The Confederations Cup television fiasco is a stark reminder that U.S. Soccer is far more adept at coining slogans than it is at actually putting them into practice. “Turn Us On” proclaimed U.S. Soccer a few months ago. But turning on the U.S. men’s team to see its efforts at the Confederations Cup proved to be nearly impossible. The only home viewing option was a pay-per-view package that was arranged so late few cable systems offered it. ESPN and ESPN2 clear their schedules months in advance, and so the Federation’s own broadcast partners were shut out. FIFA holds broadcasting rights to its events through its marketing agency, ISL. Cutting deals in these situations is a tangled mess of rights and subsidiary rights and shadowy connections. It takes money, clout and guts. The Federation would have needed to commit more than $500,000 to secure the rights, and because of the kickoff times, would have had difficulty in clearing air time on ESPN. As usual, it hid behind its two classic defenses: The rights are “too” expensive, and without control of signboards, etc., selling advertising and sponsorships is tough sledding. The latter is certainly true. But it’s not impossible. U.S. Soccer was unwilling to put its money behind its team. If all else failed, it could have re-sold the rights for certain games to the pay-per-view outlets, and taken its losses on the U.S. matches. USA-Derby County was seen on the Fox Net system when ESPN and ESPN2 were booked in July. Had U.S. Soccer pressed FIFA and ISL to handle rights in the American market this winter, a broadcaster might have been found, and would it have sunk the Federation to be the title sponsor for its own national team? When soccer is secondary to signboards, something’s wrong. FANS, LET’S HEAR YOUR VIEW Click here to log onto (Soccer) American Graffiti. Then click on the topic titled “YOUR VIEW: Turned Off” and respond to Ridge Mahoney 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.