THE SIDELINES : Beckenbauer Talks With USSF

Franz Beckenbauer, who coached the West German team to a World Cup victory last month, is talking with the U.S. Soccer Federation about becoming part of the 1994 World Cup effort in the United States.

Alan Rothenberg, a Los Angeles trial lawyer who ousted Werner Fricker for the USSF presidency last week, said Sunday that there is no agreement yet with Beckenbauer, a former member of the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League and captain of West Germany’s 1974 World Cup championship team.

“But I understand there have been discussions to that effect, and that is something I quickly want to get into,” Rothenberg said.

Bob Gansler’s contract to coach the U.S. team runs out at the end of the year. Rothenberg has not said whether Gansler will be retained.

Beckenbauer, who resigned as West German coach after the World Cup victory, said he has no desire to coach the U.S. team. There is widespread speculation that he will become the team’s technical director.