San Diego vs. Vancouver

Date: Saturday, Sept. 12 in San Diego at 7:30 p.m. (PT) SAN DIEGO FLASH (No. 1 seed) ’98 Record: 21-7, 61 points Division (Finish): Pacific (first) Coach (Record): Costa Skouras (13-2, first year; replaced Ralf Wilhelms) Key Players (Stats): M-Antonio Robles (15, 4, 34), F-Carlos Farias (9, 6, 24), M-Nate Hetherington (6, 6, 18), D-Michael N’Doumbe, GK-Joe Cannon (0.80 GAA, 11 shutouts, 141 saves) Season Summary: The first-year Flash, who moved from Colorado, has been the surprise of the ’98 season. It’s had success both in the standings, where it finished with the best record in the Western Conference, and in the stands, where they averaged more than 3,000 fans per game. Head Coach Costa Skouras, who took over the coaching reigns in mid-season, has guided the club to a remarkable 13-2 record, including a 10-game winning streak before a loss ended the regular season. Behind goalkeeper Cannon’s 11 shutouts and with the help of defenders N’Doumbe, Jimmy Conrad and Jamie Munro, San Diego has allowed a conference-low 23 goals. The Flash is tied for the best home mark with a 12-3 record. Longest Winning Streak: 10 games. Longest Losing Streak: 1 game. ’97 record: n/a (team’s first year). VANCOUVER 86ERS (No. 8) ’98 Record: 15-13, 41 points. Division (Finish): Pacific (fourth). Coach (Record): Carl Valentine (61-66, fifth year). Key Players (Stats): F-Jason Jordan (8, 3, 19), D-Paul Dailly (5, 5, 15), M-Oliver Heald (5, 4, 14), F-Domenic Mobilio (6, 0, 12). Season Summary: The 86ers lack a star, but were able to lock up fourth place in the Pacific Division. Jordan remains the team’s best scoring threat, but Mobilio, who finished in the top 10 in A-League scoring in 1997, can come alive at any given time. Jordan’s partner up front has been Chris Clarke or Alfredo Valente. Longest Winning Streak: 3 games. Longest Losing Streak: 4 games. ’97 Record: 16-12, 46 points. ’97 Playoff History: The 86ers beat California and Seattle before losing a three-game series to Milwaukee in the Western Conference final.

Nashville vs. New Orleans

Date: Saturday, Sept. 12 in Nashville at 7:30 p.m. ET. NASHVILLE METROS (No. 2) ’98 Record: 20-8, 56 points. Division (Finish): Central (first). Coach (Record): Greg Peterson (35-19, second year). Key Players (Stats): F-John Smith (9, 11, 29), F-Martin Reynders (11, 6, 28), M-Steve Klein (8, 8, 24), M-Kevin Quigley (8, 7, 23), D-Gabe Eastman. Season Summary: With 70 goals, the Metros are undeniably the offensive powerhouse of the Western Conference. With forwards Reynders and Smith and midfielders Quigley and Klein, the Metros bring an all-out attack that few opponents have been able to contain. With the help of defenders Eastman and Kalin Bankov and ’98 All-Star keeper Randy Dedini, the Metros allowed just 31 goals in 28 games, the fifth best mark in all of the A-League. Longest Winning Streak: 5 games. Longest Losing Streak: 2 games. ’97 Record: 17-11, 37 points. ’97 Playoff History: Lost in the first round of the Central Division playoffs to Milwaukee. NEW ORLEANS STORM (No. 7) ’98 Record: 15-13, 43 points. Division (Finish): Central (fourth). Coach: Daryl Shore (15-13, first year). Key Players (Stats): F-Gary Glasgow (15, 4, 34), M-Lester Felician (6, 10, 22), F-Khary Stockton (8, 4, 20), D-Glenn Benjamin (3, 7, 13). Season Summary: The last team to qualify in the West, the Storm boasts the Trinidadian Trio of forward Glasgow, midfielder and 1997 PDSL MVP Felician and defender Benjamin. Stockton and Mauricio Villanueva can also provide some offensive punch out of the midfield, but defense remains the big problem, as the Storm finished the regular season with just a +3 goal differential (53 goals scored, 50 goals allowed). Longest Winning Streak: 4 games. Longest Losing Streak: 3 games (twice). ’97 Record: 16-12, 42 points. ’97 Playoff History: Beat Orlando to advance to the second round of the Central Division playoffs before falling to Milwaukee.

Seattle vs. Orange County

Date: Sunday, Sept. 13 in Seattle at 5:05 pm. PT. SEATTLE SOUNDERS (No. 3) ’98 Record: 18-10, 52 points. Division (Finish): Pacific (second). Coach (Record): Neil Megson (57-34, third year). Key Players (Stats): M-Mark Baena (24, 5, 53), F-Patrick Beech (12, 4, 28), F-Erik Storkson (9, 3, 21), D-Brandon Prideaux (2, 6, 10), GK-Dusty Hudock (1.00 GAA, 10 shutouts, 142 saves). Season Summary: After a 4-4 start, the Sounders went 14-6 after ex-California Jaguar Mark Baena joined the club. Baena, who finished the season as the A-League scoring and goal leader, has 20 goals and five assists in those 20 games. Seattle also features two talented forwards in Jamaican Beech and Erik Storkson. Hudock, the 1997 A-League Goalkeeper of the Year, continues to shine in goal and leads a defense that has allowed just 28 goals on the year (second in the Western Conference). Longest Winning Streak: 5 games. Longest Losing Streak: 4 games. ’97 Record: 18-10, 50 points. ’97 Playoff History: Advanced to the second round of the Pacific Division playoffs with two wins over Colorado, but lost the best-of-three series with Vancouver. ORANGE COUNTY ZODIAC (No. 6) ’98 Record: 16-12, 46 points. Division (Finish): Pacific (third). Coach (Record): Mike Gartlan (16-12, first year). Key Players (Stats): F-Steve Patterson (11, 6, 28), M-Eddie Soto (8, 7, 23), F-P.J. Polowski (8, 4, 20), M-Brad Wilson (7, 5, 19). Season Summary: After building a 9-5 record and holding on to first place in the Pacific Division for most of the first half of the season, the Zodiac faltered toward the end, finishing the second half of the season 7-7. The Zodiac features a strong core of offensive sparkplugs, including forwards Patterson and Polowski, and midfielders Soto and Wilson. Defense is the team’s biggest weakness. The Zodiac has given up more goals (43) than 15 of the 16 playoff teams. Longest Winning Streak: 4 games. Longest Losing Streak: 3 games. ’97 Record: 11-17, 31 points. ’97 Playoff History: Did not make playoffs.

Minnesota vs. Milwaukee

Date: Saturday, Sept. 12 in Blaine, Minn., at 7:30 pm. CT MINNESOTA THUNDER (#4) ’98 Record: 19-9, 51 points. Division (Finish): Central (first). Coach (Record): Buzz Lagos (112-42-1, ninth year). Key Players (Stats): F-Amos Magee (15, 10, 40), F-Gabe Garcia (9, 2, 20), M-Kevin Anderson (7, 2, 16), D-Don Gramenz (3, 4, 10), GK-John Swallen (1.09 GAA, 19-7, 7 shutouts). Season Summary: With the league’s longest tenured coach at the helm, the Thunder completed a remarkable turn-around from last season’s disappointing 13-15 finish. Minnesota has been a team of streaks, posting streaks of five, four and three games (twice) while never losing more than two consecutive games. Longest Winning Streak: 5 games. Longest Losing Streak: 2 games. ’97 Record: 13-15, 35 points. ’97 Playoff History: Did not make playoffs. MILWAUKEE RAMPAGE (No. 5) ’98 Record: 17-11, 49 points. Division (Finish): Central (third). Coach (Record): Bob Gansler (50-30, third year). Key Players (Stats): M-Jon Szczepanski (8, 12, 28), M-Jason Willan (7, 11, 25), F-David Marshall (10, 5, 25), F-Travis Roy (4, 9, 17), D-Mike Huwiler. Season Summary: The defending A-League champs have improved on their mark of 14-14 just a year ago and are looking to have the same post-season success that earned them the title in 1997. Under the leadership of playmakers Willan and Szczepanski, last year’s post-season MVP, the Rampage finished third in the Central Division. Milwaukee scored 61 goals on the year (third in the Western Conference). Longest Winning Streak: 4 games. Longest Losing Streak: 3 games. ’97 Record: 14-14, 36 points. ’97 Playoff History: Won the 1997 A-League title with a 2-1 shootout win over Carolina, after beating Nashville, New Orleans and Vancouver.