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<font size=+2><b>
<span class="vitstoryheadline">Was the fix in? Duh, whatever </span>
</b></font><p>
<font size=-1><b>
<span class="vitstorydate">06/20/2002</span>
</b></font><p>
<font size=-1><b>
<span class="vitstorybyline">By STEVE DAVIS / The Dallas Morning News</span>
</b></font><span class="vitstorybody"><p>

    Cries of match-fixing or player payoffs are emanating from Mexico and from 
    its significant fan pockets in Dallas after the United States' 2-0 upset 
    in the second round.

    <p>
      That's nothing new in world soccer, where a nation's citizens pour out 
      their hearts for their team and often attach too much national worth to 
      the fortunes of their beloved soccer heroes.
    </p>
    <p>
      But could the United States really fix a game? The acidic sarcasm of 
      U.S. coach Bruce Arena, familiar to soccer watchers but just now being 
      discovered by America at large, once offered his view on the subject.
    </p>
    <p>
      The topic was the draw for the 1996 Olympic Soccer Tournament, held in 
      and around Atlanta. The Brooklyn-born Arena coached that team, which 
      didn't receive a favorable first-round draw. Afterward, he thought he 
      was off the record when he said Americans are &quot;too stupid to fix a draw.&quot;

    </p>
    <p>
      Diplomacy has never been an Arena strength. Right before the World Cup, 
      English Premier League club Fulham refused to release midfielder Eddie 
      Lewis for World Cup preparations &#8211; even though Lewis had not played for 
      Fulham all year.
    </p>
    <p>
      Arena was incensed. Speaking of Fulham coach Jean Tigana, the U.S. coach 
      said, &quot;That guy is a complete jerk.&quot;
    </p>
    <p>
      
    </p>
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