Steve Sampson resigned today as national team coach of the United States, it was announced by the United States Soccer Federation. "We at the Federation thank Steve for his tremendous service to
our national team program and to soccer in the USA," said U.S. Soccer president Alan Rothenberg. "His tireless work has helped advance our sport and on balance it was an era of growth. I compliment
him on his many achievements with our team." U.S. Soccer will begin an immediate search for a successor and, in accordance with the procedures announced following the USA's final World Cup '98
match last week against Yugoslavia, it is hoped that a new coach will be named in the month following the tournament. Added Rothenberg, "We have a clean blackboard, so to speak, and we will mount a
thorough process for hiring a national team coach while at the same time ensuring that the proper personnel are put into place to manage our ambitious Project 2010 initiative, the need for which was
further underscored by our experience at France '98." The Federation also stated that no further comments will be made until a successor is named. Sampson was named coach of the USA on August 2,
1995, succeeding Bora Milutinovic. He had been interim coach since April 14, 1995. Sampson led the American team to a record of 26 wins, 22 losses and 14 ties. Included among the successes were a
semifinal appearance in the 1995 Copa America where the USA defeated Argentina, 3-0; a 1995 U.S. Cup title; an 8-2-6 record in CONCACAF qualification matches for World Cup '98; and a memorable 1-0
victory over Brazil in the 1998 Gold Cup.
