Hugo Perez

Bob Bell, Socker co-managing general partner, said Thursday that he plans to suspend midfielder Hugo Perez for the 1987-88 season because Perez tried out for Ajax Amsterdam in July without telling the Sockers and then supposedly signed an agreement to join the renowned Dutch club after his contract with San Diego expires June 30, 1988.

Hugo Perez made his debut with the Salsa Saturday night and the veteran midfielder from the U.S. national team quickly made his presence felt in the American Professional Soccer League. Perez, who played for the United States in this summer's World Cup, scored a goal in the first half and his combative, free-wheeling play helped the Salsa turn back the Vancouver 86ers, 2-1, at Titan Stadium. The victory assured the Salsa a spot in the four-team APSL playoffs, which begin Sept. 30.

When the Sockers acquired midfielder Hugo Perez from Tampa Bay in 1983, they were either getting a prize or a problem. Perez could be a dynamic and charismatic player with phenomenal talent or . . . an individualistic and selfish player with phenomenal talent. Was he confident or arrogant? Was he immature? Or was he just young and misunderstood?

The Salsa, battling for first place in the APSL, Friday announced the signing of midfielder Hugo Perez, a member of the U.S. World Cup team. Perez, 30, played in the U.S. team's 2-0 loss to England on Wednesday in London. Perez will be on loan from the U.S. Soccer Federation through Oct. 15, the date of the APSL championship game. The Salsa plays host to Seattle at 6 p.m. Sunday at Cal State Fullerton.

This year's Major Indoor Soccer League playoffs have a finality about them for Hugo Perez. The midfielder says he's playing his last games as a Socker and, most probably, an indoor player. "It's pretty tough (playing now)," Perez said. "But I've been here almost five years, and I'm still getting paid. I have to perform. To do the best I can." To score two goals and assist on another in a 6-2 victory over Tacoma in the opening Western Division semifinal playoff game Thursday night.

Hugo Perez, the star midfielder of the U.S. national soccer team, will miss Sunday's World Cup qualifying match against Guatemala because of a severe groin strain.

The U.S. soccer team lost to Morocco at Casablanca, 3-1, the Americans' fourth consecutive defeat. Hugo Perez scored 13 minutes into the second half on a 23-yard free kick around the defensive wall, ending a 436-minute scoreless streak for the United States (1-5-1).

It is too bad that the U.S. ended up with an inexperienced coach in the World Cup. Our most experienced players that got us there are not on the team. Players like Ricky Davis, Chico Borja and Hugo Perez. I'm glad Paul Caligiuri challenged Bob Gansler when he was told to leave the team with no good reason, otherwise we might never have scored a goal. GUS BOHORQUEZ San Diego

U.S. midfield soccer star Hugo Perez said today he may miss this summer's World Cup finals in Italy after breaking a leg in a match on Saturday. Perez, who plays for French second division side Red Star of Paris, broke a fibula after coming on as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 victory at Gueugnon. The El Salvador-born player, a naturalized U.S. citizen, said he would be in plaster for three to six weeks but still has hopes of being fit in time for the finals.

The Salsa, battling for first place in the APSL, Friday announced the signing of midfielder Hugo Perez, a member of the U.S. World Cup team. Perez, 30, played in the U.S. team's 2-0 loss to England on Wednesday in London. Perez will be on loan from the U.S. Soccer Federation through Oct. 15, the date of the APSL championship game. The Salsa plays host to Seattle at 6 p.m. Sunday at Cal State Fullerton.

After all these years, Hugo Perez has come to know something about El Salvador. He has learned that even though he has left his native country, it has not left him. The same with his adopted nation, the United States. Even as he repeatedly left, he could not stay away. When the U.S. national soccer team played the national team of El Salvador this month, it symbolized for Perez a collision of his past and present. It gave Perez, 30, an opportunity to reflect on his career as a soccer vagabond.

The U.S. national soccer team has an obvious problem: It has trouble scoring goals. The team has played 30 games and scored 29 goals, a rate that will not hold it in good stead against the soccer powers at next summer's World Cup. Two recent changes have helped the team. One is the addition of Thomas Dooley to the full-time player pool.

A key piece of the puzzle is in place for the U.S. national soccer team, as it begins play today in the Kirin Cup tournament at Nagoya, Japan. The addition is midfielder Hugo Perez, and his return does not complete the picture for the United States. But his creative play does help fill in at least one blank. Perez will start today against Hungary in his first appearance with the team in nearly five months.

The U.S. soccer team lost to Morocco at Casablanca, 3-1, the Americans' fourth consecutive defeat. Hugo Perez scored 13 minutes into the second half on a 23-yard free kick around the defensive wall, ending a 436-minute scoreless streak for the United States (1-5-1).

Socker Coach Ron Newman is hoping that Hugo Perez will join U.S. national teammate Brian Quinn in entertaining an offer from his old indoor club. Newman said he contacted Perez's agent, Michael Hogue, earlier this week. Perez played five years for the Sockers beginning in 1983. After establishing himself as a top goal-scorer, he left following the 1987-88 season upset with the falling salary cap and determined to ply his skills outdoors in Europe.

It is too bad that the U.S. ended up with an inexperienced coach in the World Cup. Our most experienced players that got us there are not on the team. Players like Ricky Davis, Chico Borja and Hugo Perez. I'm glad Paul Caligiuri challenged Bob Gansler when he was told to leave the team with no good reason, otherwise we might never have scored a goal. GUS BOHORQUEZ San Diego

Midfielder Hugo Perez probably will not be named to the 22-man roster that will play for the U.S. national soccer team at the World Cup, which begins one month from today in Italy, U.S. Coach Bob Gansler said. Perez recently resumed training after breaking a bone in his right leg in March while playing for a team in France's second division. "It is possible, but not likely," Gansler said when asked about Perez's prospects for joining the team in Italy.

Midfielder Hugo Perez may miss the United States' next two World Cup qualifying games, including one Sunday against Guatemala at Guatemala City, because of a severe groin strain. Perez suffered the injury Friday night while playing for Red Star of Paris in the French second division. U.S. Soccer Federation officials are waiting for a medical report from Paris, but Perez was quoted by the French Press Agency Saturday as saying that that he believes he will be out for at least six weeks.

Midfielder Hugo Perez probably will not be named to the 22-man roster that will play for the U.S. national soccer team at the World Cup, which begins one month from today in Italy, U.S. Coach Bob Gansler said. Perez recently resumed training after breaking a bone in his right leg in March while playing for a team in France's second division. "It is possible, but not likely," Gansler said when asked about Perez's prospects for joining the team in Italy.

Hugo Perez, who suffered a broken bone above his right ankle in a soccer match Saturday, is optimistic that he will be able to play for the United States in the World Cup finals in June. Perez, who has been injury-prone in the past, is regarded as one of the most talented players on the U.S. team. He was injured while playing for Red Star of Paris, a French second division team, in a match at Gueugnon, France.