U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati said that the result of the November presidential election "could hurt the chances of the U.S. hosting a future World Cup," according to Jeff Carlisle of ESPN FC. Gulati, speaking to reporters prior to last night's Costa Rica-U.S. Copa America Centenario match in Chicago, said, "The world's perception of the U.S. is affected by who is in the White House, yes, so it has some bearing." Gulati suggested that winning the bid "would be more difficult" if Donald Trump were to win the election over Hillary Clinton, especially if the U.S. "were to cohost a World Cup with southern neighbors Mexico." Although the next U.S. president "would be out of office" by '26, the next time the World Cup is available, the host country is scheduled to be decided in '20, when the president is "still in his or her first term." Carlisle noted Gulati was "quick to emphasize that there are numerous factors that go into winning the hosting rights for a World Cup and that a leader who might be unpopular elsewhere in the world isn't necessarily a deal-breaker" (ESPNFC.us, 6/7). Gulati said, "We are going to bid for a World Cup if we think we can be successful. Being successful in a World Cup bid or an Olympic bid for Los Angeles (in '24) is affected by the world's view of our leaders -- not just leaders of the soccer federation." USA TODAY's Martin Rogers notes soccer politics "is a tricky, convoluted and intricate business, and is contingent on factors that stretch far beyond the obvious things such as interest in the sport, suitable venues, travel infrastructure and so on" (USA TODAY, 6/8).
IN DUE TIME: Gulati said he has "no doubt" the USSF will at some point reach an agreement with the U.S. Women's National Team over charges it has violated antidiscrimination laws by not paying team members as much as the men. But Gulati said he "can't tell you when that will be." Gulati: "I don't think the tension is affecting anything we've seen. ... The players are completely focused. They were focused when we changed coaches a couple years ago. They'll be focused; they are very determined to win a gold medal. It's possible we have a new (CBA) agreement before then. We are going to do everything we can to get that done in a timely fashion." Gulati added, "There are legal issues, there are economic issues and there are public relations issues. This discussion has been mostly in the last of those three categories. The legal issue is now finished. The economic issue is what we're now talking about with them. I think we'll get to a resolution, but it's one that has to work and be line with the economics; it can't be divorced from any economics (revenue, TV ratings). Those are all quantifiable; I don't know how to quantify fairness" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/8).
AFTER THE GOLD RUSH: In N.Y., Jamie Trecker notes Gulati "quickly poured cold water" on a report "that a decision was 'close' on merging the Gold Cup and the Copa América" into a new U.S.-hosted tournament to be held every four years. Gulati: "The report is inaccurate. There have been no discussions about future events with U.S. Soccer or between Concacaf and Conmebol, but having said that there could be discussions in the future. It would have to be some new event" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/8).
