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Leagues and Governing Bodies

SOCCER PLAYERS LEAVING SCHOOL EARLY THROUGH MLS/USSF PROJECT

          With MLS and the USSF "determined to develop enough"
     U.S. players to stock the 12 MLS teams, the number of
     players who are "interrupting their education" to go pro
     under Project 40 (P-40) has reached 19, and "could reach as
     many as" 30 before the season starts in two months,
     according to Alex Yannis of the N.Y. TIMES.  MLS and USSF
     execs say that the initiative gives players who want to
     become pros the "option of staying home and finishing their
     education later rather than going overseas."  P-40 players
     who will not become regulars on their MLS teams are put in
     the A-League, the USSF's second division, and play every
     week while still training with their MLS clubs.  Clive
     Charles, Univ. of Portland and U.S. Olympic Coach: "No
     college coach wants to get in the way in the career of one
     of their better players" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/27).
          SOME WARNING SIGNS? In Baltimore, Lowell Sunderland
     writes that the increased signings are "raising concerns
     among college coaches, as well as fans."  Under P-40,
     players who "give up their college eligibility, are paid
     $24,000, MLS' minimum salary, get a Nike endorsement
     contract worth a reported $7,000, and as much as $37,500 for
     continuing their undergraduate college education within 10
     years."  MD Soccer coach Sasho Cirovski: "I have very mixed
     feelings.  We're all grateful that MLS is here, but I would
     like to see better communication with the league about their
     intentions."  MLS Deputy Commissioner Sunil Gulati said that
     all 19 players who have forgone college eligibility "have
     initiated contact with the league, either themselves or
     through coaches or parents" (Baltimore SUN, 1/27).

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