June 4, 2003
London Free Press: City Seek a Second Finisher
City seeks a second finisher
Kathy Rumleski, Free Press Sports Reporter
If you approach a soccer net and it looks like it's kilometres wide and you have no trouble getting the ball in the net, then Harry Gauss wants to talk to you. The manager of London City of the Canadian Professional Soccer League says you don't even have to be a great soccer player; you just have to be able to bag one consistently.
"I do want an outright striker,"says Gauss, who is seeking such a player after watching his team fall 3-2 to the Durham Flames in last Friday's CPSL matchup.
City created more chances and outplayed Durham in London's first game of the season but couldn't turn its opportunities into goals.
"I'm looking for a second finisher," Gauss says.
Joining the team this season is striker Isa Bulku, who also plays with the Exeter Centennials of the Western Ontario Soccer League's Premier Division.
Bulku scored one of City's goals against the Flames on a penalty kick, and generated the most chances for London throughout the game.
Gauss says he told Bulku not to think so much when he is approaching the net.
"You're thinking and strikers don't think," he says he told Bulku.
"You're taking too much time."
London is without striker Janko Stukic. After word came before the season started that anyone playing in the CPSL could jeopardize their amateur status and NCAA eligibility, Stukic decided to step aside.
He accepted a scholarship to Fordham University in New York recently and didn't want to risk not being able to play there.
Gauss says he encouraged Stukic not to play for City, even though he would have helped the team. "The kids don't deserve that."
So he's looking for a replacement for Stukic. He's looking locally and doesn't expect the striker to come from another CPSL team.
"He could be anywhere," Gauss says of the man who will eventually get the job.
London will play the Mississauga Olympians tonight at Cove Road field.
The Olympians finished second in the Western Conference last year, two points behind Toronto Croatia. The Olympians know how to score, netting 50 goals last season, the most in the West.
Mississauga has the league's leading goal scorer in Darren Tilley, who popped in 20 last year.
Gauss said he doesn't mind the Olympians coming to Cove Road field this early in the season.
"The Olympians will be a great test coming off a disappointing loss."
Last year London and Mississauga tied 1-1 and 2-2 in league play. Tonight will be Mississauga's first game of the season. Unable to reach a deal with Mississauga, the Olympians are playing all their 2003 games on the road.
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