Steve Goff, The Post's beat writer for D.C. United, was on Wednesday, June 7, to talk about Raul Diaz-Arce's return to the United and field questions on the United's progress at the midway point of the season.

Columbia, Md.: After a couple of years of MLS progress, it seems the league has reached a stagnant performance level. In my opinion, in order for soccer to have any success in this country we need to be able to play a high level of soccer in this league. Although, most recently even a RFK National Team game (vs South Africa) only drew 16,000 people. Do you feel that even if the MLS raises its level of play that the league will be able to succeed.

Steve Goff: The league definitely needs to improve the level play each year. This season, for instance, I believe is much better in terms of quality than, say, three years ago.

Washington, D.C.: If United are purchased, do you think that Payne and Rongen will survive the changeover? Payne seems to put himself in a bit of a bind by having chosen his "good buddy" Rongen as coach. Not to beat a dead horse, but at one point in 1998 when United had been missing tons of starters and had lost something like 3 out of their last 5 games, Arena claimed he was "lucky to still have a job." Where have those standards gone?

Steve Goff: I don't believe much will change when the team's operating rights are finally sold. The company that plans to purchase the team is strictly doing it as part of its investment plans and doesn't have a great interest in the team itself (from what I understand). Rongen's job seems safe for now, but if the team somehow misses the playoffs, perhaps he will have a tough time keeping it for next season. Times have changed, and I think Payne realizes that. United is not nearly as strong as years past, and the rest of the league is much better. True parity has arrived.

Centreville, Va.: Steve,
Why are the upper level seats at RFK empty for DC United games? I understand that ticket sales are limited etc. Thats not what I mean. Why don't they use them to generate community interest? I went to World Cup games and sat up there. The view is excellent.
Have they considered giving blocks of tickets to community groups to sell as fund raisers, distribute at highly discounted prices or just distributed free to stimulate interest? Surely there is some time honored business truism that people will come and have a good time and return again and again. They should use those seats as a form of advertisement or product sample. Your thoughts?

Steve Goff: I don't think there's enough interest in the team at this time to justify opening the upper sections. You're right; the view is fabulous. But even if tickets were sold/given within the community, I don't think there would be enough fans to fill the lower bowl---which the club prefers to do before opening the upper deck. (looks better on tv, security concentrated in lower levels, etc.)

Calgary, Alberta: I really haven't been paying attention to D.C. United this year, living so far away at the moment. But, what impact has the return of Raul Diaz-Arce had on the Salvadoran community returning to RFK?

Steve Goff: There has been one home game since Diaz Arce arrived, and the crowd was about 18,000. Without him, the turnout on a holiday weekend in the rain would've been several thousand fewer. The Salvadoran community seems happy that he has returned, but it may take a few weeks before the club sees a steady flow of returning fans.

Vienna, Va.: I've noticed that referees are carding more for protesting and brawl-beating officials. Ditto fines from MLS. This is good, I say. More adherence to international rules are necessary if MLS wants to be taken seriously, don't you think?

Steve Goff: Yes, cards can be used effectively to cut down verbal attacks and overzealous play. But some MLS officials seem to hand out cards at a greater rate than others. Consistency is needed.

Arlington, Va. via Turin, Italy: Hi Steve:
I know this isn't a United question, but trust you'll want to answer it anyway ... Who will be the star of Euro 2000? Clarence Seedorf? Raul? Zidane? Am I crazy to think it might be Italy's Fabio Cannavaro?

Thanks,

A Juve fan

Steve Goff: Good question---perhaps Kluivert and one of the young French forwards will have a break-out tourament.

Karen, Reston, Va.:
Do you think the U.S. Women's Team can win a gold medal in the Olympics?

Steve Goff: The U.S. women will have a lot of trouble in the first round, playing China, Norway and Nigeria. At the moment, I'd say China is the favorite for the gold medal.

Centreville, Va.: What is the situation with Michael Blackwood? I read that he was injured in auto accident and also that he had signed with a British team. If he had arrived, or when he does what does DC United plan to do with him? Would he start at left halfback or be a reserve?

Steve Goff: Blackwood was injured in an auto accident, delaying his tryout with United. According to DC officials, he has NOT signed with anyone in England, although he is being pursued by several clubs. No word on his DC arrival, but if he's coming, it should be in the next few weeks. DC is hoping he can become a starter on the left side of midfield.

Ashburn, Va.: Deion Sanders can also wear an olive kaiki, (See earlier recommendation with tan kaiki) -- a little yellow in the pin strip tie is OK. But no yellow tie and no yellow handkerchief. Can someone get this to Dion before his next press interview? Thanks Jeannie

Steve Goff: Um, okay.

Silver Spring, Md.: DC gave up two first round picks and a second round pick for Raul Diaz Arce. Instead, why didn't DC see if they could get KC's Alex Bunbury for less?

Steve Goff: The club wasn't very interested in Bunbury, who is very talented but really hasn't done much for Kansas City this year. DC folks saw Diaz Arce as a purer finisher than Bunbury.

Laurel, Md.: When is the MLS going to fold the clubs in KC & Colorado and begin expanding into more soccer rich places such as NY city, upper NY, North Carolina or San Diego? Nothing is more of a "turn-off" to my sporting event viewing, then seeing so many empty seats!

Steve Goff: The KC team is controlled by Lamar Hunt; as long as he's happy with the club, they will stay at Arrowhead. As for Colorado, they are run by Philip Anschutz, who plans to build a soccer-specific stadium for the Rapids as well as his other teams---LA and Chicago.
Expansion will arrive again in a year or two, and the MetroStars group has decided to exercise its option to run a second team in the general NY area (Long Island, NJ, even Philadelphia). San Diego is certainly in the mix.

Columbia, Md.: The sport of soccer is and has been for 20+ years very popular with the middle to upper class 7-18 year old youngsters from Northern VA to Columbia, MD. Why has this not translated to a more loyal United following from these folks? Such effort has gone toward the Latino population (deservingly) but what is/can United marketing do to attract and have these minivan-owning, soccer-families in RFK seats?

Steve Goff: Good question! You would think, with the legions of soccer families in the Washington-Baltimore area, United would draw a little better than they have. Part of the reason may be RFK, which has a perception of being a scary place to visit, especially at night. I've never had a problem around the stadium, but the behavior of some fans inside the stadium has scared off some families in the last two years.

Potomac, Md.: Do you think that the league will use to anti-trust ruling to create a more competitive environment(it seems to open the door because the judge ruled that the league is one company and as long as it retains final authority, it remains one company), or will they just use it as a license to make a mockery of competition, continue to doctor the books, and screw the players out of decent salaries?

Steve Goff: I'm not sure what's going to happen.

Takoma Park, Md.: It's not a DC United question, but do you have any more information on the potential World Cup Qualifier tht might be held in DC? When is the USSF going to announce the venues for the three home qualifiers?

Steve Goff: USSF will announce World Cup venues soon. As I wrote last week, RFK is being seriously considered for a Sept. 3 match (probably against Guatemala) as part of a doubleheader with a DC-New England game (originally scheduled for Sept. 2). Columbus is almost definite for October (against Costa Rica) and Hershey has a shot at the August game against Barbados. If the U.S. advances, other venues will be considered for next year's matches (Foxboro, Portland, Birmingham, Meadowlands, etc.)

Washington, D.C.: Ever since the downslide this season (which is hopefully on the mend), I and many others have noticed an increase in public awareness of DC United. People on the street come up to me (others on various internet forums have noted the same) and talk about DC whenever I wear a t-shirt, cap, or jersey. Most are casual fans. Has United's (temporary) decline given them an identity amongst Washington's other troubled pro franchises?

Tim

Steve Goff: I just think the club has been around long enough now that they have achieved mainstream recognition (win or lose).

Washington, D.C.: Forgive my ignorance... but aren't the Olympics seeded at all? How can the two world cup finalists be competing in the first round of Olympic competition?! What a disaster for US women's soccer! That aside.. what kind of profit has the MLS made? and, what kind of response do you think the women's professional league will get?

Steve Goff: The women's draw had two top seeds: the United States and Australia. Obviously, the Americans received the much more difficult group. But look on the bright side: If the US gets past the first round, they shouldn't have too much trouble in the semis.

Washington, D.C.: Alan Kelly Jr., son of DC United Goal Keeper Coach Alan Kelly Sr., is the keeper on the Irish national team playing in the US Cup tournament. Wasn't this worth a story?

Steve Goff: I've mentioned it in various stories over the years, but perhaps a longer piece is needed. I'll keep it in mind. Thanx for the suggestion!

McLean, Va.: Hi Steve,

That was certainly idiotic of Coach Arena (if he truly wanted to win) to play an ENTIRELY new lineup vs. Ireland. Then, he brings in Cobi Jones in the 70th min. and Brian McBride in the 88th minute!!! The Irish deserved to win this one.

Steve Goff: Arena has said for many weeks that he wanted to play two different lineups in the first two games and that seeing everyone on the field in a competitive game was more important than winning. Ireland also used several reserves. Not a great game, thanks in part to the weather. U.S. created many chances in the first half, but couldn't finish. Except for the goal, Ireland didn't do much.

Washington, D.C.: How long and how many games lost before DC United goalkeeper would be replaced or traded?
It appear that other players are making every efforts to win games but the goalie is not ready. Case in point: The last 10 goals would show that this goalie was not impressive. Most of the direct kicks from the box area went inside the same position and same manner. Goalie needs be replaced now. Thank You

Steve Goff: Unless DC plans to go overseas for a goalie, I dont think you'll see any changes. Who else in this country is available?

Columbia, Md.: What has changed so much from last year to account for DC's first-to-worst fall? We have mostly the same players! Have the other teams gotten that much stronger or been better able to exploit some newly discovered DC weakness? Do we have too many players that played "above their game" in previous years that are coming back to earth?

Steve Goff: Several reasons for the decline:
---No one has stepped up and filled Lassiter's vital role
---Sonora's departure left a big hole at right back. Talley is out of position when he plays there (he's much better centrally)
---most of the other teams have improved
---perhaps some of DC's veterans are past their prime
---the club doesn't seem as motivated as in past years

Washington, D.C.: Hi Steve,

I've been a United fan for a few years now, but I have to agree that RFK is a little sketchy at night (I'm a female, and my husband would probably not be too excited about me going to a night game without him.) Are the United stuck at RFK forever because they don't draw enough fans to move to a better venue?

Steve Goff: United would love to have its own 30,000-seat stadium, but until the new owners are in place, nothing will happen.

Washington, D.C.: The team just doesn't seem to have the confidence it had during the Arena days, when role players often performed astoundingly. Have you noticed any signs that the conflicts with players that dogged Rongen's tenure in New England are cropping up here? I wonder about this because of the lack of confidence being displayed by certain young players and the general lack of cohesion within the team.

Steve Goff: Players seem relatively pleased with Rongen. However, the shuffling lineup has left some players wondering what will happen next.

Washington, D.C.: Steve, many of DC's most hardcore fans have been disappointed in the team's efforts to cope with its abysmal start to the season. Most notable are calls for Rongen to be fire and disappointment that United gave up so much to reacquire a player who openly criticized the organization, earning the ire of United's non-Salvadoran fans. Personally, I've been most disappointed in Rongen's treatment of his younger players, especially Antonio Otero. Do you have any insight into whether any friction exists between team an coach, perhaps friction similar to that which led to Rongen's departure from New England?

Steve Goff: It's clear that Otero hasn't performed well this year---a troubling development considering he had an excellent preseason. Rongen will continue to give him opportunities, but at some point he has to step up and show he can play at this level. So far he hasnt done that.

Fairfax, Va.: With a large number of United starters missing for World Cup qualifiers and Olympic duty, do you think United has a shot to make it to the finals again? They will lose more players during the rest of the season than any other team.

Steve Goff: United will have trouble getting back to the finals, even if they do turn around their play. The new playoff format will make it much more difficult than past seasons. Instead of playing Miami and Columbus and New England in the Eastern playoffs, DC might end up playing, say, Chicago in the first round and KC in the second.

Sterling, Va.: With Diaz Arce back will DC United have salary cap problems next year?

What was Kevin Payne thinking when he decided to rely on rookies Otero, Cooks, Convey, and espically Albright?

Steve Goff: DC apparently will not have salary cap problems because a portion of Diaz Arce's salary will be paid by Tampa next year.
Albright is ready for MLS and Convey is developing rapidly. Cooks and Otero still have a lot to prove.

Washington, D.C.: What do you make of allegations that the league "forced" the trade on the Mutiny, since the Mutiny is owned by the league? Tampa Bay's coach was very displeased with the trade. Is there concern in the front office that DC's fall this year was too sharp?

Steve Goff: The league says it didn't influence the trade. But there's no doubt they were happy to see Diaz Arce return to DC.

Blacskburg, Va.: Isn't it time to fire to fire Rongen? Arena never needed the players because his scheme utilized the strengths of his players.

Steve Goff: Payne says Rongen is in no danger of being fired. HOwever, if United misses the playoffs, I'm sure Payne would have to consider a change.

Centreville, Va.: What are Raul's committments to his national team? Will DC United be without Moreno and Diaz-Arce at the same time?

Steve Goff: Diaz Arce will play for El Salvador in WC qualifying at about the same time as United's U.S. players. The Bolivians also will miss several more games. The worst weekend will be Sept. 2-3: Bolivia at Brazil, USA vs. Guatemala, El Salvador vs. someone.

Washington, D.C.: Big picture question here:
What do you think needs to happen for soccer to get more prominant media coverage in the U.S.? The Post does give you a decent amount of space and usually on one of the first few pages of the section, but this is the exception in the U.S. And follow-up question: What do you think we fans can do to help get more time on TV/radio for soccer coverage, and more space in print? Given the attitudes you've seen among editors, what can fans do to provide "air cover" for soccer reporters to get more ink?
Thanks and I do look for your column as soon as I open the paper.
DHS

Steve Goff: Every media market is different. Some, like D.C. and Boston, take soccer very seriously. Most others do not. Readers in those cities can make a difference by contacting sports editors/directors/reporters, etc.
At the Post, the sports decisions are made by George Solomon. He can be reached at solomong@washpost.com
I can be reached at goffs@washpost.com (I check those messages several times a week.)
Thanks to everyone for submitting questions!