U.S. Soccer Secretary General Hank Steinbrecher will step down from his position after more than nine years of guiding the Federation. "After watching him serve the U.S. Soccer Federation through tremendous growth and prosperity over the last nine years, Hank informed me of his decision to step down last week," said U.S. Soccer President Dr. S. Robert Contiguglia. "Hank's values, energy, passion and commitment to the sport of soccer in his time at the Federation has been a crucial element in the sport's rise to prominence in the 1990s. He is also a great friend. A search for his successor …

USA-Peru (1-0) Brad Friedel (7). Solid positionally throughout and spectacular on two occasions in the second half. A short-side reflex stop on Ysrael Zuniga's 10-yard bid and a full extension one-hander on Abel Lobaton's low drive preserved the victory. Carlos Llamosa (5). The least visible player on the team was stable and gritty. No standout plays nor any glaring errors. Took care of business but added little if any support to the attack. Eddie Pope (6). Won every aerial joust, kept the defense organized and did not turn the ball over. Looked fragile, however, limping away from several tackles …

USA-COLOMBIA (2-2; 1-2 on PKs) Brad Friedel (5). No chance on first goal. The second was surrendered at the near post, but was an absolute bomb. Well-beaten yet saved by the woodwork on two other occasions. Stopped one PK and got his hand on another. Eddie Pope (5). Often isolated on his side while the U.S. was playing with three in the back, and sometimes crossed signals with C.J. Brown when the U.S. went to a 4-4-2. Struggled to match the Colombians' speed over short distances. Robin Fraser (5). Started shakily by giving the ball to Faustino Asprilla twice in …

I'll take Bruce Arena at his word when he says he hasn't lost any sleep over the U.S. elimination from the Gold Cup in the quarterfinals, but I have to say that the road to the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan seems much harder than it was a week earlier. On the U.S. front, no news is bad news. During Arena's 16-month tenure as U.S. national team coach, he has always brought together a different group of players, and everything worked out. Until now. Yes, the United States extended its record of having won every first-round game …

Elimination deprived the U.S. of valuable experience MIAMI - The new-look U.S. no longer is a new commodity. Its success in the first full year of Coach Bruce Arena's reign brought attention and scrutiny, and opponents once again regard the U.S. seriously. Arena's second competitive tournament at this level brought none of the success the Americans enjoyed in the Confederations Cup last summer. A longer run in the Gold Cup had been expected, and with more games there might have come more answers and solutions to the issues facing Arena less than six months prior to the start of World …

Civic Stadium in Portland, Ore., will play host to the United States, Mexico, Canada and South Korea in the Nike U.S. Women's Cup in May. The USA, which has won all six previous U.S. Cups, takes on Mexico while Canada plays South Korea on May 5. The two winners will play in the final on May 7 at 11:30 am PT in a match televised live by ESPN2. A third-place match will follow at 2 p.m. PT. Natural grass will once again be put down at Civic Stadium, which played host to four matches in the 1999 Women's World Cup …

English soccer legend Stanley Matthews died Feb. 23 at age 85. As a tribute, Soccer America presents the following article by SA columnist Paul Gardner. The column appeared in the Sept. 27, 1990 issue of Soccer America. It is also a part of GardnerÆs latest book, ôSoccerTalk, Life Under The Spell of the Round Ball.ö Memories of a Boyhood Idol LONDON -- Are childhood heroes to be trusted? Sadly, I suppose not. Leave them alone, let them be, glowing warmly in some distant past that never was, bigger then they ever were, nobler than they ever could have been. You …

When Bruce Murray's U.S. career ended in 1993, he held the all- time record for caps (93) and goals (21). Soccer America tracked down Murray, 34, a veteran of the 1988 Olympics and 1990 World Cup, at his home near Atlanta. SOCCER AMERICA: Did you know that Soccer America named you to its College Team of the 1900s? BRUCE MURRAY: Yes, I did. I've been getting a hard time about the photo. Can you choose a better one for this? SA: Sure. ... So what are you doing? BM: I'm actually back in soccer! I've got …

For the veterans, preseason is simply about getting in shape for the real season. For many others, like the four players Soccer America followed in Florida, it's about realizing the dream of being a professional athlete. Getting A-League lessons JOHN WILSON. A year later, John Wilson is able to say that being released by Kansas City was the best thing that could have happened to him. At the time, however, less than three weeks after being the 14th pick in the college draft, it didn't feel that way. "It's tough because you come out of college and you're so excited …

WUSA's John Hendricks announces investors and other details, but he leaves plenty out The unveiling of what might become the professional league for which America's best female players have long lobbied answered some weighty questions. It left plenty more unanswered. Billionaire John S. Hendricks, who backed one previous attempt to start a pro women's league, on Feb. 15 identified his fellow investors in the Women's United Soccer Association, announced that every member of the Women's World Cup-winning U.S. team was on board and provided a few glimpses into his plan to start play in April 2001. The choicest details:

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USA-HAITI (3-0) Brad Friedel (6). Not seriously tested, but not inactive, either. Reacted sharply to block, if not catch, several hard shots from sharp angles, and unwittingly flattened C.J. Brown while cutting out a ball driven into the box. C.J. Brown (5). Outrun at times in the first half as Haiti countered forcefully. Distribution, one of his weak points, was better. Stopped one breakaway with a clean tackle on Wilson Chevalier inside the penalty area. Hit a very weak shot at goal when well-placed. Robin Fraser (5). Marred an otherwise solid game with a second-half giveaway …

Mike Sorber, the 1994 World Cup veteran, was waived by the MetroStars Feb. 21. Sorber, 28, who has 67 U.S. caps, last played for the United States in 1998. The midfielder played in every 1994 World Cup game for the United States and subsequently played for UNAM Pumas in the Mexican First Division. He started his MLS career in the league's inaugural season (1996) with Kansas City before moving to the MetroStars in 1997. He has played in 97 regular season games and seven playoff games in MLS. Also waived by the MetroStars were midfielder Lawrence Lozzano and Jake Dancy.

The Gold Cup 2000 Schedule and Results: GROUP A Date Feb. 12 Colombia 1 Jamaica 0 Feb. 14 Jamaica 0 Honduras 2 Feb. 16 Honduras 2 Colombia 0 GROUP B Date Feb. 12 USA 3 Haiti 0 Feb. 14 Haiti 1 Peru 1 Feb. 16 USA 1 Peru 0 GROUP C Date Feb. 13 Mexico 4 Trin. & Tobago 0 Feb. 15 Trin. & Tobago 4 Guatemala 2 Feb. 17 Mexico 1 Guatemala 1 GROUP D Date Feb. 13 Costa Rica 2 Canada 2 Feb. 15 South Korea 0 Canada 0 Feb. 17 South …

During the 1996 Olympics, 83,810 fans watched the United States play Argentina in Birmingham, Ala. So impressed was U.S. Soccer with the rare pro-U.S. support that officials immediately inquired about using the venue for World Cup qualifying. Finally, a place to play Mexico that won't feel like Guadalajara. That dream lasted 24 hours, because when Italy played Mexico at Legion Field the next day, some 30,000 Mexican-Americans arrived by carloads from Georgia. The 1994 World Cup, 1996 Olympics and qualifying for France '98 revealed that the U.S. men could draw large home support. But usually, big crowds …

Colombia beat the USA, 2-1, in the penalty-kick tiebreaker after the teams played to a 2-2 tie in their Gold Cup quarterfinal match Feb. 19 in Miami. In the semifinal Feb. 23 at Qualcomm Stadium (8 pm PT), Colombia faces the winner of the Honduras-Peru quarterfinal. The USA drew first blood in the Orange Bowl clash. Brian McBrideÆs 20th minute goal, on a header, was equalized by ColombiaÆs Faustino Asprilla (23rd minute) and the teams were tied, 1-1, at halftime. Chris Armas gave the USA a 2-1 lead in the 51st minute. Colombia equalized for the second time on a …