Review continue on MLS' inaugural season. In Boston, Frank
Dell'Apa: "While MLS officials should be satisfied with the
season, they should not continue to underestimate the fans'
dedication and sophistication. MLS fans demonstrated that they
are interested in quality more than gimmicks [postmatch shootouts
and best-of-three playoff series], and they proved it by arriving
despite Sunday's storm" (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/22). In Dallas, Steve
Davis: "You might say that on its first date with the American
sporting public, MLS got to hold hands" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS,
10/20). MLS Chair Alan Rothenberg: "No time to declare victory
in the first year. We have some quality players and it's been
entertaining, but our obligation is to continue to improve our
product" (Alex Yannis, N.Y. TIMES, 10/22). MLS ran a four page
ad in USA TODAY congratulating MLS Cup champions DC United,
honoring MLS 1996 Award Winners and featuring a full-page "Thank
You" letter from MLS Commissioner Doug Logan (USA TODAY, 10/22).
AT HOME: MLS named Paul Phipps as Marketing Exec of the
Year. He was Exec VP for the Dallas Burn and joined the league
office as VP/Marketing & Broadcasting. Jim Moorhouse of the KC
Wiz was named MLS Public Relations Exec of the Year (MLS). Tampa
Bay Mutiny GM Farrukh Quaraishi has been dismissed by the league,
apparently as a result of the club's attendance problems and the
arrest of the club's Dir of Finance Mark Fortunat, who allegedly
embezzled money from the team (Bill Ward, TAMPA TRIBUNE, 10/20).
