Rothenberg to Seek U.S. Soccer Post

Los Angeles attorney Alan Rothenberg, as expected, has declared himself a candidate for the presidency of the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Rothenberg, 51, former president of the Clippers and, in the late ‘70s, a part-owner of the Los Angeles Aztecs of the North American Soccer League, served as the commissioner of soccer for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Rothenberg says that because of his Olympic involvement, he has a close association with FIFA, the world governing body for soccer, which will select the U.S venues for the 1994 World Cup.

Rothenberg is president of the California State Bar Assn., but his term will expire next month.

The election for USSF president will be held Aug. 5 during the federation’s annual meetings in Orlando, Fla. The term will be for four years.

Rothenberg said recently that officials of FIFA have been in contact with him since before the World Cup.

Observers say a Rothenberg presidency would to boost the Southland’s chances of holding the ’94 World Cup final.