Sampson still feels criticism unfair

SEOUL, South Korea -- Steve Sampson isn't bitter. He just doesn't think he was the cause of the U.S. downfall at the 1998 World Cup.

Four years after advancing to the second round, the Sampson-coached Americans lost to Germany, Iran and Yugoslavia and finished last among the 32 nations. Veterans on the team whined that Sampson pushed them aside, and the team faded amid the squabbling.

It was a step back for the fledgling U.S. soccer program, and Sampson quit four days after his team's final game in France.

"I think it (criticism of his coaching) was completely unfair. Many members of the media got caught up in the emotion of the situation and didn't stop to analyze why," Sampson said. "Instead of hitting the post four, five times against Iran, we can score two, three goals, all of the off-the-field doesn't become an issue."

The U.S. team hoped for a different experience this year going into Wednesday's opener against Portugal in Suwon. Players repeatedly have referred to learning from 1998, ensuring they would remain cohesive.

"Hopefully, the lessons of France '98 translate into professional behavior this time," Sampson said. "The only thing I should have done differently is not bring players to France who were not completely healthy. A veteran player has every expectation of playing."

Sampson, the former coach at Santa Clara, was an assistant to Bora Milutinovic on the U.S. team and took over when his boss quit in 1995. His decision to let players move forward, combined with his ability to speak English, was refreshing following Milutinovic's conservative style and obtuse explanations. Following a string of wins, including an upset of Argentina, the U.S. Soccer Federation gave him the job permanently.

The U.S. team started to break up even before the World Cup, when he decided to cut captain John Harkes. Players complained when he switched prior to the tournament to a formation that called for three defenders, six midfielders and one forward.

"They didn't see it when I put five or six in the midfield defense against Germany," he said. "Now, it's common practice to put five, six in the midfield. Then, it was misunderstood. When we played against Germany and sometimes attacked with four forwards, no one recorded that. All they recorded was when we didn't have the ball, we had only one forward, which is now done in a lot of Europe."

The 2-0 loss to Germany in the World Cup opener wasn't shocking. But the Americans expected to dominate Iran and instead lost 2-1 as Brian McBride (twice), Claudio Reyna and David Regis all hit the crossbar or goalpost.

That loss led to Sampson's coaching retirement. He became technical director of the California Youth Soccer Association in January 1999 and in March 2000 turned down an offer to become Costa Rica's coach.

"The timing wasn't right for the family," he said. "It was perfect for me to get back in the saddle. They sacrificed for me and I had to sacrifice for them."

He's at the World Cup as a color commentator for the Futbol de Primera radio network, working alongside Andres Cantor. He's interested in coaching a national team or club, perhaps in Latin America, but for now is content to opine on the air.

As an analyst, he's quick with his views. He thinks Reyna, tired of transatlantic travel, will retire from the U.S. national team after the tournament. He thinks Joe-Max Moore deserves more credit for tiring defenders so his front-line partners can score.

And he thinks the United States will achieve its goal of reaching the second round.

"My prediction is we're going to surprise the Portuguese and we're going to tie them," he said. "The crucial match is the match against South Korea. I think we can win that match -- and that it will be a tie as well."

He expects a win over Poland and a second-round matchup with Italy or Croatia.

"Against either one of those teams, I would not expect us to win," he said. "We are still in a period of transition in the United States. We have gotten in the last 15 years to the point when we are now competitive with anybody in the world. That doesn't mean we're good enough to beat the best in the world."

Before it became known that Reyna and Clint Mathis had injuries, Sampson said his lineup against Portugal would have Kasey Keller in goal if healthy; Frankie Hejduk, Eddie Pope, Jeff Agoos and Tony Sanneh on the backline; John O'Brien, Reyna, Cobi Jones and Earnie Stewart in the midfield; and Mathis and McBride up front.

He said current coach Bruce Arena shouldn't choose beforehand to split the first two games between Keller and Brad Friedel.

"I think it's crazy to decide the rotation because you back yourself into a corner if the goalkeeper who starts the first game has a great game," Sampson said.

He is proud of his contributions to the program, proud the U.S. team stopped defense-dominated play. "I took the risk," he said.

But his tenure is still known for the debacle of 1998.

"Hopefully," he said, "people will remember the performance of the team from after the 1994 World Cup to just before we left for France as a period of growth."