SOCCER STAR KEEPS LOW PROFILE IN U.S.

Byline: Alan Springer Special to the Daily News

You could eavesdrop on any conversation in any bar or sports club in Europe and the topic would probably be the same: Soccer.

You'd hear such names as Maradonna, Beckenbauer and Eric Wynalda as soccer fans talked about some of the greatest goal scorers in the world. Beckenbauer and Maradonna are as much household names in their own countries as Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson are in ours.

But while Wynalda is a celebrity across the Atlantic Ocean, he's barely known in his own nation.

``I think that soccer is becoming very big in this country,'' said Wynalda, a Westlake Village resident who spent four years playing professional soccer in Germany. ``It is really weird for me to come back here to the United States after playing in Europe. When I was there I was treated like a national star. It is great to come back home because I am not noticed as much. I can lead a normal life.

``I don't think soccer is in competition with any of the other sports in the U.S.,'' he said. ``I think that soccer is different. People really have a love for the game, and it gets into your blood.''

Wynalda was raised in Westlake and graduated from Westlake High School in 1987 after a brilliant high school career. He holds every single Westlake soccer record, was first team All-State for three years and was named 1986 CIF Player of the Year. He also led his team to its only state championship appearance in 1987. Wynalda played with World Cup teammate Cobi Jones in his senior year at Westlake.

He then moved on to San Diego State University, where he was named top freshman athlete while leading his team to a Final Four appearance.

From there, he decided to play internationally for the U.S. team. He competed in his first World Cup in 1990 at the age of 21 and did very well.

In 1994, Wynalda again made the World Cup team, this time in front of his own country, where he scored the first goal of the tournament.

``It was so neat to play at the Rose Bowl in front of my friends and family,'' Wynalda said.

Wynalda is known around the world as the U.S. national team's all-time leading goal scorer, with 27 goals. He needs only two more goals to move him into 25th place on the all-time list. Wynalda will get that chance in 1998, when he hopes to compete in his third World Cup in France.

Wynalda hasn't made the team yet but he feels that he has a very good chance. ``I think that this next team we send out there will be our best ever. The United States has more talent than it has ever had, and we actually have a chance of winning the cup.''

In the meantime, Wynalda will concentrate on his Major League Soccer team, the San Jose Clash. Wynalda led the Clash last season with 10 goals and 34 points, fifth best in the league. ``The MLS is a great thing for soccer,'' said Wynalda, whose team however was eliminated from the playoffs in the first round by the L.A. Galaxy in three games. ``The MLS will hopefully make soccer big in this country.''

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Photo

Photo: Eric Wynalda teaches ball-handling techniques at the third annual Holiday Soccer Camp at his alma mater, Westlake High School.

Jeremy Greene/Special to the Daily News