(Crimson Sports Editor Robert W. Gerlach takes a look at the prospect for Harvard sports in 1971, beginning with soccer, in the article which follows, A close-up examination of the Crimson football fortunes will appear in Wednesday's Crimson.)

SOCCER - Coach Bruce Munro's squad probably has the greatest potential of any of the fall teams. Munro also will face the greatest challenge of any of the Fall coaches, for the soccer team's talents could lead to widespread glee or frustration.

Coming off a perfect record and a close elimination in the 1969 NCAA national semifinals, last year's squad was torn by disappointments. The squad was undefeated once again, but it rarely overwhelmed opponents with high calibre soccer, and an annoying season was ended abruptly with a disappointing loss in the NCAA quarterfinals.

Throughout the winter and spring accusations and blame were tossed between coach and players and the dispute went all the way to the Faculty Committee on Athletics. The conflict concluded with a new assistant coach and a new awareness on the part of all parties of the seriousness and depth of dissatisfaction.

Both coach and players will be much more sensitive this fall--hopefully more sensitive in an understanding rather than a resentful vein.

On the field, Harvard has more talent than any other Eastern team. Returning are All-American candidates in goalie Shep Messing, fullback Chris Wilmot, and forwards Charlie Thomas and Phil Kydes. The big names missing are top scorer Sol Gomez and goalie Bill Meyers, but with Messing in the net and record-setting freshman Felix Adedeji, Gomez and Meyers will not be missed for long.

Munro's main concern will be filling gaps on the wings of the halfback and fullback lines. Sophomores Rick Scott and Emmanuel Ekama had outstanding first years on the varsity defense and Munro will need more help from the new sophomores.

Strategically, Munro will have to develop a game plan that can inspire the players. Last season's 4-4-2 was a slow, cautious attack that did not capture the fire of the team and created nerve-wracking one-goal victories. Especially with the weaker defense this fall, the Crimson will need to score more.

The Ivy League title seems well within reach, but the players have become accustomed to more than regional honors. The national title may be beyond the talents of the team. In any case, Munro will be challenged to meet the squad's desire to be more than just a good New England team.

CROSS COUNTRY--After two consecutive undefeated seasons, the bubble burst for coach Bill McCurdy and his long-distance runners last season. Injuries and bad luck followed a squad that McCurdy felt had the potential to be his best ever--which is saying quite a bit for a man who carries winning percentage of over .700 through 20 seasons as head coach.

Gone from last year's team are four top seniors, including Jon Enscoe, Dave Pottetti and Tom Spengler, but the harriers should be well-balanced again this season. Seniors Mike Koerner and Bob Seals are joined by a flock of sophomores, many of whom were injured during their first varsity season in 1970-71. The strength of that now-junior contingent is shown by their unbeaten freshman record in 1969 and several strong performances last year.

McCurdy's dual meet winning streak of 35 victories, which extended over five years, came to an end last fall, but McCurdy is never down for long and he is counting on this year's team to make a strong showing. If everything falls into place, the 1971 season could mark the beginning of another long winning streak.

BASKETBALL--Last winter was the year of the sophomores, and although some players had hoped for more than second place in the Ivy League, coach Bob Harrison's squad compiled the best Crimson record since 1957 and the best finish ever in the Ivy League.

Back from last season's supersophs are forwards Floyd Lewis. James Brown and Marshall Sanders and guard Gene Wilkenson. Each of these players had the potential to break open an Ivy League game single-handedly last year. Unfortunately, that was the team's main problem. While the five starters were fine shooters and players at their position, as a coordinated team the Crimson resembled strangers. Harvard was continually unable to set up and often forced into bad shots.

With playmaker Dale Dover gone, the problem is greatly increased. And the new talent coming from the freshman team aggravates the challenge. Forward Tony Jenkins set a Yardling scoring record last winter and single-handedly carried an otherwise mediocre freshman squad. Transfer student Jim Fitzsimmons promises to be a top scorer after starring at Duke for one semester. But again, Fitzsimmons is the hot outside shooter rather than the playmaker.