SAN DIEGO YEAR IN REVIEW : THE TOP 10 SPORTS STORIES : 6 : GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE, . . . SOLD

Indoor soccer gasped for air in 1991 and life signs were no more dismal than they were right here.

Average Sockers attendance slipped to an all-time low of 7,192 during the 1990-91 season, and owner Ron Fowler made no secret that he didn’t want to continue absorbing six-figure losses amid such apathy.

Playoff attendance was cause for further concern. Only 7,785 and 6,996 showed up at the Sports Arena for the first two games of the Major Soccer League championship series against Cleveland.

The Sockers split those two games, then won two of three when the series switched to Ohio. They led, 3-2, going into Game 6 at home.

“If we don’t sell out for this game,” said player Waad Hirmez, “that will be a sign that we are not appreciated. They will be letting us know we are not wanted.”

Suddenly the attendance, 12,072, almost 1,000 shy of a sellout, overshadowed the final result, an 8-6 Sockers’ victory and a ninth championship in 10 years.

Twelve days later, Fowler announced that the ninth banner probably never would be unfurled in the Sports Arena. He planned to cease operations June 30 if no one stepped forward to buy the club, a grim scenario considering he had tried in vain for six months to find a buyer.

What no one counted on was Coach Ron Newman’s “Save Our Sockers” campaign that netted more than 3,900 season-ticket deposits, which in turn drew the interest of four potential ownership groups. One group gained league approval June 29.

The Oscar Ancira triumvirate not only saved the Sockers, but put in motion a plan that resulted in an average attendance of 10,800 during the current season’s first five games at the Sports Arena, including an opening night crowd of 11,113 who watched as the ninth banner was hung.