From: andy@rocky.gte.com (Andrew Busa)
Subject: US Soccer Thought
Organization: GTE Contel Federal Systems
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1992 15:44:46 GMT

Well, all you people know that the US team is my pride and joy.  I have been
amazed at how far they have come in the last two years.  It has all started at
the top with Alan Rothenburg, the president of US Soccer.  Alan by his own
admission is not a soccer man.  But he is a brilliant businessman.  And such
has decided to surround himself with strong soccer minds.  Bora's interest in
coaching the US made it a very easy decision for Alan to make.  I have to
admit that I don't always agree with Bora's stlye of offense but I realize
how tough it must be for him to form an offensive game plan when the US player
weakest part of their game is their offensive skill.  I give Bora credit for
realizing this and going out and convincing both Roy Wegerle and Tomas Dooley
that that it would be a good opportunity for them to come and play with the US.

I can't seem to shake this feeling that everybody from FIFA on down to 
Rothenburg, to Bora, to Roy are using the WC to better their own lives.  I have
no problem with this but I am starting to get very afraid what will happen
after 1994.  Alan proimised a pro league would be in place.  There hasn't even
been a mumbling about this.  I think that Alan has political aspirations. If
he did a good job on the WC then it would be a great boost to his career.  But
all of us know that it is not the WC itself that should be the greatest benefit
it is the legecy of soccer that is left.  I have this bad feeling that Alan
will leave the Federation in 1994 to pursue other activities.  I also think
that he will leave on a high, the WC will be succusseful.  But, and God I hope
I am blowing this out of proportion, I don't think that a league will be in
place.

After watching our Olympic team play, I am amazed at the skill and the 
athleticism with which they play with but I also temper that judgement with
realizing that there is still a ton that we could improve on.  I agree with
Lothar Osiander, coach of the olympic team, when he says that this will be the
best that we can get without a pro league.

What is the future of soccer here in America?  I feel that Alan has done a
magnificent job with the national team programs.  From our World Champion
women, to the strong youth sides, to our National Team which can now draw
an average of 30,000 when they play around the country.  I would also feel
that Alan would make the perfect commisioner of a new league but again I
don't think that he will be around.  I am also afraid that Bora will leave
after the WC.  I wish Bora would stay and become the head of all player 
development in the US.  With him running the players development and Alan
running the new league, I feel that our future would be in good hands. If
neither return, I fear for the health of even the National programs.

Oh well, I guess I had better enjoy the WC and stop worrying so much.  The
better the WC is the better the chance of soccer growing in the country.  If
ABC and ESPN make out finacially on the WC, we would be very lucky indeed.
If not, we are dead.  Not only would another national station not touch us
with a thousand foot pole but our contract with SC will also be up.  Best
case scenario that I can see would be that WC does "better than expected"
ratings wise and ESPN decides to pick up where SCA left off and ABC would
be willing to show one game a week fron the New League starting in 1995.
A pipe dream? Yeh, I guess but it could happen.


Andy