Drago Dumbovic figured he had something coming after scoring five goals and adding two assists in three Sting victories last week. Dumbovic thought that he might even be selected the offensive player of the week in the Major Indoor Soccer League.
Dumbovic will have to wait until Monday afternoon to see if he gained that honor, but an even greater accolade was bestowed upon him Sunday night.
Dumbovic will replace Baltimore Blast forward Stan Stamenkovic on the Eastern Division squad for Tuesday night`s MISL All-Star game at the Stadium.
Although Dumbovic was the next forward in total votes and was selected by East coach Kenny Cooper of the Blast, it has not been determined if he will replace Stamenkovic in the starting lineup or if someone already on the East reserve squad will become a starter and be replaced on the bench by Dumbovic. Stamenkovic, who was voted the MVP in the last three MISL All-Star games, aggravated a chronic injury to his right knee in the Blast`s 6-4 loss Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh.
Getting the news that he was replacing his fellow Yugoslavian was a bittersweet experience for Dumbovic.
”What a great feeling, to be playing with the best players in the world,” said Dumbovic of his first All-Star appearance. ”But, on the other hand, I am sad that Stan cannot play. He is one of the greatest indoor players. He should be in this game. I wish all the fans would have had a chance to see him play.”
But the fans should find Dumbovic a pretty sight. He has scored 11 goals in seven games since Minnesota sold him to the Sting for $20,000 on Jan. 30. For the season, Dumbovic has 27 goals and 8 assists.
”Drago has been the difference for us after we lost Pato Margetic,”
said Sting coach Willy Roy, who will assist Cooper in Tuesday`s game. ”He has so much quickness in front of the goal. He`s quite dangerous.
”It was an unfortunate thing about Stan, but I think Drago will give a good account of himself. I think it`s great that he`ll be with us.”
The selection of Dumbovic gives the Sting four players on the All-Star squad. He joins midfielder Gerry Gray, forward Karl-Heinz Granitza and defender Neill Roberts.
”I`m going to go out and have some fun,” Dumbovic said. ”The way I`ve been playing lately helped me to become an All-Star. I`ll play the same way. Why change what got me here?”
The West squad also made a change Sunday, naming defender Sam Bick of the St. Louis Steamers to replace Los Angeles Lazers` defender Beto, who was injured Friday against Tacoma. East forward Peter Ward of Cleveland will play despite a pulled groin muscle.
