It’s always easy to stretch a point, but the fact is that the U.S. win over Germany may have saved American soccer. The 1999 season shaped up as a very difficult year for American soccer. Any prestige soccer had developed over the last decade in the American sporting community was lost by the dismal display, on and off the field, at France ’98. This is in many ways a make-or-break year for MLS. Owners insist that they are in for the long haul, but one has had to believe that they will be taking a hard look at things if they don’t get better in 1999. Attendance has been flat. Sponsor interest isn’t what it was three years ago. And the national media have yet to really embrace the sport. When there are many reasons to quit, there must be an overriding reason to hold the course. The U.S. win over Germany is one such reason. How can anyone think of quitting at a time like this? NASL owners left the key under the door, as the French would say, in early 1985, but what was there to encourage them to keep going? The U.S. win in Jacksonville, coupled with the very encouraging signs at the U-17 level, is evidence that a bright future lies ahead. U.S. national team coach Bruce Arena has always, better than most, put everything about American soccer in perspective. He was quick to point out that the win over Germany was a step in the right direction, not an end in itself. During his tenure at D.C. United, Arena would frequently talk of how lucky MLS was to have the commitment of its owners. If MLS’s big hitters — the Hunts, Anschutzes, Krafts, Kluges and Subotnicks — are to continue, American soccer should feel fortunate that it has been given the chance to achieve its destiny. FANS, LET’S HEAR YOUR VIEW! Did the U.S. win over Germany save American soccer? Click here to log onto (Soccer) American Graffiti. Then click on the topic entitled “Your View: American Soccer’s Good Fortune” and respond to Paul Kennedy in 200 words or less. Don’t hold back! The best responses may be reprinted in a future issue of SA, and If YOUR view is selected, we’ll send you a cool t-shirt and pin. Because You’re FANATIC.