Farber injured in loss

BALTIMORE — Sandpoint's Brian Farber re-injured the same ankle that sidelined last season as the California Cougars lost 8-6 to the Baltimore Blast on Saturday night.

"We were on a power play and I stepped on someone's foot," said Farber, who just recently began rounding into the form that landed him a MLS contract with the Houston Dynamo. "I heard the pop over 7000 fans."

Farber doesn't believe this injury is as serious as the previous sprain, and hopes to be playing this Sunday, when his mom is heading down to Stockton, Calif., to watch the Cougars play the Milwaukee Wave.

Prior to rolling his ankle in the third quarter, Farber was shutting down the Blasts' best offensive player. Farber is part of the four-man 'no goal patrol,' a penalty killing unit which shut down six Blast power play opportunities. The Cougars had no power plays.

"Coach gave me a mission tonight to shut down their best forward," said Farber after the game.

The Cougars are mired in a minor slump, but remain only two games out of the final playoff spot in the four-team MISL playoffs. Last season, the Cougars found their stride and won eight of their final 11 games in a league where you expect the unexpected.

"This league is funny, the champs from last year (Blast) are tied with us," said Farber of the MISL. "It's a small league and people know each other's strengths. Most games are won by a goal."

The Cougars host the Chicago Storm on Wednesday.