THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 27, 1996 TAG: 9607270392
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 38 lines
The Birmingham Grasshoppers ended their fledgling Select League season with a pair of forfeits to Hampton Roads and Richmond.
The Grasshoppers were originally slated to compete at the Select level in the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues this season, then dropped to Premier, or amateur, status mere weeks before the season started, reportedly due to insufficient funding for maintaining Select standards. Due to the lateness of the Grasshoppers' decision, the USISL allowed the already approved schedule to stand and games against Birmingham counted in the league standings.
Mariners' co-owner Page Johnson said he was notified late Thursday afternoon that several Grasshopper players had upper respiratory infections and the team could only bring seven players to Virginia Beach. FIFA rules allow a team to compete with seven players on the field.
After consultation with Kickers' co-owners Cookie Ketcham and Bobby Lennon, Johnson decided that the Mariners and Kickers would take a forfeit from the Grasshoppers and would play each other Friday and Saturday nights.
``We made the decision (Thursday night),'' Johnson said. ``Birmingham would not even have been able to substitute. This was a better alternative for the spectators.''
Birmingham, which closed its season at 4-10, may have to pay an undisclosed forfeit fee to the USISL and compensation to the Mariners and the Kickers. Birmingham officials were unavailable for comment, so it is unclear if the fees exceed the cost of traveling to Virginia Beach and Richmond.
Co-owner Mark Garcea said Hampton Roads was intent on scheduling a game Friday for the fans, so the Richmond deal evolved. Ryan Leib scored two goals take the Mariners (15-4, 10-4) past Richmond 4-1 in the replacement exhibition game. A crowd of 2,282 turned out for the game.
The Mariners play a second exhibition in Richmond tonight. By scheduling the exhibitions, both teams avoided last-minute cancellations and refunds. by CNB