The colourful mosaic of the 1994 World Cup will need a thorough pressing to iron out some worrying problems.

On the face of it America is just not ready for next year's invasion of soccer fans -- but it is getting there.

Last month's US Cup '93 proves that there are major problems that need to be addressed quickly before football's biggest tournament hits the States.

But some might be just too big for even the Americans to overcome before next year.

At least 50 Bermudians travelled over to the States to see the four-team tournament, including former national coach Gary Darrell.

And many more will be likely to travel next year. US Cup '93 provided them and the Americans with a taste of what to expect. First of all they were given three of the world's most colourful teams to take on their own improving mix of youngsters and European mercenaries.

They were treated to a giant-killing act of historic proportions when the US defeated England, an incredible comeback by the Germans against Brazil and a high-scoring encounter between the US and Germany.

Then while the England/Brazil match was no classic the first sell-out crowd in US history saw the RFK Stadium in Washington awash with colour and song from the two sets of visiting supporters.

And that could be the first problem, while the Americans love to dress up at American Football and baseball games they do have a little difficulty coming to terms with the European and Latin type of merriment that goes with soccer.

Brazilians and Englishmen danced happily in the stadium as uneasy security personnel looked on.

But similar behaviour the previous evening in Washington's popular Georgetown area had almost led to a nasty scene. Fifteen or 20 Englishmen had left a pub at 3 a.m. and started to sing and dance as they walked back to their hotel.

American onlookers were nervous of this having heard tales of England's riotous reputation abroad. Then the Police arrived carrying long truncheons and guns and the situation came close to escalating.

Fortunately the fans dispersed but larger groups next year may not be as easy to calm.

While the crowds at US Cup '93 were huge and success seems assured for the World Cup, with tickets for matches selling out in a matter of hours in Boston and Detroit earlier last month, there is still little interest in the media.

America's historic defeat of England found little space on the pages of the national media who are more interested in World Championships involving "the World'' of North America.

English, Brazilian and German sports reporters were there in force and complained about the organisation by people who knew little about the game.

In fact the feeling was that the soccer federation may still be clutching at straws to create interest. For example they are dragging AC Milan away from their loyal thousands in Italy just to provide another publicity boost. They will be taking part in the annual Italian Super Cup, with a lesser team.

Without the hard sell from the national press the World Cup could mean problems. The RFK Stadium, amazing by English standards, showed the weaknesses associated with bringing in a new game.

Only three ticket windows were open as thousands poured towards the stadium at the last minute. Queues fell into disarray. Even the ticket touts were having a terrible day selling $25 tickets for $10 less than face value.

While it is possible to stroll into an American Football game late, missing the first 15 minutes of a soccer game could deprive you of the only goal of the game, or even more. Yet two-thirds of the sell-out crowd at RFK were not in their seats at kick-off time.

Guido Tonyoni of FIFA said: "FIFA is extremely happy about what has happened over the last couple of weeks. This has arrived in the US 500 years too late, they are finally starting to discover soccer.'' US soccer officials believe the World Cup will see the world's greatest game explode in the country but many observers are sceptical about the tournament and about the future interest after it ends.

The feeling from the US Cup '93 is that there is novel interest in the game but little else. It may take a lot more than a year to change that.

MERRY MEN -- Bermudians added to the first ever sell out soccer crowd in the United States. The Robin Hood flag could be clearly seen in the 54,118 crowd.

HERE WE GO -- English fans celebrate David Platt's goal against the Brazilians at RFK Stadium in Washington.

GOAL! -- The samba starts up as Brazil ties against England.

MY BALL -- Brazilian Valdeir and England's Earl Barrett in an exciting tussle in Washington.

COME AND GET IT -- Brazil's Elivelton taunts the England defence in front of the huge crowd at RFK.