A-League Western Conference Pacific GP W L GF GA P Seattle 11 7 4 14 9 19 California 7 5 2 15 7 15 Colorado 8 5 3 20 15 15 Orange Cty. 6 2 4 7 12 6 El Paso 10 3 7 8 16 5 Central GP W L GF GA P Atlanta 6 4 2 8 2 10 Orlando 8 3 5 8 14 9 Milwaukee 7 3 4 7 9 7 Nashville 6 3 3 2 5 5 New Orleans 7 2 5 4 14 4 Minnesota 7 1 6 4 6 3 …

Results

• Los Angeles 1 Kansas City 3

Standings EASTERN GP W L P GF GA D.C. United 11 8 3 20 23 13 New England 11 7 4 17 13 15 Columbus 12 6 6 14 17 16 Tampa Bay 10 5 5 13 16 17 MetroStars 12 5 7 13 13 17 Shootout records: Tampa Bay 1-0, Columbus 2-1, New England 2-1, MetroStars 1-1, D.C. United 2-3. WESTERN GP W L P GF GA Kansas City 10 6 4 16 18 14 Dallas 11 7 4 15 18 14 Colorado …

May 31 in New Britain, Conn. USA 4 Canada 0. Goals: Milbrett 40, Hamm 58, 65, 74. USA -- Scurry (Ducar, 46), Staples (Baumgardt, 56), Chastain, L.Fair, Whalen, Pearce (Parlow, 58), Venturini (Schwoy, 56), Foudy, Lilly, Milbrett (Keller, 63), Hamm. Canada -- Wright, Neil, Maglio (O'Brien, 65), Wood, Muir, Franck, Donnelly, Smith, Slaymaker (O'Neil, 65), Morneau, Burtini (Rosenow, 46). Yellow card: Canada -- Maglio 52. Referee: Richard Eddy. Att.: 6,562. May 31 in Salem, N.H. Italy 3 (Panico 33, Carta 44, 75) Australia 0. Half: 2-0. Att.: n/a. Standings Team GP W T L GF GA P …

Robert Weiss Grand Junction, Colo. What exactly does Paul Gardner mean when he repeatedly insists that "MLS needs a successful franchise in New York"? It seems to be an argument that MLS should rig the league to ensure that the MetroStars are one of the top teams! As a native New Yorker (and a Colorado Rapids supporter), I am well aware of the deluded arrogance of those who think the world ends somewhere around Montclair, N.J. But any argument that New York and Los Angeles NEED to be successful for MLS to have a future are bogus. Stillitano's mistakes last …

College coaches declared 1997 a banner year in Region IV recruiting as the depth and strength of the class had many calling it the best in many years. "I think you'll see three or four in this group represent the U.S. in World Cup qualifying at some point," said UCLA coach Sigi Schmid, who once again came away with the lion's share of the haul. "It's that strong a group. Six or seven have a shot at the U-20 [national] team." Schmid found replacements for departed All-American defender Tahj Jakins, the first pick in the MLS collegiate draft and now …

Results

• New England 3 MetroStars 1

Standings EASTERN GP W L P GF GA D.C. United 11 8 3 20 23 13 New England 11 7 4 17 13 15 Columbus 12 6 6 14 17 16 Tampa Bay 10 5 5 13 16 17 MetroStars 12 5 7 13 13 17 Shootout records: Tampa Bay 1-0, Columbus 2-1, New England 2-1, MetroStars 1-1, D.C. United 2-3. WESTERN GP W L P GF GA Dallas 11 7 4 15 18 14 Kansas City 9 5 4 13 15 13 Colorado 11 …

The 1997 season will be a new era at NCAA semifinalist Santa Clara and runner-up Notre Dame, which both lose key players from their 1996 final four campaigns. Gone are the likes of Jen Lalor and Mikka Hansen from Santa Clara, and Jen Renola and Cindy Daws from Notre Dame. But three out of the four semifinalists -- including Portland -- did well recruiting out West. All three have restocked themselves with enough young blood to put them back in the next final four. Like last year, the Broncos have more than one player on the list, with two. Portland …

Results

• Columbus 2 D.C. United 3

Standings EASTERN GP W L P GF GA D.C. United 11 8 3 20 23 13 New England 10 6 4 14 10 14 Columbus 12 6 6 14 17 16 Tampa Bay 10 5 5 13 16 17 MetroStars 11 5 6 13 12 14 Shootout records: Tampa Bay 1-0, Columbus 2-1, New England 2-1, MetroStars 1-1, D.C. United 2-3. WESTERN GP W L P GF GA Dallas 11 7 4 15 18 14 Kansas City 9 5 4 13 15 13 Colorado 11 …

USA U-20 boys The U.S. under-20 boys team, preparing for the World Youth Championship in Malaysia, lost to the Czech Republic 1-0 and tied Scotland 1-1 in its first two games at the Toulon Festival, now called the Umbro Cup. South Carolina sophomore Josh Wolff had the U.S. goal against Scotland. USA U-16 boys The U.S. under-16 boys team finished fourth at the Salerno Cup in Italy. The performance was impressive considering the U.S. boys were playing against U-17 national teams. Chase Hilgenbrinck was named the tournament's top defender.

May 29 in Neza Toros Neza 1 Guadalajara 1 (Second leg to be played June 1 in Guadalajara.)

Paraguay, which has opened up a commanding six-point lead in the nine-team South American World Cup qualifying group, will bring just about a full squad to the United States for exhibitions against the United States June 4 in Fenton, Mo., and Guatemala in Los Angeles two days later. Included in the roster is controversial goalie Jose Luis Chilavert, who is currently serving a four-game ban from World Cup qualifying that does not affect his participation in friendly games. Paraguay's Brazilian coach, Paulo Cesar Carpegiani, will use the trip as the team's final test before the Copa America in Bolivia. Paraguay …

League news and notes Columbus released Argentine forward Silvio Rudman and placed rookie forward Rob Jachym on waivers. Brian McBride was placed on injured reserve for another week and is expected to return to the Crew lineup on June 7 in Tampa, the same night that Thomas Dooley is expected to make his MLS debut.... The MetroStars will play Italian Serie A power Sampdoria at Giants Stadium on June 7. For ticket information, fans can call 1-888-4METROTIX.... D.C. United will most likely be without injured starters Ben Iroha and Raul Diaz Arce for the May 29 game in Columbus, but …

Features Soccer America Q&A: Bruce Arena Interview by Steven Goff Ernie Stewart: Living Between Two Worlds By Jaap De Groot Chad Deering Chases Promotion Interview by Duncan Irving Stokoe Wants the Wolves On the Same Page By Poul Swain The Old Lady Reigns Again In Italy At Last Kaiser Franz Can Enjoy His Kingdom Stevens' laptop makes a difference Columns Soccer Talk -- Putting the kibosh on scoring By Paul Gardner Short Passes By Lynn Berling-Manuel Departments

• Up Front
• MLS Scoreboard
• World Cup '98
• MLS Scene
• MLS Weekly Report
• U-17 World Championship Draw
• American Scoreboard
• Around the Country
• Youth …

Features Soccer America Q&A: Bruce Arena Interview by Steven Goff Ernie Stewart: Living Between Two Worlds By Jaap De Groot Chad Deering Chases Promotion Interview by Duncan Irving Stokoe Wants the Wolves On the Same Page By Poul Swain The Old Lady Reigns Again In Italy At Last Kaiser Franz Can Enjoy His Kingdom Stevens' laptop makes a difference Columns Soccer Talk -- Putting the kibosh on scoring By Paul Gardner Short Passes By Lynn Berling-Manuel Departments

• Up Front
• MLS Scoreboard
• World Cup '98
• MLS Scene
• MLS Weekly Report
• U-17 World Championship Draw
• American Scoreboard
• Around the Country
• Youth …

Features Soccer America Q&A: Bruce Arena Interview by Steven Goff Ernie Stewart: Living Between Two Worlds By Jaap De Groot Chad Deering Chases Promotion Interview by Duncan Irving Stokoe Wants the Wolves On the Same Page By Poul Swain The Old Lady Reigns Again In Italy At Last Kaiser Franz Can Enjoy His Kingdom Stevens' laptop makes a difference Columns Soccer Talk -- Putting the kibosh on scoring By Paul Gardner Short Passes By Lynn Berling-Manuel Departments

• Up Front
• MLS Scoreboard
• World Cup '98
• MLS Scene
• MLS Weekly Report
• U-17 World Championship Draw
• American Scoreboard
• Around the Country
• Youth …