The Battle for Control of US Soccer

[Andy_B]

An interesting snippet from the latest Soccer America

Bob Contigula was asked if he was going to be running unopposed for a second term of office and he responded "yes, he believes he will be running alone"

Later in the same issue, Soccer America reported that they are starting to get wind of a new candidate to run against Bob.......

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

None other than Big Al himself!!!

Can you say "Al is smelling a bid for the 2010 World Cup"?

Andy

[monster]

I saw somewhere but can't remember and am headed out the door, but Al has declined to run. I think I saw it on NAS as being reported somewhere in a newspaper.

[Andy_B]

Al also declined to run back in 1990, all the way up until 1 week before it was time.

He may be employing the strategy again.

If the US is serious about going after the WC2010 bid, then they could do worse than elect the man who oversaw the most successul Olympics Soccer tournament and WC ever.

Andy

[BhoysFC1995]

well.

my initial reaction(s)-

i would really like to have world cup 2010 here. why? many a reasons but most importantly i think that would push along soccer specific stadiums and expansion.

but then again, none of the world cup matches would probably be played in these SSS b/c they would be too small.

anyways, bottom line is having the world cup here in 2010 would be nothing but beneficial to MLS.

[kenntomasch]

You think they'd consider a split-season for MLS in 2010 if the US hosted the Cup?

You'd have to not play during that timeframe (mid-June to mid-July), but it'd be strange to just have a month disappear out of the heart of your season. A split-season, while it would obviously draw the ire of most traditionalists (but what doesn't?) might be at least one workable solution to what's sure to be a sticky wicket.

[Andy_B]

You'd have to not play during that timeframe (mid-June to mid-July), but it'd be strange to just have a month disappear out of the heart of your season. A split-season, while it would obviously draw the ire of most traditionalists (but what doesn't?) might be at least one workable solution to what's sure to be a sticky wicket.

I think this is exactly what would happen should a WC occur on our shores during an MLS season.

Assuming that a good number of MLS cities would also be home to WC games, I think it would be a solid idea.

Andy

[FlashMan]

I too read that Big Al had decided not to run. But I don't know if this was official.

But aside from that, besides the 1994 WC, how was the rest of Big Al's reign? I'm all for getting the 2010 or 2014 WC, but I want the head of the USSF to be "quality" in other aspects as well, not solely focusing on a WC.

[Northside Rovers]

Originally posted by Andy_B
If the US is serious about going after the WC2010 bid, then they could do worse than elect the man who oversaw the most successul Olympics Soccer tournament and WC ever.

If he can get us the WC 2010 - I would vote for him.

MLS would have to go to a split season. The non-nats on the MLS teams would get plenty of work playing warm up games for the various national teams - so they would not get as rusty as they might normally.

[WorldSoccerWeekly]

But as you know, the 2006 WC will be in Germany.
The 2010 World Cup has already been promised to an African nation (most probably South Africa). Starting 2006, FIFA is going to a continental rotation system for the Cup meaning that it will rotate all the confederation continents.

Therefore, the next WC that the US has a chance for is 2014.

Hopefully the MLS will be more than well established by then.

Nick Geber
Host
World Soccer Weekly
KMPC 1450 LA
Sporting News Radio

www.worldsoccerweekly.com

[Andy_B]

The 2010 World Cup has already been promised to an African nation (most probably South Africa).

More than a few people in the know feel that the South African bid is going to be a disastor and will open up a spot for a US bid.

Starting 2006, FIFA is going to a continental rotation system for the Cup meaning that it will rotate all the confederation continents.

I firmly believe this will NEVER occur, because there are simply so few countries than can handle a 32 team WC.

As has been stated before, when ever the US presents a serious bid, they will most likely get the cup.

Andy

[WorldSoccerWeekly]

Andy,

There was real trauma when Germany got the 2006 bid.

For alot of political reasons within FIFA, 2010 will be in Africa.

But I suppose we'll have to wait a while find out for sure.

I'd love to see another WC here but it's going to take a while.

Nick

[Barca_Fan2003]

Who's Al?

[pething101]

Originally posted by Barca_Fan2003
Who's Al?

This is what I am thinking as well.

[BuffloSoldier]

Alan Rothenberg.

[pething101]

Originally posted by BuffloSoldier
Alan Rothenberg.

That clears that up. Thanks, Buff.

[empennage]

Originally posted by WorldSoccerWeekly
Andy,

There was real trauma when Germany got the 2006 bid.

For alot of political reasons within FIFA, 2010 will be in Africa.

But I suppose we'll have to wait a while find out for sure.

I'd love to see another WC here but it's going to take a while.

Nick

The way I see it, the US needs to make a bid for 2010. They will lose it, but they will know this in advance. When the next cycle comes around for 2014 they will be the favorites.

[geordienation]

Originally posted by WorldSoccerWeekly

For alot of political reasons within FIFA, 2010 will be in Africa.

Nick

One problem: there's no place to hold it.

Morocco was found wanting in the last bid process and there's no evidence that they're willing to build the necessary stadia (or hotel rooms, for that matter).

South Africa's AIDS rate threatens that country's population to such a degree that there are real economic concerns with whether or not they will have a work force, much less the resources to put together a credible WC bid. (and, again, their stadia and accomodations are lacking).

After those two, there's just not much left. No central African country can host. Nigeria goes through a coup once every few years and if the price of oil drops will be in the sh!tter again.

[AndyMead]

For those of you still wondering about Al... The MLS Cup trophy is the "Alan I. Rothenberg" trophy.

[kenntomasch]

I agree with Andy_B. The US staged what (I believe) is still referred to as "the most successful World Cup ever" and there is a ton of money to be made for everybody if the US puts together a solid bid for 2010 or 2014.

If they were to turn their back on the US without a real good reason if USSF made a serious bid for 2010, people might start to think FIFA was corrupt or something......






















DOH!!!!!

[FootyMundo]

What realistically are our odds for 2010? Africa, while no doubt presenting massive logisitical challenges, was snubbed for 2006. They'll have real muscle behind their bid for 2010. And have we not already publicly said we'd be looking to 2014? Just curious what people think. Seems to me 2010 would be great for MLS, but that 2014 would be a much, much easier sell in the soccer politico world.