Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • Page 71

Chicago Tribune, Wednesday, October 28, 1998 Section 4 3 SOCCER Fred Mitchell Onus Ins ciai: iiraia ne C08LC It's offi A notional A Fire's Bradley will act as assistant in off-season Butkus Award loses luster for namesake ou don't want to make Dick Butkus angry. Not even long after his Hall of Fame playing days. The menacing Bears By Bonnie DeSimone Tkhiunk Staff Wkitkk In the long line of countries striving to achieve soccer superiority, the United States now has a coach whose elbows were sharpened in the delis and pizza joints of New York. U.S. Soccer federation officials formalized the obvious Tuesday, appointing D.C.

United coach Bruce Arena to the post of men's national team coach for the next four years. Arena won two important items in his negotiations with the Chicago-based federation: a deal that extends through the 2002 World Cup, and the dual title of national teams technical director. The latter empowers him to select coaches, help iden-. tify nascent talent and begin to formulate a consistent playing philosophy for the younger age-group national teams, including the Olympic team. The 47-year-old Long Island native known for his outspokenness and demanding work ethic choked up during his first comments at a Manhattan press con- nament when he was 19, but it is unclear whether those matches constitute official international appearances.

The federation is consulting with regional officials. "Maybe this is minor enough that they can give me the opportunity," Armas said. "I hope they present it in a way where I can play." Like the Fire trio, most of thfc players on the roster for the Australia match will be young and untried in international competition. Arena said he will experiment freely, mixing and matching young MLS stars, veteran players and U.S. players overseas, until World Cup 2002 qualifying starts about two years from now.

"We need a base of new players," Arena said. "We will not rule out any players, but we need to start building with young players. We know many of the veteran players and what they can offer. They don't need to play against Tribune staff writer Bob Folt-man contributed to this report. i mately determine the outcome on the field." Arena built a dynasty at the University of Virginia, winning five NCAA titles and honing the skills of several world-class players, including John Haikcs and Claudio Reyna.

D.C. United won the first two Major League Soccer championships under Arena and made the final a un this year only to be upended by the Chicago Fire last weekend. Even that was somewhat of a testimonial to Arena, as Fire coach Bob Bradley is a former assistant, close friend and pea in-a-pod soccer philosopher. Arena's first official act was to name Bradley to assist him in the MLS off-season as time permits. "If you can't beat him, join him," Arena said mock-wanly.

Bradley said he thinks the two jobs can be compatible. "What it means is that I'm going to do my best to work with Bruce and help him out, but obviously, first and foremost still concentrate on the Fire," Bradley said Tuesday at the team's celebratory rally at Daley Plaza. Arena plunged right into his official duties Tuesday afternoon, making the final roster selections for a Nov. 6 friendly against Australia in San Jose. His decisions made the afternoon doubly festive for Fire goalkeeper Zach Thornton, defender C.J.

Brown and forwards Ante Razov and Josh Wolff, whose official written call-ups from the federation were hand-delivered at the rally. "I don't think of it as being this great feat, but it gets my name in there," said Wolff, who will go to Italy for a spell this whiter to train with AC Milan. "It gets my foot in the door." Midfielder Chris Armas also may be called in if his eligibility status is clarified. Armas played several games for the Puerto Rican national team in a tour ference, but quickly recovered his usual direct manner. "I do realize there's a bit of a struggle ahead," said Arena, who inherits a team that finished 32nd and last at the 1998 World Cup in France and came home bitterly divided by the tactics of then-coach Steve Sampson.

"Our goal to start will be to be among the 32 nations that qualify for the next World Cup. By the year 2010, we are going to be a soccer-playing nation that can compete with any team in the world." Arena's hiring validates his status as the most successful homegrown American coach. "He has set the standard in this country in a very real way," MLS Commissioner Doug Logan said. "He has an eye for talent, an ability to mesh important pieces on the field and singularly among American coaches, he is not prone to over-coach. He has always understood that the athletes ulti Y- 'X I City honors its newest champion linebacker is agitated that Northwestern itfandout Barry Gardner isn't listed as a candidate for the Butkus Award, which knowledges the top collegiate alrnebacker in the country.

"I have nothing to do with anything. I don't have anything to say about the burner, the selection committee or -whatever," Butkus said on WGN Radio. Butkus agreed to lend his name to the ward 14 years ago on behalf of an organization in Orlando that is host to an annual banquet. Butkus says he has -tried to get the banquet moved to riChicago. He was unable to attend last year's banquet after having knee Replacement surgery.

have the copyright of the name i'jiitkus so I'm having a difficult iiiie moving it to Chicago," he said. not going t.gain this year, because they don't need me there, fine. I won't I'm sorry, hut there is nothing 1 can uo. I hate to think that they are just doing this omitting Gardner to get back me, which they very possibly could. I He's a Big Ten guy from Chicago.

And if I they're stooping that low, then, fine. Because I'm going to wait, and I have my spies down there. If not picking Gardner as a candidate is a violation, then I'm going to get a lawyer and look at it. Because I want that banquet to be in Chicago where we can honor the top high school linebacker, junior college, everybody." Happy birthday! Shawn Maykuth of Bolingbrook is the grand prize winner of the Big League Blast Home Run Sweepstakes. The honor entitles Shawn to meet baseball's all-time home run single season home run record holder, Mark McGwire, and attend the Players Choice Awards on Friday at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Orlando.

Maykuth was randomly selected on Oct 14 (which was his 11th birthday) from more than 12,000 entries of young baseball fans in the United States and Canada between the ages of 3 and 14 who entered the Big League Blast Home Kyi I Run sweepstakes. "I'm so excited because I love By Bob Foltman Tribune Staff Writer He was too young and didn't really feel a part of the team 14 years ago, when the city last celebrated an outdoor soccer championship. Then it was the Sting of the old North American Soccer League. But Frank Klopas certainly appreci- ates what has happened to him and his Chicago Fire teammates the last three days. The Fire showed off its champion-" ship trophy in front of Mayor Richard Daley and a couple hundred fans Tuesday at Daley Plaza.

For Klopas, who joined the Sting in its last season after graduating from Mather High School, this title highlights his career. "In '84 I didn't feel a part of the Sting," Klopas said. "I joined the team at the end of the season and they won the championship. I went to Greece and won three championships, but I have never enjoyed one like this one." Each player was introduced and given a banner by the mayor. Then Klopas, Zach Thornton, captain Peter Nowak and Chicago-area defender Tom Soehn tlianked the fans on behalf of the team.

The four presented Daley with an autographed ball from Sunday's game, along with a T-shirt and hat The crowd chanted "MVP, MVP" for Nowak, who was the most valuable player in Sunday's 2-0 victory over D.C. United, and also chanted "Bob, Bob, Bob" for Fire coach Bob Bradley. "When we started our team," he said, "we felt it was very important to have the kind of teams that soccer fans here and around Chicago could be proud of and feel a part of. The real way to win respect is to win a championship." The rally was held later in the afternoon in order to accommodate the Fire's practice schedule. The Fire will face the Columbus Crew Friday night at Soldier Field for the U.S.

Open Cup. Fire General Manager Peter Wilt said it is likely the first time a championship rally had to be scheduled around a practice. As if Sunday's title and Tuesday's rally weren't enough, Bradley became Bruce Arena's assistant coach on the U.S. national team He'll work national team duties around the Fire's schedule. Five members of the Fire Thornton, Josh Wolff, C.J.

Brown, Chris Armas and Ante Razov were named to the U.S. squad that will face Australia in an exhibition match Nov. 6 in San Jose, Calif. Triburw photos by Jose M. Osorio Daley Plaza (above) was filled with soccer fans as Chicago honored the Fire, champions of Major League Soccer.

While Alison Griffin of Woodstock (right) had on her soccer face, and Richard O'Brien (left) of Mt. Prospect went a little ape, Fire stars Zach Thornton (from left) and Frank Klopas, plus coach Bob Bradley (right) were the center of attention Tuesday. Bradley said: "We felt it was very important to have the kind of teams that soccer fans here and around Chicago could be proud of and feel a part of." i-i -ii baseball," said Maykuth. "Sometimes I play first base on my Little League team and I'm hoping McGwire will give me some tips." Fast track: To support Sammy Sosa's youth baseball programs in the Dominican Republic, BLIMPIE Subs Salads has donated 35,000 baseballs to the Sammy Sosa Charitable Foundation. To make a donation to the foundation, call 773-404-4067 The Schaumburg Flyers, the new minor league baseball team that begins play in the northwest suburbs next spring, has selected DiMeo Co.

of Chicago as its advertising agency. DiMeo Co. pi-eviously handled advertising for the White Sox. A large part of the Flyers' marketing campaign will feature the team's manager, Ron Kittle, a former White Sox slugger The University of Chicago (5-2) football team will be host to Washington University 12:30 p.m. Saturday with a chance to clinch at least a share of its first University Athletic Association championship The Links Tees Golf Dome opens Sunday in Addison as the largest golf facility of its kind in the Chicago suburbs.

The golf dome is comparable in size to a professional soccer field and features a two-tier deck with 45 tees, AstroTurf putting greens and 5,200 square feet of target greens Marty Joyce of Elmwood Park finished second in the senior division of the long drive competition (319 yards) at the RE MAX World Long Drive Championship near Las Vegas last weekend. The event can be seen in its entirety Christinas Day on ESPN. Send e-mail to Fred Mitchell at 1 ia L5'. A- i- u. Sr jit-urn, VSTF! Fred Mitchell appears Mondays wi on CLTV's "Sports Page" at 9 p.m.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL As record improves, Irish discover stakes are raised OTHER VOICES Gwen Knapp, San Francisco Examiner riutie's breakfast of champs Supermarkets had to start rationing Flutie Flakes almost as soon as they came out. The breakfast treat was released only in Buffalo and Boston, but there could be a national market developing for the Hakes, just as there could soon be a national infatuation with the Little Quarterback Who Could. Right now, Doug Flutie is a phenomenon. His Flutie Flakes, put out by a specialty food company, promise to raise a ton of money for his foundation to fight autism, which afflicts one of his children. Here's a story with a hint of myth to it.

A Bills employee found a police officer writing a ticket. The employee tried to plead with the otl'icer, who wouldn't budge. Then the policeman noticed the Bills staff sticker on the car. The team employee sensed a change of heart. "We could make this go away," the officer said, "if you can get me two boxes of Flutie Flakes." By Malcchn Koran Tmhune Staff Writf.k SOUTH BEND, mandate was clear but the definition was not.

When Notre Dame's football team arrived on campus in the heat of August, the challenge was simple. Improvement was a non-negotiable item. But now that the Fighting Irish have raised the stakes with a record of 5-1 and a potential spot in the Rose Bowl, their task has become more complicated. "We're heading into unchartered waters," coach Bob Davie says. Notre Dame's record is its best after six games since the 1993 team went undefeated through 10 games.

But that Irish team was ranked No. 3 after its sixth win. This team is ranked 16th in both major polls and 16th in the Bowl Championship Series standings that will be used to create postseason matchups. The combined record of Notre Dame's past six opponents, not including games against the Irish, is 17-20. The narrow escapes against Purdue and Army already have created a backlash to Notre Dame's Rose Bowl possibilities.

The next three Irish opponentsBaylor, Boston College and Navy have losing records. At the start of the season the question was how often the Irish would win; now the issue is the margin of victory. At the start of camp, Davie said that after the frustration of a six-loss season, he would like to see how he would handle success. Now the demands of the best Irish start in five years will give him an idea. "None of these coaches were here in '93," Davie says.

"None of these players were here in '93. So what I try to do is educate them the best I can." Suddenly, Irish fans have to deal with the temptation of scoreboard watching. Three games in the next month Arizona-Oregon on Saturday, Nebraska-Kansas State on Nov. 14 and Wisconsin-Penn State on Nov. 21 could have an impact on Notre Dame's Rose Bowl chances.

The Irish will be dealing with their own problems. As they prepared for the meeting with Baylor and former Irish assistant Dave Roberts, Davie continued to deal with several deficiencies. Even after the defense "I'd rather be 5-1 and have that conversation than be 1-5 and have another kind of conversation," Davie says. "But what it all is is just conversation, and that's the point I'm trying to make to this football team." His approach is to remember the simple urgency of Labor Day weekend, when the opener against Michigan following the painful publicity of off-field problems, created a single-minded outlook. "You try to simplify things," Davie says.

I always go back to the Michigan game. When we prepared for Michigan, there was no other issue than trying to survive and trying to find a way to beat Michigan. And we approach every week that same way." held Army to 230 yards, the fewest the Irish have allowed this year, the unit has given up an average of 366.5. A series of injuries to linebackers, including the cervical sprain suffered by Grant Irons, who will not play this week, has reduced the depth dramatically at that position. Punt protection remains an unsolved problem.

"It is not a problem that's going to go away," Davie says. Special teams problems could become glaring this week against a Baylor team that has blocked a field goal attempt and two punts and has turned fumbled punt snaps into a safety and a touchdown. Still, a spot in the Gator Bowl would appear to be the least of Notre Dame's possibilities. BEST ISSUE AVAILABLE.