WORLD CUP AFTERSHOCKS HAVE DISSIPATED FOR SOCCER IN THE U.S.

     Soccer in the U.S. "is suffering a post-World Cup letdown"
as the lack of a major league or national coach is cultivating
"skepticism," according to Jere Longman in this morning's N.Y.
TIMES.  However, Longman writes that U.S. soccer officials
"remain enthusiastic about the future" and point to increased
participation, development fund and TV contract from last
summer's World Cup.  MLS officials say that $50M in financing "is
in place" for the league's inaugural season starting next April.
USSF Secretary general Hank Steinbrecher, on MLS:  "If you're
looking at 10,000 people on average to get the product on the
shelf, and increasing the market share every year, then the
league can be successful" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/2).  MLS announces their
ninth and tenth investors and cities on Tuesday (MLS).