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Search: 'Lamar Hunt'

Stories

USA – The death of an influential figure

One of the game’s American pioneers has died. David Wangerin wonders if the game Lamar Hunt leaves behind is that healthy

Soccer America referred to him as “the man who may have done more to advance soccer’s cause in the USA than any other individual”. It may be improbable, but could be true. Though Lamar Hunt, who died in December, is better known for starting the AFL professional gridiron league that ended up merging with the mighty NFL, his impact on America’s international brand of football was no less significant. Eulogists may have focused on his underwriting of the US’s first soccer-specific stadium and ownership of NASL and MLS franchises, but his most telling contribution to the game was probably his sheer loyalty.

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USA – The problem of expansion

Despite the national side’s impressive displays at last year’s World Cup, America’s domestic league desperately needs to expand, says Mike Woitalla

US manager Bruce Arena allowed cameras into his 2002 World Cup dressing room to film the doc­umentary Our Way. Before sending his men out, he reminded them that they were representing “the greatest country in the world”. Perhaps the phrase provided the extra inspiration needed for his team to reach the quarter-finals. Or maybe Arena was trying to prevent post-tournament defections to Norway, No 1 according to the UN Human Development Index of “most livable” nations. As for the veracity of the “greatest” claim – one heard commonly in a nation where just ten per cent of the population holds a passport – let’s just consider it too subjective to squabble over. But clearly the USA isn’t the greatest place for a professional soc­cer player.

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Major success?

Mike Woitalla reviews the opening season of Major League Soccer and suggests that football followers in the US may have got what they've been hoping for

For roughly two-thirds of the money that Newcastle United spent on Alan Shearer, Sunil Gulati acquired enough players for an entire league – Major League Soccer. Gulati teaches economics at Columbia University – is there room in the class Mr Keegan? – but is better known as the deputy commissioner of MLS.

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