American soccer has tended to look to Germany and England for answers, but it can learn a lot from FranceÆs World Cup success. Probably the most important lesson is that World Cup success wonÆt come in a matter of a decade, as U.S. Soccer hopes with its 2010 plan. The French federation (FFF) didnÆt exactly have a plan, but the origins of the French success can be traced back 30 years. Unable to attract top athletes, France was, by the late Æ60s, falling farther and farther behind its European neighbors. The short-term keys to the turnaround: strong leadership — the late Fernand Sastre will be best remembered as much for his work at the FFF in the Æ70s — and the creation of full-time youth programs at the club level. The centres de formation were so expensive they would been hard to justify in the long term if they didn’t produce immediate results with the great St. Etienne team of the mid-70s. Youth programs can raise the player standard considerably, but they wonÆt necessarily produce the stars. Case in point: FranceÆs great stars of the Æ80s. Michel Platini was at first rejected for being a ôpoor athlete.ö Alain Giresse was too small. Jean Tigana worked as a postman until he was discovered playing on a semipro team. The advantage the Æ98 French team had over the great teams of the Æ80s was that almost all the key players played on major clubs abroad, thanks to the Bosman ruling. At the point in time American players are starring on major teams, the United States can legitimately challenge for the World Cup. Like the U.S. game, French soccer thrives in immigrant communities. Eighteen percent of all the players in the French First Division are of African origin. When France defends its title in 2002, a majority of the team is expected to consist of immigrants and the sons of immigrants. FANS: LET’S HEAR YOUR VIEW Is there a lesson to be learned from France’s success? Click here to log onto (Soccer) American Graffiti. Then click on the topic entitled “Your View: A French Lesson” and respond to Paul Kennedy in 200 words or less. Don’t hold nothin’ back! Best responses will 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.