It’s the year after the World Cup. The United States has a new coach. It pulls off a couple of impressive exhibition wins. Then, at a major tournament, it beats a former world champion to qualify for the second round. In the semifinals, it loses a hard-fought 1-0 game. That’s the United States under Bruce Arena in 1999. It was also the United States under Steve Sampson in 1995. Sampson took over for Bora Milutinovic and guided the United States to wins over Mexico and Nigeria before beating Argentina at the Copa America and then losing, 1-0, to Brazil in the semifinals. Here’s what players said about Sampson at that time: “He relates to every player and retains respect … the players are able to be themselves … He makes us relax real good … The atmosphere is so good on this team … Sampson laughs with us.” Here’s what the players are saying about Arena: “He has jokes with [the players] … He lets us be the people that we are … It’s a great, exciting atmosphere … ” During the glorious honeymoon periods of both coaches, players raved about training sessions more enjoyable than under the predecessor. They lauded their new coaches for the “freedom” they granted. Arena, like Sampson, spread playing time around the squad at the Confederations Cup as Sampson did in the 1995 Copa America. But there is a major difference between the two. Sampson’s early success came with veterans from the old coach. He wasn’t able to incorporate a new generation of players into the team — players who could have held it together when the old guard started spewing the venom — even after two years on the job. Arena isn’t waiting until World Cup play to make new players part of the team. He has given them roles in his honeymoon success. That’s good long-term planning. FANS, LET’S HEAR YOUR VIEW Click here to log onto (Soccer) American Graffiti. Then click on the topic titled “YOUR VIEW: Honeymoon deja vu” and respond to Mike Woitalla in 200 words or less. 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.