SOUTH KOREA REFUSES TO COHOST THE 2002 WORLD CUP WITH JAPAN

     South Korea's top soccer official ruled out the possibility
of co-hosting the 2002 World Cup with Japan, according to KYODO
NEWS.  South Korean Soccer Federation President Chung Mong Joon
said South Korea will seek the Cup by itself.  Chung's remarks
were in response to reports that politicians were looking at a
joint sponsorship as a way to break the rivalry between Seoul and
Tokyo.  Chung: "It is possible for lawmakers of the two nations
to discuss the issue, but the host country of the World Cup
cannot be decided through political talks" (KYODO NEWS, 7/17).
     SOCCER PICKS UP STEAM:  The U.S. team's success in the Copa
America has the world learning to respect U.S. Soccer, according
to U.S. Coach Steve Sampson (BOSTON HERALD, 7/19).  David Whitley
writes in Tampa, "Americans used to go abroad and get sand kicked
and headed into their faces.  Now they are Rambo-ing through the
America Cup and we know it may never be the same" (TAMPA TRIBUNE,
7/19).