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CHULA VISTA -- The San Diego Flash clinched a spot in the A-League playoffs last night. But the team has much bigger plans.
Getting two goals from Carlos Farias, the Flash defeated the visiting New Orleans Storm 3-0 in front of 1,467 at Southwestern College's Devore Stadium.
The victory, coupled with a loss last night by San Francisco, assured the Flash (15-6) a spot in next month's playoffs. With seven regular-season games remaining, though, the Flash is concerned with securing the top seed in the Western Conference.
"It's a game-by-game situation," said Flash coach Costa Skouras, who took over eight games ago when head coach Ralf Wilhelms left the team. "Yes, we want to win the Pacific Division and the Western Conference.
"I'm very proud of our players and our coaching staff. Everyone is doing their job."
A few weeks ago, getting that top seed appeared to be a pipe dream for the Flash. Then it got red hot. Last night's victory over New Orleans (12-10) was the seventh in the last eight matches for the Pacific Division-leading Flash. The victory also moved it two points ahead of Central Division leader Nashville for the top spot in the Western Conference.
Farias said it isn't difficult pinpointing the Flash's turnaround.
"Because of the coaching change, the players had a meeting and said we have to start winning," Farias said. "We want to show San Diego we can win. We want to win it all."
Because of some offsides problems, it took the Flash until the 58th minute to get on the scoreboard. Late in the first half and early in the second, the Flash had goals disallowed because of offsides.
The first goal that counted came on a play started by Flash goalkeeper Joe Cannon. He came out of the net to grab a weak shot and immediately kicked the ball three-quarters of the way down the field to Farias, who was streaking down the right sideline. After a nifty move, Farias moved in front of the goal box and booted the ball into the net.
Three minutes later Farias struck again, this time scoring unassisted. The Flash got its third goal in the 74th minute when Antonio Robles scored on a penalty kick.
Cannon made four saves in getting his ninth shutout of the season.
It should be noted that the Flash did have a man advantage for most of the game. New Orleans' John Avery drew a red card (game disqualification) in the 40th minute.
The Flash returns to action tomorrow when it plays host to San Francisco at 4 p.m. at Devore Stadium.
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