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My View A glimpse at the glories of 2001
By Mike Woitalla, Soccer America Tired of punditry prognostication over periphery issues like the new president, interest-rate impact and electricity? You've come to the right place for a glimpse into what really matters: Soccer in 2001. Jan. 21. The Galaxy and D.C. United defeat Toluca and Pachuca at the CONCACAF Champions Cup, prompting a bidding war between Telemundo and Univision for MLS rights. April 7. MLS opens its sixth season in the wake of disclosing $250 million in losses. League investor Philip Anschutz, who's worth $15.5 billion according to Forbes and once gave $775 million of stock to charity, grants his first full-length interview since 1974. Quelling fears of league instability, he tells Soccer America, "I'll make MLS fly even if means spending 0.5 percent of my wealth." April 14. The WUSA kicks off. Sports editors across the nation whittle down NBA and baseball coverage to accommodate WUSA and MLS.
May 30. The Canadians are detained by Tokyo airport customs officials who can't believe they could possibly have qualified for the Confederations Cup. FIFA replaces the missing Canadians with the United States, which beats Mexico in an all-CONCACAF final. July 7. United States wins U-20 World Cup. Sept. 30. United States wins U-17 World Cup. European clubs file complaints with FIFA after MLS signs all the tourney's good players. Oct. 21. President Bush, who takes to D.C. United like Nixon embraced the Redskins, celebrates the club's fourth MLS Cup title and forms fan club: "Uniters for United." Player-coach Jeff Agoos becomes regular White House guest. Nov. 10 or 11. World Cup qualifying hinges on a win in Trinidad, so coach Bruce Arena calls in Paul Caligiuri, who scores on a long-range shot in the 31st minute. Tony Meola makes several good saves to preserve the 1-0 lead. Dec. 25. MLS announces windfall profits, prompting expansion to 18 teams and cross-country stadium construction. In his second interview since 1974, Anschutz says: "And I thought fiber-optics were fun." Mike Woitalla is executive editor at Soccer America magazine.
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