The Miami Herald from Miami, Florida • 47

9 Off SUNDAY OCTOBER 25 1998 LU THE HERALD SOCCER A Maze of glory for Fire in MLS Cup: Haitian connection In France bleach-haired Haitian forward Wagneau Eloi is raising eyebrows with RC Lens Eloi came off the bench and scored only goal to beat Panathi-naikos in a League match It was his third goal in two games after scoring two in a French league match against Aux-erre last week is gifted and is inspired at the Lens coach Daniel Leclercq said games Fotopoulos has 20 goals for the fourth-ranked Gators (14-1) and she still has four regular-season matches remaining plus the SEC championship and NCAA playoffs Fotopoulos a Tampa -native was the leading scorer in 1995 and 1996 while at Southern Methodist University before transferring to Florida where she scored 34 goals as a junior She transferred to be closer to her hus- I band George the soccer 1 coach at University of Tampa Closer to home University of Florida senior Danielle Fotopoulos became the all-time leading scorer with a hat trick during the 9-1 win over Mississippi last week She has scored 106 goals three more than Mia Hamm (North Carolina 1989-93 with a redshirt year in and Tiffany Miibrett (Portland 1990-94) Through 15 the third choice behind Marcalo Salaa of Chile and Patrick Kluivart of the Netherlands has already contributed goals with his feet and his head and is a fan favorite The top team in each of the six groups advances to the quarterfinals along with the two top second-place teams As it stands now the group leaders are United Olympiakos (Greece) Galatasa-ray (Turkey) Kaiserslautern (Germany) Arsenal (England) and Inter Milan (Italy) The tournament continues through the spring of 1999 Major League Soccer season ends today with the MLS Cup so we figure about time to get acquainted with the Chicago Fire the team that will face two-time defending champion DC United at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena Calif Forgive us for waiting this long to write about the Fire but who in their right mind thought an expansion team would beat the LA Galaxy and make it to the title 4 game? Who knew that the Fire would produce the Goalkeeper of the Year (Zach Thornton) Defender of the Year (Luboa Kubik) and Coach of the Year (Bob Bradley)? And to top it off the Fire had the third-highest home attendance with an MICHELLE KAUFMAN average of 1 7886 per game Take note Fusion When the season began the only Fire player most fans could identify was goalkeeper Jorge Cam- poa the Mexican World Cupper with the flamboyant jerseys But then Thornton stepped in the net and became the leading keeper with a 117 goals-against average Thornton a Baltimore native and saxophone player is so good that nobody misses Campos who has returned to the Mexican league "Another reason for the success is the play of the Eastern European trio of Kubik (Czech Republic) midfielder Pater Nowak (Poland) and forward Jerzy Pod-brozny (Poland) Not only have BRADLEY: Was Bruce assistant and will coach against Arena today non-call The anti-Juventus sentiment grew stronger when Juve players were accused of taking performance-enhancing drugs Opposing fans chant (Doped!) when Juve plays away from home After five matches Inter and Juve share second place with 10 points behind leaders Fiorentina and one point ahead of Parma and Lazio PASSENGER TIRES Starting at IMPORT Starting 111 112 SPOTLIGHT I MLS CUP: 3:30 PM TODAY I CHS 10 25 they proven to be among the best imports but they were a huge draw with Polish fans And then Bradley a Princeton grad with a history degree who was an assistant to United coach Bruco Arana Bradley learned a lot from Arena Today we find out if he can defeat him The other United In Europe Manchester United has scored 1 1 goals in two games and leads a tough Champions League group that includes Barcelona and Bayern Munich United beat Brondby of Denmark 6-2 last week the biggest away-win in the six-year history of the Champions League and best result since 1964 when it beat Borussia Dortmund 6-1 United is also in second place in the English Premier League with 14 goals in three games A big reason for the success is the addition of Trinidad and Tobago native Dwight York who transferred from Aston Villa over the summer Yorke who was On the tube Today AC Milan vs Roma (10 a Fox Sports World) Colo-Colo vs Audax Italiano (noon FSW) Atlante vs Santos (1 pm Ch 23) Leon vs Necaxa (1 pm Ch 51) Juventus vs Inter Milan (2:30 pm FSW) River Plate vs Boca Juniors (2:30 pm Fox Sports America) Bayern Munich vs Kaiserslautern (5 pm FSW) Monday Racing de Santander vs Real Madrid1 (3 ESPN2) Wednesday UEFA Champions League match TBA (3 pm ESPN2) Herald sports writer Michelle Kaufman can be reached by e-mail at mkaufmanheraldcom EH elprice PERFORMANCE Starting at LIGHT TRUCK TIRES Starting at Our tires are inflated not our prices Hassle-free service 30 Day Ride Guarantee' batteries Custom Wheels Alignments Brakes New team new home ThunderCats open on road but den is NCR Center P14580R12 Classic LX 35000 mile warranty 155R12 Sport 35000 mile warranty P18560HR14 VIPER mile warranty TIRES at PERFORMANCE TIRES Starting at HIGH 42 P18560R14 Formula GT rated 35000 mile warranty GT II SPORT 5299 19570R14 66 99 5 3 99 20570R14 69 99 5999 Ultra 875 70000 Mile Warranty PASSENGER 99 $27 PI4580SR12 P155EI13 3599 P20575R14 P18575RH 50 99 P22S75R15 35000 P195-75R14 5199 P23575R15 APT Mile Warranty SPORT UTILITY 86 99 114 99 8899 129 99 11199 10299 Plus 50000 Mile Warranty PASSENGER $9R99 P15580SR13 Corsa 60000 Mile IMPORT As low as 15513 17570R13 18570R13 18570R14 P19575SR14 40 99 P21570SR15 54 99 P20575SR15 40 99 99 P1B570SR14 4199 All Vrain TV LIGHT TRUCK SPORT UTILITY LT21575R15 68 99 31x1050R15 89 99 LT23575R15 81 99 LT26575R16 114 99 30x9 50R15 88 99 LT2855R16 113 99 Viper 50000 Mile Warranty PERFORMANCE As low as P17570R13 HP 50000 Mile HIGH M2 99 PERFORMANCE P18560HR14 Tangier 6050000" LIGHT TRUCK P21575R15 P23575R1 P24S75R16 Special Order Triathlon II 80000 Mile Warranty TOURING P17570A13 49 99 P18S70R14 51 99 P21570R15 7199 P17565RI4 P2256QR16 Warranty S305 60000 Mile Warranty' HIGH PERFORMANCE $57! By MERI-JO BORZILLERI Herald Sports Writer A more fitting nickname for South latest pro team the indoor-soccer-playing Florida ThunderCats: Lucky Ducks The ThunderCats are the newest sprig in a sports landscape sprouting with franchises of late Major League Miami Fusion the Miami Matadors of the East Coast Hockey League and now the National Professional Soccer League ThunderCats all celebrate inaugural years in 1998 But the ThunderCats who open their season on the road against the Montreal Impact at 7:05 tonight might be the luckiest of all Sure they start the season with three-game road trip (tonight at Montreal Friday at Milwaukee Saturday at Harrisburg Pa) But then they come home And home is the new 1 92 million National Car Rental Center also home of the Florida Panthers Throw a rug of artificial turf on the ice and ready for the home opener: against the Kansas City Attack on Friday Nov 13 at 8:05 pm The ThunderCats have a few other things going for them that most expansion franchises They have a nucleus of championship players a coach with six national indoor titles to his credit and two goalies who were MVPs in their respective leagues last season have a very aggressive very competitive bunch of guys on the said ThunderCats coach Fernando Clavijo a 12-tirtie Major Indoor Soccer League all-star and a starting defender for the 1994 US World Cup team goal right now is making this franchise a very successful He has some convincing to do NPSL coaches voted Florida to finish last in the league in a pre- Aslowas P18560SR14 WW Bad blood Speaking of Inter Milan you can bet verbal darts will be flying today when Inter Milan plays Juventus in the oldest rivalry in Serie A Juventus traditionally has more fans but many Italians have switched allegiance after they felt Inter Milan was ripped off by the refs in an April match between the two clubs Referee Piero Ceccarini became public enemy No 1 when he failed to award a penalty kick for Mark bodycheck on Ronaldo Debates raged all over the country even in parliament where one session had to be suspended after two politicians nearly came to blows over the At least three players starting tonight are former SeaDogs from the now-defunct CISL: defender Gaston Pernia midfielder Richard McCormick and forward Jeanard Harbor Leo Pernia who played for Boca Juniors last year starts in the backfield with his brother Gaston Paul McDonnell of the Cincinnati Silverbacks is the other midfielder The goalie position will be the most hotly contested ex-SeaDog Juan De La CISL Finals MVP And Scott Hileman the top-ranked goalie last year when he played for the Edmonton Drillers Hileman played behind US National Team keeper Kasey Keller at the University of Portland Clavijo said he make a decision who will start the season opener until today He given an indication either way Watching Clavijo lead the two keepers through intense drills at the Deerfield Beach practice facility this week you could tell tryouts over yet Said De La want to be the No 1 goalie But the main thing is the team Said Clavijo: kind of situations build The coach worried about keeping the ball out of the net He is however fretting about just how prepared his team is Most squads played two or three preseason games against league teams The ThunderCats played none had two away games scheduled against Edmonton but there were problems with the Clavijo said Said Harbor: going to have to learn on the The team signed four local players after a series of open tryouts: Chariot Gaatinaau a forward and midfielders Chria Hannaka of Sunrise Lanny Etamo of Davie and Hugo Do Caaanova of Pompano Beach the rest of the world Around tho world FRANCE: Marseille passed Bordeaux as the French league leaders after crushing struggling Sochaux 4-0 at the Stade Velodrome With Bordeaux not in action former European Cup champions Marseille took a two-point advantage ENGLAND: World Cup star Michael Owm 18 scored four goals on his return to the Liverpool starting lineup in a 5-1 rout of Nottingham Forest in London KUWAIT: Kazma Sports Club has withdrawn from the Asian Cup Cup rather than face Talaba an Iraqi team Ja 'aaja 6199 P21560HR15 72 99 99 Pl855Hfli4 59 99 6799 P20565HR15 71 99 P19560R14 68 99 P22S60R16 P19560R15 74 99 P19565R14 P20560R15 75 99 P20565RI5 P8000 Warranty PERFORMANCE 07 99 1 1 8 99 103 99 P225 55VRl6t 131 99 11099 P22S'502fll6r 141 99 A540 40000 Mile Warranty" ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE P20565VRI5 103 99 P22555VR16 P22560VR16 12199 P22550VR16 P20555VR16 12399 P24550VR16 DieHa EL P20575R15 Super RH 40000 mile warranty Vtteatherwise 65000 Mile Warranty" PASSENGER As low as P15580R13 uy $37 99 99 5299 5399 57 99 P1SS75R14 65 99 P20570R15 7399 P20575R14 66 99 P215 70R15 7899 P17570R13 57 99 74 99 XC 14 6050000" Mile Warranty LIGHT TRUCK SPORT UTILITY 5999 72 99 76 99 P23575R15 95 99 P225I70R15 96 99 LT24575R16" 127 99 99 31x10 12099 D60A2 50000 Mile Warranty HIGH PERFORMANCE Aslowas P19570HR14 96 99 71 99 82 99 P18560HR14 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LIGHT TRUCK SPORT UTILITY 1 19 99 111 99 111 99 P21570R15 75 99 P24570R15 89 99 P22570R15 80 99 P255-70R16 107 99 P23570R15 85 99 P26S70R16 11399 i I SHOCKS Roadhandler Performance Gas Shock 21 I Roadhandler Performance LT Gas Shock Roadhandler Gas Cartridge Roadhandler Gas Strut Carryout or installation available DELRAY (MW98B) 1801 Ailtu'U Ave (561) 272-9200 4V (305)623-6891 MIAMI (MV 1 SNl Diet Hwy o) DmeHwy (USIlSSW 156th Street MIAMI (MV 1 7tt6St 'OihAw (305) 226-7415 fro'" Hot OR lot i Ut'ivetiilyW Blk So of lRmin l(rt LAMBS (MV 1 70M) iblhSI (305) 623-6891 come 826 Red fiod Ho-t Depot Plejj WORTH (MV 2989) (561) 4395800 7 DAYS A WEEK Mon-fri 7 30 am 8pm 30am-6pm Sun 9am4pm you'd AS GOOD AS GOLD AT NTB A RAIN CHECK OR PROVIDE A SUBSTITUTE AT THE SAME Ihe identical item we will meet ip II you lino a kwvai competitors installation charges clearances closeout! catalogs and miernet replare ihem with a lire ol eniinl or leaser value No oueslions asknd i I P20S70R14 48 99 P23570RTS 5999 50 99 P25570R15 62 99 P2257QR15 5899 P23560R15 6199 P195-60HR14 P19SWHR15 P20560HR15 Aper 50000 Mile Warranty LIGHT TRUCK SPORT UTILITY P22570R14 62 99 LT24575R16 Cf100 99 P25570Rl5t 7699 LT26575R16 C110399 P2557QR16 8899 31X1050R15C 91! LT23575R15C 84 99 Vizzola 40000 Mile ULTRA HIGH P205'65VRl5f Pl95-60VRl5t P225'60VRl5f Special Order GSSaa DieHard 59" with trade-in Ci RECYCLE 12 month FULL replacement 60 month limited warranty 1 24 month 1 84 month 65 1 GOLD 79" DieHard' with trade-in RECYCLE DieHard International Fits: BMWs Lexus Mercedes s99" RECYCLE FULL replacement limited warranty 18 month FULL replacement 72 month limited warranty A LIGNME NT SHOCKSUISTR Four Fire players named to Best 11 Dec 4: Detroit 8:05 Dec 6: Buffalo 6:05 Dec 11: Baltimore 8:05 Dec 20: Celveland 6:05 Jan 3: Baltimore 6:05 Jan 15: Philadelphia 8:05 Jan 17: Milwaukee 6:05 Jan 23: Harrisburg 8:05 Fab 6: Wichita 8:05 Feb 12: Edmonton 8:05 Feb 19: Cleveland 8:05 Feb 26: Montreal 8:05 Fab 28: Montreal 8:05 March 7: Milwaukee 6:05 March 12: Baltimore 8:05 March 14: Philadelphia 6:05 25: Harrisburg 7:35 April 2: Philadelphia 8:05 season poll In first: last champion Milwaukee Wave opponent Clavijo brings six players and a Coach of the Year trophy from the Seattle SeaDogs last Continental Indoor Soccer League champions ROUNDUP Columbus Crew All-Star match The first FIFA World All-Star match will be played Feb 14 at Spartan Stadium in San Jose Calif pending approval of FIFA worldwide governing body The match will be held in conjunction with the draw for the World Cup The match will pit the US national team against a squad composed of a player from each of the 15 other teams who have qualified for the World Cup and three players from A AA Lkt ILAkAklsk A is now Ihe dilterence1 II our price does noi beal Ihe compelinon advertised price on Just bring their current ad lo any NTB National Tire Battery Oiler encludes lint you are unhappy with ynnr Inn pmrhnsn hrinq them Iwrk and well i trt'Trrrrrrr SOUTH 'bbSS Comet WEST sisw MIAMI StMN On ihe LANS 4400NW OPEN Sat 1 From Herald Wire Services Polish midfielder and Major League Soccer MVP candidate Pater Nowak led a four-man contingent from the expansion Chicago Fire that was named Saturday to 1 Other Fire members named to the team were midfielder Chria Armaa Goalkeeper of the Year Zach Thornton and Defender of the Year Luboa Kubik of the Czech Republic Other honorary team members are Cobi Jonas Mauricio Citnfusgos and Robin Frassr of the Los Angeles Galaxy Marco Etchavarry and Eddia Pop of DC United and Btam John and Thomas Doolsy of the PERSONAL CHECKS ACCEPTED We're everything you want nothing like HAVE A WARRANTY FROM NTW OR TIRE AMERICA? NO PROBLEM IT'S SOME ITEMS AND SIZES BY SPECIAL ORDER IF WE ARE OUT-OF-STOCK ON AN ADVFRTISED ITEM WE WILL ORDER YOUR SIZE GIVE YOU PERCENTAGE DISCOUNT OR IF THE ADVERTISED ITEM IS NOT REDUCED AT THE ADVERTISED PRICE Lmiled warranty lor monthsmiles specified See store for detaits Tires Limited lieadwear warranty Shocks tilelima Replacement' refers to as long as you on your vehicle Stale ot local taxes or surcharges lor environmental protection will he an extra cnaige (it applicable! Shop lees may be erica Purchases may be limited ke nmmsl el All AiiAnlilura AAMjw II MI A lutl Ik 11 Ik Ai I II viil i normal lo retail quantities ttWe II meal bail Ihe competilion 01 double 7 1 purchase well double the diHaience1 '30 Day Ride Guaranies II within 30 days ot 1 OOP miles whichever comes MICMBLIN RflHT COOOitAm Beoaodriaer OUJVIO I 8 ALS AAA AL A fA -a a.