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player ready...U.S. head coach Steve Sampson’s job, the subject of speculation since early in the qualifying process, looked to be a wee bit more secure after Sunday’s one-sided win.
“The likelihood that Steve will be in France is much greater now than it was when we left RFK (Stadium),” said U.S. Soccer President Alan Rothenberg, alluding to last month’s deflating 1-1 home tie with Jamaica. “We’re not out searching for anyone else right now.”
The Jamaica debacle was followed by an unprecedented tie in Mexico City and the decisive Canada win, improving Sampson’s chances of taking the team to France ’98. Rothenberg and Sampson will meet in the next few weeks to discuss Sampson’s future.
Sampson, 40, is used to running on tiptoes through quicksand. He was named interim coach in early 1995 after World Cup ’94 field leader Bora Milutinovic was fired. Sampson promptly coached the team to a U.S. Cup title and a semifinal appearance in Copa America, South America’s premier tournament. The federation, which had been openly courting several top foreign candidates, found its hand forced.
“If they decide to make a change, I’ve achieved my goal and I’ll be very satisfied with what I’ve accomplished,” Sampson said.
“I’ve never asked for the players’ support. I sense the chemistry on the team is good and that’s all I can ask for.”
He did get player support, however.
“His personality and character is something we’ve all gravitated toward,” said defender Alexi Lalas, who played his second straight strong game after being benched by Sampson for two games. “The players have grown to respect him. We’ve played some of our best soccer as a country under Steve Sampson.”
Quick kicks: The U.S. bench had an open cellular telephone line to receive updates from the Jamaica-El Salvador match, courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador. . . . Sampson said he will field a strong team in the now-moot match against El Salvador next Sunday in Foxboro, Mass., although he will hold out any players with yellow cards and may release players to foreign clubs. . . . Lalas will go on loan to a club team in Ecuador until the national team convenes again in January. . . . El Salvador and Jamaica, which plays Mexico at home next Sunday, are still in contention for the last CONCACAF slot.