Jordan Carroway Vienna, Va. I have heard that Jovan Kirovski is moving to the English club Sunderland. Can you confirm this? Pete Bailey: There is a deal in the works in which Sunderland of the English First Division would buy the U.S. international striker from Borussia Dortmund of Germany, but it depends on whether Kirovski receives a work permit — the same issue that ultimately forced him to leave Manchester United for Germany. (Kirovski starred on Manchester United’s youth team with the likes of Gary and Phillip Neville, Paul Scholes, and David Beckham, all of whom have gone on to star for United and play for England’s national team.) Apparently, he met many of the numerical requirements for a work permit (current international with a solid reputation who had played in close to three quarters of the USA’s matches in the previous two years), but was refused a permit because salaries for foreign workers (regardless of the type of employment) are required to be towards the high end of the scale. This is to protect lower-wage English workers from losing their jobs to cheap foreign labor. Anyway, United apparently wasn’t willing to pay Kirovski a salary commensurate to that of proven international stars such as Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs, or Peter Schmeichel. Sunderland is purportedly willing to make Kirovski one of its highest paid players, and that’s why it feels that he will receive a work permit (a decision is expected in the next week or so). Sunderland is making a serious push to return to the Premier League after being relegated in the spring. It has also obtained midfielder Lee Clark from Newcastle and has just finished building a brand new stadium. Carlos W. Pereyra Albany, N.Y. When do you think Steve Sampson is going to notice Richie Williams enough to call him up to the national team? He does a fantastic job marking the best players in the league, yet he gets absolutely no recognition. Against Mexico, Sampson started Mike Sorber, whom I like, but he’s not the marker Williams is. I think it’s time that one of our best American players gets the international exposure he deserves. Am I alone in this opinion? Mike Woitalla: It puzzles me that Steve Sampson hasn’t called up Richie Williams. In my opinion, Williams would be the perfect player to pair up with Claudio Reyna in the midfield. Williams could do Reyna’s donkey work — as he does for Marco Etcheverry with D.C. United — so that Reyna can concentrate on attacking contributions. Also, I like the way Williams handles the ball after he wins it. I can’t say for sure that Williams would excel at the international level, but he definitely deserves a chance. Considering the scores of players Sampson has called up for a look, the omission of Williams is mind-boggling. Trent Hergenrader Chicago Now that MLS has officially decided to expand to Chicago in 1998 (something we’re very excited about), do you have any ideas as to where they’re going to get the foreign/allocated players to fill the roster and Soldier Field’s seats? Do you think that the league will try to bring U.S. players like Dooley or Reyna to Chicago, considering that most MLS teams have national team members? What international stars do you think MLS will try to lure? Besides a large Hispanic population, there are also tons of Polish and German soccer fans in Chicago, and more an hour away in Milwaukee. Duncan Irving: Chicago will draw well, and I’m sure it will get an enthusiastic reception with a largely soccer-friendly press (the Trib sends staffers to U.S. qualifiers, which is an encouraging sign). As for players, Dooley’s with Columbus, Reyna has just gone to Wolfsburg, so don’t expect to see either. I think, given the vagaries of the transfer market, a couple of older German stars — Juergen Klinsmann would be nice, but still too pricey, and maybe Lothar Matthaeus. A Polish player would be possible, and a cheaper Mexican would not be beyond the boundaries of possibility. I wouldn’t be too surprised to see Frank Klopas heading home from Kansas City, either. Bear in mind also that if it is a startup in ’98, a lot of top players will have their sights squarely fixed on France. A goal or two there, means a couple more zeroes on the transfer fee. Jeff Gordon New York City In your opinion, do you think the USSF’s 2010 World Cup victory goal is realistic? I think it is IF, and it’s a crucial if, this country’s soccer authorities make it a prime goal to ACTIVELY recruit in minority communities especially in urban areas like Los Angeles and Miami. In my opinion, the current U.S. system will generate 7-8 of the 11 players needed to reach that goal. However, it needs a striker, a midfielder, and a defender that this country has never seen. I have absolutely no doubt that there are at least three pre-teens out there (in a country of 268 million by the census’s latest count) that have the skills needed to lead the U.S. team. The problem is the USSF’s lack of initiative to find them. I’m sure the NBA would have no trouble visiting Harlem, downtown Detroit or SE Washington, D.C. if it could find there the next Shaq or Grant Hill or Michael Jordan. When will the USSF get the guts to do so? I know money is an issue. However, 1) the present system is not working, 2) Project-40, scary as it might be, is too late in a player’s development and 3) by spending significant funds in the inner-city, it captures that group which doesn’t fit in to the “soccer mom” groups whose players often drop the sport by high school. What do you think? Paul Kennedy: Money, frankly, is not the solution, whether it is spent on pre-teen inner-city kids or Project-40 young adults. There must be a desire on the part of young players to make it, just as young inner-city kids dream of playing in the NBA, and the super-organized “youth system” that provides a competitive environment (problems and all), just as basketball has become out of control with AAU All-Star teams. Trey Bohn Raleigh, N.C. I read your recent article in SA on recruiting services. Could you tell me if you think that they are a coming thing who’s time has not come yet or are they a waste of money and why? Mike Woitalla: If you have the benefit of college counseling at your high school, I would seek that first. I would identify colleges that suit your academic, social and financial needs. After you compile that list, you should investigate the soccer programs of those schools and send letters to the coaches. Tell the coach about yourself and ask him if he thinks you could make his team. Before you start spending money on recruiting services, do your own research. If college counseling isn’t available at your school — after you file a complaint with the principal, school district and congressman — go to the local library and investigate procedures of choosing a college. Grant McGeary Chester Springs, Pa. Is a large shoe size (12 or above) unusual in pro soccer? What are the problems that such a size might cause, if any? Pete Bailey: Yes, sizes 12 and up are definitely above-average for most pro players. According to Doug Newman of adidas, most players range in shoe size from a size 7 to a size 10. Among the larger-sized players are New England’s Alexi Lalas and D.C. United’s Eddie Pope (size 11 1/2) and San Jose’s John Doyle (size 13). There are certainly some adjustments that must be made by a player with large feet (most, by the way, are defenders). A major one is in the way they strike the ball, since they can’t hit it completely on the laces. However, bigger feet can provide an advantage in poking the ball away from an opposing player. Steve Holt Athens, Tenn. I hear commentators on TV talk about players passing or not passing a “fitness test” before games. What is that and why do they take it? Duncan Irving: It’s not something cast in stone, but a fitness test is usually when a player sustains a knock and the trainer will monitor the player’s progress. Manager, coach, trainer and player usually confer and the consensus is what goes. Ed Barnes Fort Worth, Texas I read with interest a recent feature about a young referee. In the article, Project-5 was mentioned. This is a program that is designed to identify the five best young referees in the country, and work with them to develop into better refs. When exactly will this program take effect? How are the young referees going to be identified — how will MLS find these folks? What ages are they looking at — is 25 too old for this program, or are they looking at early 20s? More information about this program would be great. Mike Woitalla: The program is in the planning stages and Soccer America will keep you up to date. If you are interested in it for yourself, contact the MLS office at 212-450-1200. Marilyn Childress Atlanta In your last Q&A session (July 29), you answered a young lady’s question about how to be seen for trying out for the national women’s team. You left out one area that is open to everyone, which is the Amateur Division Select Program. Many women get their first look by the national team coaches as well as another chance to show their skills, even if they have been seen before. Both Tony and Lauren have expressed how important this program is for the development of the national neam. So please remember that there is more than just the USWISL — there are amateur state associations as well. Thanks. Dean Caparaz: Thanks, Marilyn, for sending in that information.