"As president of the United States Soccer Federation, I will continue to expand the mission and goals that have guided me these past four years as executive vice president, I not only will continue to support the goals to make soccer the pre-eminent sport by the year 2005 and carry out Project 2010 to benefit the membership, but also set goals, with the USSF family, that are necessary to guide us into the 21st century.

In order to meet these objectives, I set as a very high priority communication with all members of the Federation, the improvement of services provided by the USSF, and pledge to provide all assistance necessary to strengthen our sport. There are a number of ways to assist our members: the maximum use of modern technology, maintaining information on an up-to-date basis, and listening to their needs.

Because of the geographic expanse of our country and the number of members of the Federation, it would not only be beneficial but expedient to establish regional offices where needed, or have Federation staff assigned the responsibility of assisting our membership on a regional basis.

The Federation also needs to promote increased support for recreational soccer programs from the youth to the adult levels. I believe that the Federation should have a recreational soccer committee that will take the lead. In working with the Amateur and Youth Divisions and their committees, to promote and improve our recreational programs. The Federation should provide support and assistance, for example, in promoting national over-40 and over-50 competitions.

Project 2010 sets out a number of general goals that provide a framework for Federation programs for the next 12 years: to improve the level of coaching, and to improve the level of refereeing.

Specifically, we have a goal of having our women’s national team continue to win the gold at the Olympics and Women’s World Cup. We have a goal of having our men’s national team win the World Cup by 2010. We have a goal of having a Federation referee be the center official of the World Cup final by 2006.

These will require a great deal of planning and preparation of programs and activities in the very near future if we are to achieve them. On election, I will begin immediately to ask for and consider ideas, proposals and plans from everyone in the soccer family to achieve those goals. These will then be put in final form and submitted to the national board of directors for approval and implementation.

My experience as executive vice president since 1994 has by itself given me the background, knowledge and contacts that are difficult to duplicate, and will provide me with a heads-up start as president.

My soccer, professional, and civil and volunteer background expands my knowledge and experience that are all particularly appropriate as president of the Federation. I have been involved in all of these activities at every level -- from the local, to the national, to the international. I am no Johnny-come-lately to soccer to politics or to civic and volunteer work.