September 11, 1998

Vancouver is First Playoff Opponent

EIGHT-SEED 86ERs A TOUGH FOE IN SINGLE-ELIMINATION PLAYOFF MATCH


Tom Tate start in goal for the Flash in their first playoff game.

The surprising San Diego Flash will play its first-ever playoff match Saturday, September 12 at Devore Stadium against the tough and physical Vancouver 86ers (15-13, 41). San Diego earned the number one seed and home-field advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs by virtue of having the best point total in the West, 61. The 61 points, represents the second best total in all of professional soccer including MLS. Rochester finished with 70 points and the number one seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

San Diego's first round opponent was not decided until overtime of the final match of the A-League season. Seattle defeated Vancouver 2-1 in the extra session Monday night to keep the 86ers in the eighth position. A Vancouver win and the Flash would have hosted New Orleans Saturday. San Diego swept the two-game season series, winning 3-2 in overtime in Canada on May 6 and 1-0 at home on May 22.

Goalkeeper Joe Cannon will not be available for Saturday's match, due to his red-card suspension. Cannon received a red card for dissent while on the bench of Sunday's season finale against Orange County. He apparently was not a fan of referee Brian Elliott and make it known, while resting a sore knee in the second half. Elliott issued the card in the 55th minute and sent Cannon off the field to the locker room.

Goalkeeper Tom Tate will get the start in goal Saturday versus Vancouver. Tate appeared in two A-League matches allowing only one goal an started in two of the three international games. He is a product of the University of San Diego and has the confidence of the coaching staff behind him. "Tommy can start for most A-League teams, he just got caught playing behind Joe Cannon's tremendous season. He is sold and I expect him to rise to the occasion," stated Flash Coach Costa Skouras.

FIRST-ROUND PLAY OFF DATE IS SEPTEMBER 2, TICKETS ON SALE NOW

The Flash's first round single-elimination match will be played on Saturday, September 12 in the "Lightning Bowl" at Devore Stadium, 7:30 p.m. kickout. The opponent is the Vancouver 86ers, the Western Conference's eighth seeded team. Tickets are on sale now and are available through Ticketmaster or by calling the Flash ticket office at 581-2120.

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