Flash refuses to take it easy, to Jags' dismay


By Brad Falduto, special to the Union-Tribune

CHULA VISTA -- It would have been understandable if the Flash did little more than show up for its A-League soccer match last night against the California Jaguars.

The Flash having locked up home-field advantage for the Western Conference playoffs earlier in the week, the match with lowly California was meaningless.

But in hopes of clicking on all cylinders when the playoffs begin next Saturday, the Flash kept itself tuned up with a dominating 4-0 victory before 4,383 at Southwestern College's Devore Stadium.

"I had a lot of concern about us coming out flat," said Flash coach Costa Skouras. "But we discussed that.

"We want to prepare for the playoffs."

And keep winning. The victory was the 12th straight and 16th in the last 18 games for the Flash.

"It was just another game we wanted to win," said Daniel Sinohui, who led the Flash with two goals. "We've got that feeling that were expecting to play well. We've been playing that way."

Of course, when the playoffs open, the Flash (21-6) will be 0-0, as will every other team.

"All of what we have done in the past means nothing," Sinohui said. "We start from zero in the playoffs. We have to be hungry and go after what we want, and that's the A-League title."

Naturally, another goal for the Flash last night was to make it through the game without any injuries. Midfielder Kevin Legg, who is tied for fourth on the team in scoring, has missed three of the last four games and was in street clothes last night. The Flash don't want anyone else to join him on the injured list before the playoffs.

The Flash wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. In the ninth minute, Antonio Robles booted a shot right into California goalkeeper Gregorio Guzman. The ball bounced off Guzman and former Mission Bay High star Sinohui kicked it in the net.

Sinohui also scored the second goal, in the 28th minute, effectively ending any doubt about whether the Flash would beat the Jaguars (6-22). Brad Smith added goal No. 3 in the 56th minute. Two minutes later, Smith collided with Guzman. Both players lay on the ground for a few minutes, writhing in pain. Smith was able to stay in the game; Guzman was not.

Jimmy Conrad closed the scoring, in the 83rd minute.

Notes

The Flash must wait until Monday night before it knows the identity of its first-round playoff opponent. In the running for the eighth seed in the conference are New Orleans, Orange County and Vancouver. The Flash closes the regular season at Orange County on Monday . . . The first round of the playoffs is just one game. The second round is two games with tiebreaking criteria. The third round is a best-of-three series and the championship is one game.

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