World Cup glory is the next American dream (The Times, June 9) Nothing we didn't already know here. But it is one of the better pieces you're likely to read on soccer in America out of the British press. They actually did some research, though mostly the author's just presenting Gazidis' thoughts. At present, America is producing top-class youngsters at an extraordinary rate. Tim Howard, the New York-New Jersey MetroStars goalkeeper, is to join Manchester United on July 1 and will have Jonathan Spector, a 17-year-old defender from the IMG academy in Florida, for company. Danny Karbassiyoon, another youngster, has signed a contract with Arsenal, while Freddie Adu, a 14-year-old, is attracting a clamour of interest from Europe.
Brave new world More from the Times with Gazidis. HAVING BEEN SOUNDED OUT by the FA over their recent vacancy for a chief executive, Ivan Gazidis has stated his belief that the English game could learn some valuable lessons from its American cousin.