Kicking Up Controversy
Steve Sampson recently found himself at the center of a genuine controversy. Even though he had coached the U.S. national soccer team through World Cup qualifying play, Sampson had not received a contract extension.
Sportswriters and television newscasters were reporting rumors that a more-experienced coach might be hired to take the team to France ’98.
“I personally did not enjoy the process because I’m a human being,” Sampson said. “But I think that, from a purely marketing standpoint, it did generate interest.”
And Sampson, who finally got his contract extension this month, appreciates the value of generating interest. The Agoura Hills resident knows that, not so long ago, no one would have paid such close attention to his team.
“I think soccer [in the U.S.] has grown dramatically over the last three or four years,” he said. “There is so much more attendance and popularity, and I think it will continue to grow.”
That may be wishful thinking, but Sampson has reason to feel optimistic.
Soccer’s rise in popularity began in 1994 when the United States hosted the Cup, drawing 3.5 million spectators to matches at stadiums across the nation. Then the women’s Olympic team became a fan favorite on its way to winning a gold medal in the 1996 Atlanta Games.
More recently, the men’s national team drew sold-out crowds to qualifying matches in Portland, Boston and Washington, D.C.
So when Sampson takes his squad across the Atlantic next summer, he predicts that a nation will be watching, which will likely add to the burden of having to play in the same four-team group as powerful Germany and Yugoslavia.
“I think the expectations are higher now. People are demanding that the team does well,” he said. “Even though this is added pressure for both the coach and the players, I think it’s a positive step for the sport.”
His reasoning goes along these lines: increased popularity brings more and better coverage from the media, which attracts more and better corporate sponsors.
“That’s the difference,” he said. “I don’t think any major sport can survive without corporate sponsorship.”
Money is the final link in the chain. The cash that sponsors pour into soccer will eventually trickle down from the top.
“The American people aren’t going to accept a loser,” Sampson said. “Those corporations that have bought into the sport are going to put their resources behind investing in the future of soccer. There will be on-going pressure to discover and develop talent.”
And that would be a very good thing for soccer, even if the coach of the national team has to endure an occasional controversy.
