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CHULA VISTA -- Perhaps Jerome Watson should schedule three-week sabbaticals more often, particularly if they happen to fall in the middle of the soccer season.
Watson, a forward who had missed the team's last three A-League games while attending the World Cup in France, returned to the lineup last night to spark the San Diego Flash to a 2-0 victory over the Staten Island Vipers at Southwestern College's Devore Stadium.
Before 1,877, Watson, a La Jolla High alum, scored the quickest goal of the season for the Flash when he headed in a corner kick by Kevin Legg in the game's third minute. It was the first goal of the season for Watson, who, at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, presented a sizable task for the Staten Island defense.
Watson also added an assist on a goal by Legg in the 81st minute.
"This was the first time I've ever left the team for any extended period," Watson said. "I had a non-refundable ticket, so it was kind of hard to work around it. We were playing pretty well. We'd won three straight games, so I knew they'd do well without me.
"I have to get back into a little better game shape, but it was nice to get a quick goal like that and settle down a little bit."
The victory was the sixth straight at home for the Flash (9-5, 27 points), which moved back into second place in the Pacific Division while avenging a 2-1 loss to Staten Island two weeks ago.
It was also the first victory for new Flash coach Costa Skouras, who took control of the team last week upon the resignation of Ralf Wilhelms.
Skouras, whose introduction of a 3-5-2 offensive system is intended to get more attackers on the field, was more than a little pleased to have Watson back in the lineup.
"Jerome has probably been the unluckiest player in the whole A-League," Skouras said. "He's hit the goalpost a number of times and goalkeepers have made good saves on him. Finally, he got (a goal) tonight. I'm sure there's going to be a lot more to come from Jerome. He's a good player."
The Flash, which has won six of its last seven, beat the Vipers (7-7) despite the absence of midfielder/forward Antonio Robles and defender Carlos Cruz, both of whom were serving suspensions for red cards received in the team's first meeting with Staten Island. Robles leads the Flash in both goals (five) and points (12); Cruz, the team captain, had started 12 games and scored the team's only two penalty kicks of the season.
But last night it was the Flash that enjoyed a decided advantage when Staten Island's Kevin Daly and Danny Miller were both hit with red cards in the 13th minute of the second half. The red cards played a significant factor in the sixth straight home shutout for the Flash and the eighth shutout of the season for goalkeeper Joe Cannon, who had five saves.
"Playing without Carlos and Antonio was obviously a handicap, but the rest of the guys showed that they're fighting for starting spots," Skouras said. "It's good, healthy competition."
The Flash returns to Southwestern College on Friday at 7:30 p.m. to host the California Jaguars.
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