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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Alexander Abnos

World Cup 94 chief Alan Rothenberg on growth of US soccer, the 2026 finals and dynamic pricing

Alan Rothenberg holding a copy of his book in his office.
Alan Rothenberg was president of the US Soccer Federation for most of the 90s. Photograph: Courtesy Alan Rothenberg

Whenever the modern era of American soccer began (the 1994 World Cup? Or the 1990 appearance by the US men? Or the 1991 World Cup win by the US women?), Alan Rothenberg was a key player.

Rothenberg came up as a lawyer under Jack Kent Cooke, owner of Washington’s NFL team, the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA, the LA Kings of the NHL, and – crucially, the Los Angeles Wolves of the North American Soccer League (NASL), a team that started life fielding mostly players from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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