Praise is being heaped on U.S. national team head coach Bruce Arena for his pronouncement that a player must be performing well at his club to register on the coach’s radar screen. This outlook brings the U.S. up to speed with the rest of the world, and should sharpen play in MLS. For the past three years, players could stink it up in MLS or in Europe, yet still be assured of a national team spot. No longer. But before one dumps on predecessor Steve Sampson for not adopting a similar philosophy, consider this: He had virtually no other options. Most of the national team regulars knew they’d be picked, and probably start, regardless of their MLS performance. When Sampson tried to introduce younger players during U.S. Cup ’97 and a trip to China, the U.S. lost four of five. His jettisoning of veterans at France ’98 torpedoed the team. In qualifying games, the stakes were too high and the player pool too shallow for Sampson not to count on players like Eric Wynalda, whose MLS form yo-yoed between brilliant and banal. If they performed capably for the U.S., they usually kept their spots, no matter how miserable their club showings. MLS bestowed upon its national team stars a marquee value that in many cases far exceeded their actual abilities. Too many players strolled through too many games with the assurance their places — and paychecks — were secure. This will change. Sampson made his share of mistakes, but he couldn’t upgrade MLS. The ’99 MLS season is sure to be the most competitive, allowing Arena to spend far less time than did Sampson sharpening his players’ form and psyche. FANS, LET’S HEAR YOUR VIEW! Is there, finally, real competition for national team spots? Will Bruce Arena’s “in-form players only” policy sharpen league play and create real competition for national team spots? Is MLS much better than it was two years ago? Will the stars show their stuff, or continue to draw paychecks at a half-jog? Does Bruce have it that much better than Steve Sampson? Click here to log onto (Soccer) American Graffiti. Then click on the topic entitled “Your View: The fittest, and toughest, will survive” and respond to Ridge in 200 words or less. Don’t hold back! The best responses may be reprinted in a future issue of SA, and If YOUR view is selected, we’ll send you a cool t-shirt and pin. Because You’re FANATIC.