Team USA's "poor" showing at the World Cup, stems from
the U.S. Soccer Federation's "inability to develop world-
class stars," according to John Eisenberg of the Baltimore
SUN. Eisenberg: "Where are the minorities, the sons of
Hispanic and African-American parents? Not nearly enough
are in the pipeline. ... The reality is the United States
might never approach Brazil, England or any country in which
soccer comes first. There's just too much interest in those
countries and not enough here" (Baltimore SUN, 6/25). On
CBS SportsLine, Bob Keisser writes that "while the rest of
the world sets its alarm clocks to the World Cup schedule,
America stays asleep. It's this lack of passion for soccer
that separates North America from everyone else." Keisser
added, "It doesn't help a bit that most network coverage is
passionless" (CBS SportsLine, 6/24).
SAMPSON STANDS THE HEAT: U.S. Soccer coach Steve
Sampson, on criticism he has received from his own players:
"They have a choice whether to be professional or not. I've
always been professional with them. I will never criticize
a player through the press" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 6/25).
