Sockers Are Hoping to Get Close to Segota This Week

SAN DIEGO —  Sockers President Ron Cady, just before he left his office Friday, said he wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary this Labor Day weekend.

Don’t believe him.

This week is an important one for the Sockers as they wonder about their relationship with star forward Branko Segota, who puts soccer balls in the net and can help keep fans in the seats for the struggling Major Indoor Soccer League.

“I really hope we can have things resolved with Branko in the next seven days,” Cady said.

The problem right now is that Cady and the Sockers really aren’t in control. Because of the league’s new salary cap rules, the Sockers can offer Segota only so much money to play next season.

And Cady said Segota is weighing the option of playing in Europe this winter.

“If some team there makes him some big offer, there’s really nothing we can do about it,” Cady said.

Coach Ron Newman, who has been in England the last two months, is expected back in San Diego this week, and when he returns, it is expected that he will agree to a one-year deal with the team.

Cady said he hopes to meet with Newman as soon as the coach returns to iron everything out.

Though Newman is expected back, assistant coach Johan Aarnio will not return. The Sockers did not offer Aarnio a job, letting him go after six seasons as Newman’s assistant.

“We just needed a change there,” Cady said. “The assistant coach’s job is going to be different than in the past, and we felt it was best to bring in someone new.”

Cady said a search for a new assistant won’t begin until everything is wrapped up with Newman.

Someone who will return next season is midfielder Brian Quinn. Quinn agreed to a contract last week, believed to be in the $55,000-$60,000 range for one season.

Quinn joins Kevin Crow, Zoltan Toth and Gary Etherington to those who are signed, sealed and delivered to the Sockers for next season.