The timing could not be better. The San Diego Sockers might just have the right opportunity to forget about its last two Premiere Arena Soccer League-Pro matches.

San Diego can put behind back-to-back loses at Cincinnati and at California. Those defeats could become memories with a win against Cincinnati. The Sockers host the Kings on Saturday night at the Del Mar Arena in what could be a sexy rematch of the teams' Dec. 18 clash.

The Kings beat San Diego 5-4. It was a deflating outcome for the Sockers. who went on to lose 9-8 to the Cougars nine days later to conclude a lengthy four-game road trip.

A 7-5 win against the San Diego Fusion's reserve team last week in a U.S. Cup match was some consolation for San Diego but the team perhaps won't be satisfied until it can get back on track in PASL-Pro play.

This time the Sockers host a Cincinnati team that will be without its head coach, Craig Rhodis.

The PASL-Pro announced that Rhodis will have to serve a one-game suspension for roster violations in his team's previous match against San Diego.

Two members of the Kings' front office realized the Kings had used 15 players in the game instead of the league-allowed 13. The additional players suited up, went through team warm ups and remained on the bench through the game. They were not on the team's line-up card.

The two players, George Davis and Kurt Fischer, played a few minutes but did not have any scoring statistics.

Rhodis said the problem resulted from a miscommunication between him and his assistants.

"I would not do anything deceitful to circumvent the rules," said Rhodis in a league statement.

"Tonight was an honest mistake. I was dealing with an injured player in one instance and coaching another player in the other instance, so I did not catch it. The reality is that the rules are the rules.

I know them. So it is my fault.

As soon as we found out we reported it."

The league now plans to amend its rules regarding non-playing personnel. Future violations could result in severe punishment.

"We believe Craig Rhodis did not knowingly violate the league rules," said PASL-Pro Commissioner Kevin Milliken, "but at the same time it marred what was one of the best games of the year between two first-place teams and that is something that the league cannot tolerate."

What the Sockers can't tolerate is another defeat. They are undefeated at home this season (3-0 PASL-Pro) and typically play their best brand of soccer in front of a home crowd.

It is also a key game as San Diego prepares to face teams within its division. The Sockers are slated to face the Tijuana Revolución in back-to-back home and away matches.

Tijuana sits in second place behind San Diego in the Western Division standings. The timing for a win and the chance to take control of the division could not have come at a better time.

Ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com