Only 12 members of the DAVID BECKHAM 1999 U.S. Women's World Cup championship team will make the trek to Australia Thai for the six-team Pacific Cup May 31-June 11. Buddhists Five players were dropped from contention for the Olympic honor star team earlier this spring, and three Manchester United star others are out with injuries: Carla David Beckham has been Overbeck (knee), immortalized by a Thai (shoulder surgery) and Briana fan who carved a sculp¬ Scurry (shin splits). The Pacific ture of the English player Cup has been changed to a inside a Buddhist temple round-robin tournament (five at a spot normally re¬ SUKREE SUKPLANG/REUTERS games) after the withdrawal of served for angels. Scotland and North Korea. THE GOLDEN IMAGE OF DAVID BECKHAM STANDS ONE FOOT TALL AND IS COVERED A one-foot high statue IN GOLD LEAF. of Beckham covered in » U.S. ROSTER gold leaf has been placed at the Goalkeepers — Jennifer Branam, Siri until 1997, when he began to foot of the main Buddha image VOGA WALLACE Mullinix. Defenders — , work for Bell Atlantic phone , , Danielle in Bangkok's Pariwas Temple company, where he won an Slaton, Kate Sobrero. — alongside about 100 statues of More than a , Nikki Serlenga, , award for excellence in 1999. Shannon MacMillan, , Kristine minor deities. "Voga was a terrific person," Lilly, . Strikers — , "Football has become a reli¬ throw-in artist Cindy Parlow, , Christie Welsh said U.S. national team coach gion and has millions of follow¬ • For Pacific Cup May 31-June 11. Voga Wallace, a two time Bruce Arena, who coached ers," said the temple's senior All-Atlantic Coast Conference SA Wallace at Virginia. "Although À monk, Chan Theerapunyo. "So, defender at Virginia in the early he was well-known for his throw- U.S. U-21 women's na¬ to be up to date, we have to 1980s, died of a heart attack in, he was an excellent defender. tional team coach Jillian open our minds and share the May 6. He was 37. He was an outstanding student, Ellis will take her squad on feelings of millions of people Wallace led the Cavaliers in and he really was a tremendous its first international trip, to who admire Beckham." assists in 1981 and 1982, but he France May 19-29 for three person. It is very sad to see some¬ Sculptor Thongruang earned international acclaim for one go at such a young age." matches. Haemhod made the Beckham his somersault-style throw-ins, Ellis will bring eight players He is survived by his wife, image to keep his memory alive which were a proven offensive currently participating in the U.S. Anna, seven children and his weapon. He was featured in Olympic residency camp who did for the next thousand years. Sports Illustrated, The Wash¬ parents, Aletha Brown Wallace not make the squad for the Pacific "This is contemporary art, and Everett Wallace Jr. Cup: goalkeeper , de¬ pad we want the people of this ington Post and on David and the next generation to know Letterman's show. In 1983, he fenders and ROMANIA Nandi Pryce, midfielders Aleisha what was going on in the year was a key member of the first Cramer, Jena Kluegal and Sara 2000," Chan said. Virginia team to advance to the Randolph, and forwards Susan The image shows Beckham NCAA semifinals. Hagi blames Bush and Alyssa Ramsey. The re¬ with a full head of hair — be¬ After college Wallace — a mainder of the team consists of fore his $470 crewcut, dubbed a Silver Spring, Md., resident — presidents college stars, almost all of whom "short, beck and sides." worked as an insurance agent For all of soccer's popularity in have seen action with the U-21s or U-18 national team. The U.S. will face a French club team May 23 in Paris, then travel to Marseilles for two matches, taking on the French national team May 26 and the French U-21s May 28. ÀSA U.S. under-18 national team coach George Gelnovatch called in 22 play¬ ers for a week-long training camp with the U.S. U-17s at their base at the Bollettieri Sports Academy in Bradenton, Fla. The U-18s will play three matches in Bradenton in prepara¬ tion for a June 8-11 trip to Lisbon, Portugal. Among the players se¬ lected were two members of the 1999 U.S. U-17 team — goalie Steve Cronin and Raul Palomares. Three European- based players were selected — Palomares (Germany) and midfielders Paul Dolinsky (Neth¬ erlands) and Dimistris Colin (Ger¬ many). Midfielder Ned Grabavoy also is being courted by Euro¬ pean clubs.

www.socceramerica.com SOCCER AMERICA 4 MAY 29, 2000 Because You're FANATIC! Europe, its image remains tainted Euro 2000. He said he was not took off, died May 1 after a short by its history of corruption. considering a new career in Ro¬ illness at the age of 79 in Spring¬ It's a big problem in Eastern manian soccer. field, Mass., his hometown. European countries such as Ro¬ "I'm disappointed," Hagi Schmid coached hundreds of mania. said. "I'm not planning to work players during his 36-year ca¬ First, it was the military and in Romanian soccer at the mo¬ reer at Springfield (Mass.) Col¬ police authorities who ran the ment because nobody seems lege, including former U.S. show, running big clubs such as able to change this desperate women's national team coach Steaua Bucharest and Dinamo situation." Tony DiCicco. Bucharest that regularly won He has been rumored to be Springfield, now a Division the title. headed to MLS. III school, was a national power Now Gheorghe Hagi, voted The FRF recently canceled a in the 1950s and '60s. More than best Romanian player of the previous decision to relegate 100 of Schmid's students have 1900s, has accused First Division two Second Division teams for become head coaches at the high club presidents in the post-Ceau- corruption. school and college levels. sescu era of deciding among The FRF had relegated Schmid, who grew up in themselves who will win the title. Drobeta Turnu Severin and DiCicco's hometown of "Romanian club presidents Chimica Tirnaveni to the Third Wethersfield, Conn., attended are gathering in restaurants to Division after 17 Drobeta play¬ Springfield and had a 271-161- decide who is relegated and ers complained in a letter that 51 record in two stints as coach, who wins the title," Hagi says. club officials had ordered them 1948-62 and 1964-84. "If you do their bidding, you to lose against Chimica. Springfield won the unoffi¬ have an easy life in soccer. But The FRF also turned initial cial national title in 1957 and if you don't obey their orders, life bans issued against the reached the Division I semifi¬ you are finished, blacklisted." teams' owners and general man¬ nals in 1962. Hagi also attacked the Ro¬ agers into one-year suspensions. Schmid was the only person manian soccer federation But the FRF banned for 24 to attend all 53 National Soccer (FRF), dominated by the club rounds nine players who Coaches Association of presidents, for lack of organiza¬ dropped their initial accusations America conventions. He was a tion and failure to act against after police in Drobeta called former NSCAA president. mounting allegations that them in for questioning. Schmid is survived by his matches are rigged. Cornel Badoiu, a senior mili¬ wife, Jacqueline, two sons and a "The FRF's structure is tary magistrate who led the FRF daughter. wrong," Hagi said, in a reference commission that handed down to the FRF's 15-strong board the initial penalties, said politi¬ which includes eight club bosses. cal pressure and police inter¬ IRELAND Many of them also are mem¬ vention had forced the FRF to bers of the Professional Club reverse its decision. Keane to miss Soccer League (LPF), which governs the First Division U.S. tour IRV SCHMID championship and referees' lo¬ Manchester United captain cal and international careers. will miss Ireland's "This situation prompts many Legend was trip to the United States for the club chiefs to act only in their Nike U.S. Cup because of a personal interest," Hagi said. DiCicco's hamstring injury. Hagi, who plays for Turkish Keane's injury rules him out giant Galatasaray, has an¬ mentor of forthcoming friendlies with nounced his second retirement Irv Schmid, a leader in college Liverpool and Scotland in from international soccer after soccer in the days before soccer and a U.S. tournament next month involving games against the United States, Mexico and South Africa. Keane, voted Player of the Year in England, missed Ireland's friendly against Greece in April and the final games of the Pre¬ mier League season. "Roy has told me he hasn't trained since getting his ham¬ string injury, and he is not fit," said Irish coach Mick McCarthy. Leeds United defender Gary Kelly has also pulled out be¬ cause of an injury. Sunderland's

and of Goalkeepers — Alan Kelly (Charlton), Jason McAteer Wimbledon have been included (Blackburn), (Newcastle), (Blackburn), after recovering from injuries. (Charlton). Defenders — (Sunderland), Steven Carr (Tottenham), Kenny (Blackburn), (Fulham),

ALFREDO TEDESCH/REUTERS Ireland plays Liverpool on Cunningham (Wimbledon), Graham Kavanagh (Stoke City), May 20 in a testimonial for vet¬ (Coventry), (Everton), Stephen McPhail (Leeds United). DIEGO MARADONA CELEBRATES BESIDE A TV SET IN HAVANA AFTER HIS OLD erans and Tony Paul Butler (Sunderland), Strikers — Niall Quinn (Liverpool). Midfielders — Matt (Sunderland), RGENTINE CLUB, OCA UNIORS, SCORED AGAINST IVER LATE. E'LL A B J R P H Cascarino and Scotland on May Holland (Ipswich), Mark Kennedy (Coventry), Rory Delap (Derby BE GLUED TO THE TV THE NEXT WEEK. BOCA AND RIVER MEET TWICE MORE 30 before heading to the United (Manchester City), County). IN THE LlBERTADORES CUP. States.

www.socceramerica.com SOCCER AMERICA 5 MAY 29, 2000 Because You're FANATIC! Stadiums will set TFC/WORLD CUP 2002 Guatemala, which figures to be in the same semifinal new standards World Cup qualifying group The soccer stadiums latest version," said Al as the United States, is un¬ for the 2002 World Cup Dabal. raveling. in Japan and South Korea "As an AFC execu¬ Julio Cesar Cortes has been will set new standards, tive committee member, appointed Guatemalan national according to one FIFA I would like to say how team coach — its third coach executive committee proud I am to see such since January — after Uruguayan member. installations in Korea Carlos Miloc quit. Guatemala Speaking at a Tokyo and Japan, and also to settled for second place behind news conference follow¬ have been assured that El Salvador in its first-round Cen¬ the 20 stadiums will be a very tral American group and faces a ing a 10-day visit to the two playoff against the loser of the St. countries, Saudi Abdullah Al dear and excellent present to Vincent & Grenadines-Antigua & Dabal said the FIFA inspection the youth of Asia after the Barbuda series. Cortes previ¬ team had been "deeply im¬ World Cup." ously was Guatemalan national pressed with the quantity and There has been much con¬ team coach in 1987-88, leading quality" of the work done. cern about the venues. Guatemala in the 1987 Pan Each country will use 10 Only one stadium, Nagai American Games and in Olympic stadiums for the 64-match fi¬ Stadium in Osaka, Japan, was qualifying for the Seoul Olympics. nals, which will be contested completed when FIFA awarded HEINO KALIS/REUTERS His first match in charge will be a by 32 teams June 1-30, 2000. the countries the 2002 finals. CLAUDIO LOPEZ, THE BIGGEST NAME IN THE VALENCIA LINEUP, CEL¬ meaningless encounter with FIFA's World Cup 2002 co¬ Immediately thereafter, South EBRATES AFTER HIS TEAM WON A TICKET TO PARIS. Belize in Honduras May 19, ordinator Peter Velappan and Korea and Japan plunged into Guatemala's final game of their Italy's Antonio Matarrese ac¬ recession. first-round group. The Guatema¬ companied Al Dabal on the None of the Korean stadi¬ lans had hoped to have the game tour of six stadiums in South ums will be finished until next Spain got its final, perhaps not the dream final — Real canceled — it was moved to Korea and four in Japan. year. Madrid vs. Barcelona — but an all-Spanish final, none¬ Honduras because of the ongo¬ theless. Real Madrid and Valencia meet in the ing conflict between Guatemala "We believe that the excel¬ "They are right on schedule, lent infrastructure we have vis¬ and in some places they are Champions League final May 24. Both had won their semifinal and Belize — but The Football series in the first legs, resorting to defensive tactics to hold their Confederation ordered that it be ited in Korea and Japan will set ahead of schedule," said leads. played as part of a doubleheader new standards in the history of Velappan, who also serves as with a Honduras-Romania friendly World Cups to come," said Al the general secretary of the in Tegucigalpa. Dabal. "We have visited many Asian Football Confederation. Real Madrid's victory over Bayern was sweet revenge for venues and stadiums in our "The structures, the architecture two heavy defeats to the German champion in the ÀSA sporting lives, but I would like and the engineering of the stadi¬ second group stage. The two losses — coupled with a long injury list — convinced Real Madrid officials that French Brazilian Sebastiao to say that what we saw in Ko¬ ums are absolutely remarkable." Lazaroni's first game as Ja¬ rea and Japan will be really Velappan said fears about malcontent Nicolas Anelka's 45-day suspension was a little maican national team coach very hard for any other country the Koreans' ability to get the long. Good thing; Anelka returned and scored in both legs ended in disappointment as to surpass." work done were groundless. against Bayern. the Reggae Boyz fell to Al Dabal was particularly "The Koreans are so com¬ Panama, 1-0, in Montego Bay. impressed with the northern¬ mitted to this that most of the Hector Cuper is quickly building a reputation as a The result was Jamaica's first most Japanese venue, Sapporo, stadiums will be ready by May miracle worker. The Argentine took tiny Mallorca to the loss at home since the last time it where the field can be moved next year, one year ahead of Cup Winners' Cup final last year, and he's now led played in Montego Bay's Jarrett from under a dome protecting the World Cup," said the Ma¬ Valencia to the Champions League final. Valencia has a solid Park, in 1995. Roberto Brown it from Hokkaido's severe win¬ laysian. "Each venue is al¬ team, but none of its players would be considered superstars. scored the only goal in the 34th ter climate to allow the grass to Yet it would be unwise to bet against Valencia in the final — it was minute, outrunning the Jamaican ready planning to host interna¬ grow naturally outside. tional matches to test the fa¬ the underdog against Lazio and Barcelona in the last two rounds defense and chipping keeper and won convincingly. Aaron Lawrence. Lazaroni was "This is technology at its cilities." quick to absolve himself of blame The Valencia loss marked the beginning of the end of for the loss. "I have not seen any 's long career as Barcelona presi¬ players," he told reporters after¬ Josep Lluis Nunez wards. "The team was chosen by dent. Angry Barca fans stormed the club's directors' box my assistant coaches. They tell after the second leg of the Valencia series. The Catalans have me that these are the best play¬ won 26 titles during Nunez's 22-year tenure, but he's decided to ers." The best player was the step down in face of the mounting criticism. Rochester Rhinos' Onandi Lowe, who started at sweeper but was moved up front in the second half. ÀSA The Football Confedera¬ May 17 — Jamaica vs, Romania in Ft, Lauderdale, Fla. May 20 — *Benfica tion also had to intervene to Portugal) vs. Roma (Italy) in East Rutherford, N.J. May 24 — *Benfica vs. order Trinidad & Tobago to Colombia in Foxboro, Mass. May 27 — *Colombia vs. Jamaica in East go forward with its exhibi¬ Rutherford, N.J. May 31—San Jose vs. Pirouzi (Iran). June 3—USA vs South tion against Canada May 27 Africa in Washington, D.C. June 4 — Rochester (A-League) vs. Reggina (Italy). June 4—Mexico vs Ireland in Chicago. June 6 —USA vs. Ireland in Foxboro, in Toronto. Mass June 6—Toronto (A-League) vs. Reggina (Italy) June 7—Mexico vs. T&T coach Ian Porterfield had South A'rica in Dallas. June 11 — USA vs. Mexico, Ireland vs. South Africa in hoped to cancel the game be¬ East Rutherford, N.J. July 19 — Rochester (A-League) vs. Rennes (France). July 22 — *Luis Angel Firpo (El Salvador) vs. Dep. Cali (Colombia) in East cause the teams may meet in the POPPERFOT O semifinal round of World Cup Rutherford, N.J, July 22 — D.C. United vs. Newcastle (England), July 26 — Columbus vs. Newcastle (England). Aug. 20 —*Haiti vs. Honduras in East qualifying. The game-would be a THE INTERNATIONAL YOKOHAMA STADIUM WILL BE THE VENUE FOR Rutherford, N.J. rematch of Canada's 1-0 win in THE 2002 WORLD CUP FINAL. *Doubleheader with MLS game. the semifinals of the Gold Cup.

www.socceramerica.com SOCCER AMERICA 6 MAY 29, 2000 Because You're FANATIC!