During the summertime, soccer takes a back seat to baseball in terms of popularity in the U.S.

But there are interesting things happening in the soccer world and NIU head soccer coach Willy Roy has strong opinions about some of the more interesting events of recent months.

First there was the incident involving former Chicago Sting star Karl-Heinz Granitza that took place last month.

Granitza, who was coached by Roy while both were with the Sting, was reportedly deeply in debt because his restaurant was going bankrupt and suddenly “disappeared.” Granitza then resurfaced in Germany several days after the story of his “disappearance” was printed.

“I don’t know all the details about this, but he (Granitza) said he would return in July,” Roy said. “He was a great player for Chicago, but some athletes seem to think that if they are good players they can open up restaurants.

“Jim McMahon and Gary Fencik opened up their own restaurants and where are they now? They’re gone,” Roy said.

Another hot topic in the soccer world has been the steady improvement of the U.S. national soccer team.

Roy feels the team is on the right track, but is in need of an offensive threat to compliment its defense.

“Defensively the U.S. has held their own,” Roy said. “But, they need to develop more of an offensive threat.

“The U.S. may have to swallow a couple of defeats to get going and do whatever it takes to develop an offense that will score more goals and play attacking soccer.”

As for coaching the national team, Roy would like to stay where he’s at.

“I’m happy at NIU,” Roy said.