Talks yesterday between the U.S. women's soccer team
and the USSF "failed to produce an agreement between" the
two sides, according to USA TODAY's Peter Brewington. But
USSF officials are "optimistic" an agreement will be reached
before the scheduled February 6 match against Norway in Ft.
Lauderdale (USA TODAY, 1/28). In Miami, Michelle Kaufman
writes that Eddie Rodger, a local promoter for next month's
U.S.-Norway game, said that attendance "could drop" from
about 15,000 to "half that if the marquee players don't show
up" (MIAMI HERALD, 1/28). Meanwhile, in San Jose, Jody
Meacham reported "a majority of" U.S. women's soccer team
replacement players are "boycotting" events until a contract
is signed. Team member Danielle Slaton: "We just decided
not to attend any more camps until a contract has been
arranged" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 1/27).
SPECIAL GAME: BLOOMBERG's Monique Wise reported that
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (DLJ) spent about $50,000 for
its clients to play a soccer match against the U.S. women's
soccer team at Pebble Beach last November. Brandi Chastain:
"For a group that seemed to be exceedingly successful and
driven, they were very friendly and responsive to trying
something new. From the moment we stepped on the field,
they made us [feel] very comfortable" (BLOOMBERG, 1/26).
