The Dallas Burn has signed former Swiss international midfielder Alain Sutter, the club announced April 21.
“This is great news for the Dallas Burn, all of our fans, and for soccer fans across the country,” said Dallas GM Billy Hicks.
The 29-year-old Sutter has been capped 63 times for his country, and played in three of Switzerland’s four matches at the 1994 World Cup in the U.S., missing the team’s 3-0 loss to Spain with a broken toe.
“It’s not often a player of this caliber comes to the league,” said Dallas coach Dave Dir. “We are very fortunate to get a player of Alain’s stature. His goal-scoring ability alone should bring a lot of excitement to the Cotton Bowl.”
Sutter has played professionally in Germany with Bayern Munich, Nuremburg, and most recently SC Freiburg. He is expected to join the club for its May 4 game against defending MLS champion D.C. United.
“Coming to play in MLS and the United States is a big adventure for me,” Sutter said. “My intention and hope is that my experience helps elevate the league to even higher levels. I feel it is important that I am in the prime of my career and playing great soccer, so I am ready to make a big contribution to the Dallas Burn.”
Columbus awarded future national team games
Pending May 6 approval of a three-year 1/2 cent sales tax issue for a new soccer stadium/arena complex, the USSF awarded eight U.S. national and Olympic team games to the city of Columbus, USSF president Alan Rothenberg announced today.
Starting in the year 2000, and contingent on the new stadium, U.S. Soccer would provide Columbus with the opportunity to host the U.S. men’s and women’s national team in World Cup qualifiers, Olympic qualifiers, or international friendies twice a year for four years.
“The commitment Crew fans have demonstrated to soccer fans around the country has aided our unprecedented decision to award eight games to the capital of the state of Ohio,” said Rothenberg. “THis is a contingent reward to the community for taking the leadership and initiative to design a soccer-specific stadium.”