In March of 1996, on the eve of MLS’s inaugural season, the editors of Soccer America offered their predictions for the new league. I forecast that losing coaches would be saying, “Don’t blame me, Sunil picked the players.” You can look up the predictions I got wrong on your own, but complaining about deputy commissioner Sunil Gulati’s power has become as common as laments about the referees. While increased autonomy for the clubs may be suitable for the league in the future, blaming teams’ failures on the current league structure is simply a convenient way of shirking responsibility. Look closely at this season’s most successful team so far, the L.A. Galaxy. Only four of its mainstay players were league allocations, and that includes Carlos Hermosillo, the Mexican star who would only join the league if he could play in Southern California and who has been a minor contributor to the team’s success. Welton, who has scored 18 goals, was discarded by New England, a team whose foreign allocations this year were hand-picked by ill-fated coach Thomas Rongen. Ezra Hendrickson, a hero of the Galaxy’s comeback win in Game 2 over Dallas, was cut by the MetroStars. Clint Mathis, who hit the winner in that game and is a rookie of the year candidate, was passed over by five teams in the college draft. Stellar youngsters like Kevin Hartman, Steve Jolley, Greg Vanney and Joey Franchino were drafted after other teams passed on them. In fact, a close look at the league reveals that the successful teams have coaches with an eye for young American talent, and ability to meld it with the so-called stars. That will always be the case, even if some day teams can do all their own shopping. FANS: LET’S HEAR YOUR VIEW Has Major League Soccer conspired to help the L.A. Galaxy win? Or did the Galaxy have the same shot at impact players as less successful teams? Soccer America Senior Editor Mike Woitalla thinks the Galaxy coaches simply did a better job of spotting talent and melding it with star players. What do you think? Are teams and fans who blame Sunil Gulati just whining? Click here to log onto (Soccer) American Graffiti. Then click on the topic entitled “Your View: Where credit, or blame” and respond to Mike in 200 words or less. Don’t hold nothin’ back! Best responses may be reprinted in Soccer America Magazine. If YOUR View is selected, we’ll send you a cool t-shirt and pin… Because You’re FANATIC.