Soccer Is a Great Game, but No One Knows It

Many times in the last few years, and once again in Melvin Durslag’s column on Saturday, Feb. 24, the Times has published articles that raise the same question about soccer in the United States. At least Durslag’s point of view was relatively positive, and didn’t make any statements that were patently wrong to anyone who knows anything about soccer.

When I was in high school here in Los Angeles 30 years ago, soccer was unknown. Twelve years ago, through my kids playing AYSO, I started to learn about the game. Now I coach and referee AYSO, and referee L.A. City and CIF high school games, and play in an over-30 league.

Soccer is an incredible game from every angle except maybe a TV advertiser’s point of view. But without that TV exposure and the proper promotion, it’s just going to take that much longer. It’s a pity that the opportunity afforded the United States to promote soccer through hosting the 1994 World Cup is being squandered.

STEPHEN G. VINER, Los Angeles