Consider Colombia, admittedly the worst-case scenario. This is the nation where defender Andres Escobar was killed within days of giving up a decisive own goal against the United States in 1994. Where a referee was killed by a mob a few years earlier, and where 20 fans died in 1994 during celebration of a 5-0 victory against Argentina. The threat of violence continues to hang heavy over the head of Colombian coach and players alike. Soccer is growing in the United States.
More people play and understand the game than ever before.
Better that we stay in our soccer infancy. Or our naivete. Our status as a world power does not rise or fall with the national soccer team. Steve Sampson indeed is a lucky man. Even if his team doesn't win a game at France '98.