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Sampson wants European respect
U.S. coach ready to prove America's soccer worth
Posted: Thursday June 11, 1998 10:38 AM
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Sampson thinks the South American teams respect the U.S., but the European squads do not (AP) |
SAINT-JEAN D'ARDIERES, France (AP) -- Four days before his team's World Cup opener, U.S. coach Steve Sampson ripped into his German counterpart for not respecting the Americans.
"When Berti Vogts walks out 20 minutes before the end of the Belgium match, that shows a lack of respect for the United States team," Sampson said Thursday. "In Europe, they have no respect for the United States. Frankly, we haven't earned it."
Sampson, who was referring to the Americans' 3-0 loss at Brussels on February 25, is openly using the respect issue to motivate his players going into Monday's game in Paris.
"When TV and radio commentators talk about how weak the CONCACAF region is, that they don't expect the United States or Mexico or Jamaica to advance, it's pretty clear they don't respect us," he said.
Then he turned his attention on Italy coach Cesare Maldini.
"Coach Maldini talks about how Jamaica makes the World Cup while Italy has to struggle through qualifying, that's a lack of respect," Sampson said.
Sampson said the lack of respect filters down to the soccer clubs U.S. players join, and how all the Americans who've play abroad endure extra burdens.
"When an American player comes to Europe, they have to do something special to earn a starting job," Sampson said.
Sampson said February's 1-0 victory over Brazil in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 3-0 win over Argentina in the 1995 South American championship had earned U.S. soccer respect in Latin America. He's told his players they most prove their talent to Europe during this tournament.
Up until now, the United States is just 10-29-5 in europe against European opponents and has been outscored 123-42. In their last 10, the Americans are 2-7-1, beating Iceland 1-0 in 1993 and Austria 3-0 on April 22.
"A lot of people will be looking to the Germany match, our ability to hold the ball against the Germans, our ability to play an interesting, sophisticated style, our ability to close down against the Germans," he said. "We have a great opportunity to prove how far we've progressed. The best way to do that is against great opposition."
A day earlier, midfielder Preki Radosavljevic said much the same about Germany.
"If I could sense any weakness, they may be overconfident," Radosavljevic said. "That could be our chance.
"They say in the papers they do, but deep down they don't respect us at all. They think we have a long way to go. I think they'll take us seriously, but I don't think they respect us."
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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