
Everything was going smoothly for the Sockers before Wednesday. The Blast seemed to have a cloud hanging over them everywhere they went.
Midfielder Billy Ronson, both a scoring threat and a playmaker, came down with a stomach virus and was forced to miss Monday’s game. Defender Mike Reynolds returned Wednesday after missing the first four games with a sprained foot.
The Sockers had won three in a row, and the goal posts facing the Baltimore players seemed to be the size of redwood tree trunks. The Blast kept working the ball into the box and shooting, then shaking the post rather than the net.
To bring the series back home, the Blast used a strategy similar to the one it used in Game 4, playing tight defense and waiting for opportunities. This time, though, no member of the Sockers scored a hat trick, as forward Wes Wade did to lead them to a 4-1 victory on Monday.
Certainly, Baltimore knows how to beat the Sockers. It proved as much during the regular season, winning four of seven. But taking two in a row with a championship on the line is a bit different.
“I think I’d still prefer to be in their position than ours,” said Blast midfielder Paul Dougherty, who played for the Sockers the past three seasons. “But now we’ve got a bit of life.”
They have another thing. Stamina. Blast Coach Kenny Cooper has been a virtual drill sergeant throughout the season, running his team through many two-a-day practices. Consequently, they don’t often tire in the fourth quarter.
“I think now is where we have the advantage of being the fitter team,” Dougherty said. “I felt it might come down to the fittest team in the end. But with San Diego’s skill, it’s difficult to say.”
Having two experienced goalkeepers figures to be an advantage for the Sockers if the series goes to a seventh game. Victor Nogueira will likely start tonight, Zoltan Toth Saturday, if necessary. The Blast has relied heavily on Scott Manning, who has started all but two playoff games and has been consistent throughout. Starting back-to-back games this weekend might take away a bit of his sharpness.
The road is no longer as intimidating to the Sockers as it was during the regular season, when they won just six of 26 games. In the playoffs, they are 5-2.
One question remains. Can they once again win one the hard way?
“Absolutely,” Hirmez said. “We’re not down. The only disappointment we’re facing is we didn’t win it in front of our home crowd.”
That wouldn’t have been in keeping with tradition.
Series Notes
Both tonight’s and Saturday’s games will be televised live on Prime Ticket. Tonight’s broadcast is at 5 p.m., Saturday’s, if necessary, is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. . . . Blast defender Mike Stankovic is questionable for tonight’s game with a strained groin suffered Wednesday.
