“The press have made losing a crime. Let’s work on the basis that we … want to win and none of us want to lose. But unfortunately … the press label us criminals. So what do we do? We make sure we don’t lose. And how do we do that? By playing safe. If I’m a suspected robber and I know the police are looking for me, I don’t go creeping around at midnight with a sack on my back. I’ve got less chance of being picked up if I stay indoors and take it nice and easy.” ù Roy Hodgson (World Soccer) I don’t foresee a glittering future for English coach Roy Hodgson as a master criminal. But he is adept at indulging in a pastime that’s become prevalent in the 1990s: Blame the media. Yes, they can be demanding. Yes, they would like to see a team succeed ù if only for their own ends. And no, their perfect “on paper” lineups seldom see the light of day. But they are not responsible for the end product, the stuff we see on the field. In certain countries ù Brazil, England and Italy ù they can be difficult, looking for stories about stories, and if there isn’t one there, making one up. But what I find amusing is players and coaches in this country moaning about the media. The San Jose Clash get a little attention about the firing of Laurie Calloway, and they’re up in arms about a witch hunt. On this occasion, we couldn’t have made them play any worse, though. The U.S. national team gets heated up about the media pressure they’re under before facing Canada. Canada ù read that again with a straight face, I dare you. For years, the soccer community has been crying out for press coverage. When they get it, they don’t always like it. At least these days, it’s not just the annual column of soccer-bashing one-liners. And is there really such a thing as bad publicity? by Soccer America Senior Editor Duncan Irving