A reason for cheering When the Canadian National Soccer Team takes the field against New Zealand Monday evening at Empire Stadium, there will be one player for Canada who will have, perhaps, a bit more at stake in striving for a big performance. Last winter, before the NASL campaign got under way, Bruce Miller of the Seattle Sounders was playing with the North Shore Pegasus of the Pacific North West league. A Vancouver native, Bruce had been with the Sounders for a couple of years and was aware that 1980 would be his big year with the Seattle based entry. He worked hard, stayed in shape, and was a big part of the local Pegasus squad along with L.A. Aztec John McGrane, Mike Sweeney of the Edmonton Drillers, and a couple of other NASL players. And when he went to the Sounders camp in March, he was looking good. So good it appeared he would be running out of a regular spot up front -beside Roger Davies. But things don’t always go the way one expects. In a game against the hapless San Jose Earthquakes, sounder coach Alan Hinton was exhorting his troops to put a little more pressure on the San Jose goalkeeper. IT’S EASY! crete driveway *No cracking or flaking “Removable anytime Please call us for _ required .-s-e.When you're thinking of paving stones..... Pick the Leader Sanderson’s Unipave are THE BEST because: * Anybody can do it and get professional results. *They last 3 times longer than the average con- *Outlasts concrete and asphalt *Never needs resurfacing a FREE ESTIMATE with no obligation — SANDERSON CONCRETE PRODUCTS LTD. 310 Harbour Ave. N.V. 985-6108 Miller, attempting to follow instructions went in against the keeper on a high cross, but when the keeper hit the ground, Miller lost his balance and came down on the goalie’s upraised knee. A floating rib broke, scraped into the diaphragm, and punctured a lung. But as in the case of many young athletes, Bruce was used to pain and finished the game, knowing something was wrong, but not able to recognise the severity of the injury. It wasn’t until the next morning when the talented striker couldn't stop throwing up that he realized he had a serious problem. Needless to say the injury considerable treatment and a long con- valescence with many saying that Miller would be through for the year. However, Bruce didn’t want to be left on the sidelines. With hard work, he came back and managed to find some field time later in the season and _ the playoffs, but not before a young American by the name of Mark Peterson had managed to take Miller's place and score 14 goals as well as come close to the Rookie of the Year. In one sense, it has not been a good year for the SFU grad, but Bruce still managed to impress the Officials for the Canadian entry into the World Cup tournament that he has something to offer and he will be trying to overcome the problems of the regular season. If for nothing else, Bruce deserves to make it on toughness, desire and drive. He has come from the depths right back to the elite of his country’s soccer program. If everyone on that team shows the same toughness and spirit and an inability to know when to quit, then Canada should fare well in these prelimimary rounds. And we will all have a reason to cheer. Incidentally, for those who think that New Zealand is not a strong soccer power in this Labatt World Cup Series, take note _ that Mexican officials were shocked following their teams 4-0 defeat at the hands of the New Zealand squad recently. And remember that Mexico made it from this zone all the way to the World Cup final round in Argentinain 1978. The Canadian build up for the Worid Cup will involve a pair of games against New Zealand, two against the irish and three against Sporting Cristal of Peru including one at Empire on October 4. Soccer fans who enjoy the game will be having a chance over the next while to see the best team Canada has ever fielded for soccer com- petitions. It should be quite a show. B3 -Suaday News, September 14, 1980 WINTER INDOOR TENNIS WEST VANCOUVER TENNIS CLUB Tired of waiting lists.g high costs. block bookings. restricted playing times JOIN NOW underour3courtbub4 bile inidealcond:- @iiors Game p.m 4 SOT 2 hourl Daw king ~