It’s the International House of Soccer

In his soccer column of Jan. 11, Grahame L. Jones reveals the dilemma faced when writing about the world’s most popular sport in a foreign outpost we know as the USA. I admire his self-critical analysis, and heartily applaud the stated determination to focus on the international scene.

The mark of any renowned world-class newspaper is the degree to which it covers not only regional and national events, but also the extent to which it brings the world’s stage into our homes--whether it be news or sport.

In a time where media and commerce make the world considerably smaller, and in a metropolitan area with such a varied populace as Los Angeles, there will clearly be an interest in the “new” soccer columns of Mr. Jones and in the continued “World Sport” columns of Mike Penner. May they continue long after the Winter Olympics and World Cup become memories.

M.D. BICAY

Valencia

*

To Grahame Jones, international man of mystery:

Now that you are a self-proclaimed “international” columnist, the brief opinions of a Los Angeles Laker, King, Dodger and Galaxy fan probably will not mean much to you, but pardon my myopic shortsightedness.

As you ponder your next article about the pounding Celtic put on the Rangers, consider this: Do you really think an AYSO player will read your new world beat and think:

“Geez, why should I care about the incredible rise of Greg Vanney, from the clubs of Phoenix, to the UCLA Bruins, and then to the Galaxy, when, out there on the globe, some teenager with no last name (or is it no first name?) had his legs insured? Finally a role model. Daddy, if I don’t wear my shin guards, will that increase your premiums?”

If you really want to appeal to the “tens of thousands” of futbol fans out there who crave weekly info on Chivas or Botafogo and couldn’t care less about Jeff Agoos, I have a suggestion for you: Write your column in Spanish.

ADAM SKARSGARD

Hermosa Beach