Major League Soccer

MLS: Not needed in Chicago, Campos returns to Mexico’s UNAM Pumas.

(Tuesday, September 29, 1998) -- Jorge Campos has been the biggest single gate attraction in Major League Soccer, but if he returns in 1999 the chances are he could be on his third team in four years.

He played two seasons with the Los Angeles Galaxy, helping draw huge crowds the first year. The Hispanic population is key in that area, and his flamboyant style was a major factor in the record 28,916 average crowds in the Rose Bowl. Campos, known for his colorful uniforms, also helped draw fans in road matches, too. He led MLS goalkeepers with a 1.20 goals-against average.

His performance declined somewhat the second season -- though he still finished third overall with a 1.31 mark -- and some fans were critical, attendance dropping to 20,696.

Coach Octavio Zambrano, furthermore, didn't feel the Galaxy needed a maximum salary player for the goalkeeper position, particularly with young Kevin Hartman a more-than-adequate replacement for 1998. Thus this spring Campos was traded to Chicago Fire, with a large Hispanic population. He missed the first half of the season due to World Cup commitments, and when he returned, he had to share time with a hot young goalkeeper, Zach Thornton, who eventually beat him out for the No. 1 spot.

Today, he was on a plane for Mexico City -- departing the Fire on the eve of the MLS playoffs -- to resume playing for his other team, UNAM Pumas of the Mexican first division.

Fire Coach Bob Bradley decided to go with the fast-improving Thornton, leading MLS with a 1.17 goals-against average, for the remainder of the season. MLS deputy commissioner Sunil Gulati said the early leave was mutually agreeable since he was not starting for Chicago, adding it was "a unique situation" that a starter for the Mexican national team was second-string in Major League Soccer.

"Jorge has been an extraordinary player for this league," he said.

The unorthodox Campos, who at 5-foot-9 and 155 pounds is the smallest goalkeeper in MLS and is known for playing away from the goal more than most netminders, started just eight games and allowed 1.89 goals per game.

Gulati said the Fire wants Campos, who played well for Mexico in both the 1998 and 1994 World Cups, to return next year. Campos was unavailable for comment, but there have been rumors that San Jose Clash would be interested in his services.

Highlights of a MLS conference call today:

* Attendance for the season was 14,312, down slightly from last year's mark of 14,416. Total attendance, for 12 teams, was 2,747,897, just short of the 1996 record, for 10 teams, of 2,786,673.
* Commissioner Doug Logan reported 1998 was a record year for goal-scoring, with 3.56 goals per game. This contrasts with 3.37 in 1996, and 3.26 in 1997.
* Television ratings on ABC for nine games was .9, "which is one- or two-tenths of a point lower than we would prefer," Logan said.
* Three major sponsorship renewals are up this year, and Logan said he expected them to be renewed.
* The Tampa Bay future remains uncertain. A decision is expected within a week. Key factors remain terms of the lease with Tampa Stadium Authority, and lack of fan support for the Mutiny. "Rochester jumps to the head of the class" if a new soccer-specific stadium is constructed in upstate New York, Logan said, talking about expansion and/or teams moving. The Rhinos averaged 11,499 in the second division A-League, more than four MLS teams drew.

He reiterated that Philadelphia and Houston are prime candidates for 2000 expansion, providing stadium issues are resolved. He also said he would like a second team in New York, and perhaps one in San Diego, perhaps for 2002 expansion. Seattle remains a strong candidate for 2004.

* Ticket sales of 23,996 were reported for MLS Cup '98, scheduled October 25 for the Rose Bowl. Logan said more than 50,000 are expected if the Galaxy wins the Western Conference playoffs.
* No final decision has been made on whether to reduce the number of international players from five to four per team, which was the 1996 figure. U.S. Soccer gave MLS a three-year exemption to go to five, which it has used for both 1997 and 1998.
* Gulati said there were no plans to increase team roster sizes beyond 20 players.
* Logan repeated his disappointment at the New York/New Jersey MetroStars' attendance, fourth in MLS at 16,519. "We need to do a much better job promoting the team," he said. "I will be meeting with management soon. I am frustrated at the lack of progress."

Jerry Langdon is sports editor for Gannett News Service and can be e-mailed at jlangdon@gns.gannett.com.