U.S. defeats El Salvador, but coach may be doomed

Soccer has made significant strides in the United States since it was host to the 1994 World Cup.

A new league, the MLS, has had two solid seasons. An American, Steve Sampson, succeeded Yugoslavian-born Bora Milutinovic as coach of the U.S. national team. And that team lost just two of 16 games in winning a World Cup berth.But Sampson may lose his job before the tournament begins in France next June.

It may not matter that the Americans eliminated El Salvador 4-2 in Sunday's qualifying round finale, the most goals they've scored in 34 games.

It may not matter that after a disappointing 1-1 tie with Jamaica on Oct. 3, they regrouped with a scoreless tie in Mexico, a 3-0 win in Canada that clinched a tournament berth and Sunday's entertaining victory before 53,193 cheering fans.

All that matters is the decision expected next month by Alan Rothenberg, the president of the U.S. Soccer Federation.

"We're now moving up to a new phase," Rothenberg said in the victorious U.S. locker room. "Where we slipped from time to time was not necessarily on the technical side but on the motivational side.

"Obviously, Steve has made a great deal of progress," he added. "I'll listen to everybody but, ultimately, it's my call."