soccer hit home with some force.

They strike at an entrenched belief about Americans and soccer and how ne'er the twain shall meet, bar the odd World Cup.

Here are a selection: Soccer is the second most popular sport with kids.

Some 16 million people play soccer in "some shape or form'', and 12 million of these are under the age of 18; and Soccer is the fastest growing sport in the US.

And perhaps most surprisingly of all 27-year-old Froslid comes up with this: "Ten years from now I want soccer to be one of the pre-eminent sports in America.'' Who is this man so willing to stick his neck out in a land where gridiron is cast on the national consciousness? Froslid is the Communications Coordinator/National Teams Press Officer for US soccer, and as such was a key figure behind the recent Pan-Am Games warm-up matches in Orlando, in which Bermuda's Under-23 team participated.

The US fielded two sides in the games -- their Under-21 and Under-23 sides.

Anyone who thought these would be friendly friendlies soon had the notion booted into touch, so to speak.

While Bermuda pulled off a battling 1-0 triumph over the Under-23s, they fell to earth against the younger team, losing 3-0.

"There is a lot of pride involved when anyone pulls on a US shirt,'' says Froslid, when quizzed about the obvious enthusiasm and motivation of the US players, coaches and scouts.

For Froslid, US soccer has reached a critical period.

"Critical in the fact we have recently hosted what many believe to have been the greatest World Cup in history. "TV viewership was big, and spectators brought 3.6 million tickets.

"Just the atmosphere for 31 days was totally amazing, and I think Americans were taken by surprise by the popularity of the sport throughout the world.

"So now we've reached a point where we can do one of two things. We can ride this incredible wave of enthusiasm and awareness and try to build something, or else we can sit back and be satisfied with what we have done.'' Of course, attempting to ride the wave into something more permanent is Froslid's wish. And to accomplish this a televised professional major soccer league is a must.

Froslid states there are plans to have such a league up and running by April, 1996, featuring initially 10 teams playing in 10,000 or 20,000-seat stadiums.

"This is no pipe dream. Having a league was a mandate set down by FIFA prior to the World Cup.'' But will the proposed major league soccer attract sponsorship? Froslid points out Nike has already put up money, and is the sponsor behind the new national strip.

"We expect to get many more sponsors over the next few months. Obviously the support is out there. You don't sell 3.6 million World Cup tickets without there being any interest.

"Soccer is the second most popular sport with kids in the US after basketball.'' But what about American football? "Not many kids play American football. It's expensive just to buy all the gear, and you also get injured. Parents don't want their children getting hurt.

"About 16 million play soccer in some shape or form and 12 million are under the age of 18. It is the fastest growing sport in the US.'' Froslid is careful not to exaggerate soccer's current standing throughout America.

"Soccer is not in the mainstream in this country because we don't have a professional league.

"Once we have one in place it is proven by the World Cup people will come to games. You can still see people wearing World Cup hats and T-shirts. With a televised league players will soon become role models for the young.'' But even after the World Cup, isn't soccer just too alien to Americans' psyche to really grab their interest? For a start Americans appear to be turned off by a game which doesn't produce many goals in a match.

Froslid admits this is a problem, even after rule changes designed to encourage more attacking play.

But the problem is really one of education, and learning even 0-0 draws can be exciting, he says.

And there are signs for optimism, claims Froslid, a US citizen of Norwegian stock who used to play soccer as a way of keeping himself in condition for ice hockey.

The media, for instance, already has a better understanding of soccer, knowing what is meant by a volley, lob or bicycle kick.

"During the World Cup soccer fans were made out of people who did not know anything about soccer.'' In a country dominated by television, media interest is crucial, says Froslid.

US schoolchildren are also far more knowledgeable about soccer these days. Ten years ago children were not given proper coaching because there were no home-grown coaches.

Now, however, the situation has changed, says Froslid.

"People who received coaching are now able to give something back to the game. My generation are the first to do this.'' With a steady increase in numbers playing soccer in high schools and colleges over the last five to 10 years, Froslid is confident the world's most popular sport can finally conquer America, once a league is established.

"We are not trying to be another National Football League,'' Froslid stresses. "Our target is to play in 10,000 or 20,000-seat stadiums.'' Will soccer ever replace American football as the nation's number one sport? Froslid replied with tact.

Maybe in 10 years it could rank somewhere alongside football, he says.