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Newcastle's Shearer praises growth of U.S. game

By Jose Alfredo Flores
USA TODAY

Alan Shearer is a soccer superstar, but in a city known as a home to the famous, Washington, D.C., he went seemingly unnoticed last week.

''It's nice to finally be able to go somewhere without being mobbed by fans,'' says Shearer, 29, of Newcastle United of the English Premier League.

''This would never happen in Newcastle. It's a sign you're on your way out when no one does it.''

Shearer will find out tonight whether he gets noticed in Columbus, Ohio, when his Newcastle team takes on Major League Soccer's Crew at 7:30 ET in the second of a two-game U.S. exhibition tour.

Although the American public might not be too familiar with this international celebrity, American sports fans are becoming more familiar with his sport. And according to Shearer, American soccer players have improved since he last played against some six years ago.

''America is definitely on the right track when it comes to football,'' says Shearer, referring to what Americans call soccer.

As captain of the English national team in 1994, he scored twice in a 2-0 win against the USA at London's Wembley Stadium. Saturday, his Newcastle squad lost a preseason exhibition game to D.C. United 3-1.

''I was very impressed by their performance out there,'' he says. ''Times have certainly changed.''

Shearer last played the Americans shortly after the 1994 World Cup. Since then, many U.S. players have improved, thanks in part to the 5-year-old MLS.

''The Americans play an attractive brand of football. They are not afraid to attack, and they pass the ball extremely well,'' Shearer says.

D.C. played inspired soccer, outhustling Newcastle players to the ball and creating chances for midfielder Marco Etcheverry, who had three assists. ''That No. 10 (Etcheverry), you can tell he's a playmaker,'' Shearer says.

Shearer also left an impression on a couple of D.C. players.

''Once he's inside the box he's tough to beat,'' forward JaimeMoreno says. Adds defender Jeff Agoos, ''He can change the game with just one touch.''

Even though D.C. defeated Newcastle, Shearer says it's unfair to compare the MLS to the Premiership just yet.

''I think the English Premier League is certainly ahead of MLS,'' he says. ''How far? I don't know. But I think the MLS has a chance to grow, and it will get better.''

There's been criticism by the media that the league can't compete with other spectator sports in the USA.

''Expectations are always going to be high because it's America,'' Shearer says. ''It's difficult to meet expectations with the standards you set over the years.''

Newcastle coach Bobby Robson, who coached the Vancouver Whitecaps of the now-defunct North American Soccer League in 1967, was a little more critical. ''They've got the money. They've got the power. There should be no reason they shouldn't make this work,'' Robson says.

Attracting good foreign players and developing young American talent are some of the ways MLS is improving its quality on the field. One of the highest-profile players in the league is German legend Lothar Matthaeus, who was criticized in the media recently for a perceived lack of desire.

''Because of the standards he set for himself over the years, if he falls below them he's going to be criticized,'' Shearer says. ''I'm certainly used to that, and I'm sure he can handle that.''