DOES MLS NEED TO HELP DALLAS TEAM SO FANS CAN FEEL THE BURN?

          The MLS Burn's second season saw "a disappointing" 40%
     decline in attendance, and a "loss of general awareness in
     the city," according to soccer writer Steve Davis of the
     DALLAS MORNING NEWS.  Davis wrote that without an owner as
     an advocate in the MLS office, the team "suffered from a
     certain amount of league inattention," an assertion that MLS
     officials "have disputed."  Davis added that a "league
     decision" reduced marketing and advertising expenditures "by
     more than" 50% "eroded" local awareness of the team.  Davis
     wrote that the league "must provide Dallas, and the other
     two league-operated teams, more support," pointing out that
     the Burn is the "one MLS team without an established U.S.
     National Team player to sell to its fans."  Latino fans, who
     comprised "about half" of last year's base.  Davis noted the
     team's 8-8 home record, and concluded, "The market is ripe
     but demands better performance" (MORNING NEWS, 10/18).