[nas] Well done! Positive reinforcement for the Mad Brit!

First off, good article on Jan. 2!  And no doubt, that was the biggest story
of '03.  What a soap opera!

I found two of the letters you published to be very interesting.

First, I always took it hard when people complained about how MLS isn't
worth anything, and took great pride as a host of MLS players (current and
former) were integral parts to the USA's dominance over Portugal and Mexico,
as well as good showings against Korea and Germany.  But I always took it on
faith that college soccer wasn't worth a damn - season is too short, they
use silly rules (even by American soccer standards), the level of play is
pathetic.

But the letter you put in your mailbag about the collegians who contributed
in '02 really surprised me.  Don't get me wrong, I would rather see college
soccer improve some things, and I think P-40 is insanely important to the US
continuting to get up to worldwide standards, but Eddie Pope?  Clint Mathis?
Josh Wolff?  Claudio?  I won't list all of them, but needless to say that
certainly there is some value to playing college soccer.

Second, Tom Lang writes: "I had previously been under the impression that
American football fans had no idea what was going on in European football
and it is refreshing to see that you do. Your diary is more insightful into
our game than most newspaper reports in Spain, England and Italy, and also
offers impartial views. It has also made me realize how ignorant I am of the
MLS and what an intriguing league it actually is. Thanks very much for the
fantastic work."

If you are having that kind of an effect, then keep on keeping on.

Besides, I figured after all the complaining I did recently, you should know
that I am an equal opportunity commentor.  :-)

(For those so interested, The Mad Brit Diary can be found at:
http://www.soccertimes.com/ and this particular article is at:
http://www.soccertimes.com/oped/2004/jan02.htm)

Cheers,
Kevin

I've heard the Scream of the Butterfly
Suwon, Korea, 6-5-02
http://flashpages.prodigy.net/klindstr/home.html



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