kernel_thai True, but if you follow this logic, we would get rid of every single event starting with the Summer Olympics (the costs of the 2004 OG in Athens contributed towards the Greek financial crisis) Hosting a big event is and will always be a costly business but it can be bring some long-term profits (after all, most of the arenas are multifuncional). The problem is that not everyone can see the event as an opportunity. Btw. I'm pretty sure there are a few countries that wouldn't mind hosting the 2019 Cup. However, if Japan decides to bid for 2019, they will most likely get it. So, a great number of potential 2019 bidders might want to focus on 2023 or 2027 instead. holden I wouldn't mind the World Cup coming back to the U.S. every 16 years
As interesting as the discussion of future WWCs might be, (I definitely have some things I want to contribute to this conversation,) you guys let one of WPS_M's errant posts drag the thread off-topic. Let's get back to discussing the 2015 WWC, shall we?
Commonwealth Stadium seats set up early Chandra Lye, CTV Edmonton August 11, 2013 Installation of new green and gold seats wrapped up earlier than expected at Commonwealth Stadium Sunday. Officials said the upgrade for the stadium was originally expected to be completed up at the end of October. They credited work crews for the early finish and said the new seats made the stadium a world-class facility. "It’s an iconic facility in our city and it’s an iconic facility in our nation,” the City’s manager of Recreation Facility Services said. “This will be a stadium where people will want to watch a football game,” Edmonton Eskimos president and CEO Len Rhodes added. “It’s a brand new stadium.” Rhodes said it was time for an upgrade as the old seats were originally installed in 1978. “They endured winters, summers, rain, sleet and hail. I think they lasted longer than anyone anticipated.” It cost $11.9 million for the 56,000 seats, with City Council covering $4 million. A five per cent levy on all seat sales for the next decade is expected to make up the remaining funds. Officials said the new seats are more comfortable as they feature armrests, cup holders and are slighter roomier than the previous models. Further changes are in store for Commonwealth including a retrofit of the visiting team’s locker room, two new locker rooms, a new Jumbotron scoreboard and sound system as well as a repaving of parking lots B and C on the northside of the stadium.
No, they're a new feature being tested by FIFA (for the 2015 WWC) to enable goalkeepers to more accurately judge the distance (and hence speed) of opponent shots. The goal (pardon the expression) is to help limit the alarmingly high scoring totals in women's soccer.
City of Ottawa August 14, 2013 - Priming and painting of the large metal beams in the north stands has started - At the south stands, concrete supports for the bleachers at the top of the stands are half done - The contractor has started to install waterproofing and conduit for mechanical and plumbing systems on the first level, as well as to pour the finish concrete floor Overlooking the stadium from one of the tower cranes along Bank Street. The new roof over the north stands is progressing and the third storey of the south stands is moving ahead. The concrete skeleton of the south stands is almost complete. The concrete support beams for the tiered seating at the third stands is now being built. At the east end of the north stands a new stairway and pedestrian entry is being built. At the rear of the south stands, the building is being backfilled. Supports on the second and first floor have been removed and electrical and mechanical conduit is being installed throughout the building.
They could place streamers on those tall yellow things to better judge wind direction...maybe FIFA flags instead of streamers.
City of Ottawa August 23, 2013 - The painting of the large roof beams in the stadium continues; one beam over the north stands remains to be painted. - Inside the Civic Centre, scaffolding is being built to facilitate repairs to the arena roof. - At the south stands, work to build the final supports for seating at the top of the stands is nearing completion. - Inside the south stands, electrical and mechanical conduit and plumbing is being installed, and partition walls are being put up. The structure of the south stands rises above the Rideau Canal. Scaffolding is up to allow for the painting of the large roof beams in the north stands. The concrete structure of the south stands is nearing completion. At the north stands, the roof structure is in place, the beams are being painted and the precast concrete is being repaired for the new seat installation. At the very top of the south stands, yellow supports posts hold concrete form work in place while the new concrete beams for the seating curs.
City of Ottawa September 27, 2013 - At the north stands, seats have started to be installed. It will take a couple of months to install all the seats. - Other preparation work continues for repairs to the arena roof. - At the south stands, precast concrete risers and dividers are being installed at the suite and upper levels. - On the main concourse level, new concessions are being built and building systems are being installed. - The anchor bases for the Veil have been installed. The north stands’ new look is taking shape with a new roof, repaired concrete and new seats. New seats are now being installed at the north stands. It will take a couple of months to install all the seating. At the top level of the south stands, the base supports for the seating is in place. The concrete building structure for the new south stands is almost complete; yellow support posts are being removed from the upper levels at the west end.
The only advantage to this new "system" of urs is to make it easier for the official place the wall 10 yards back.
My updated predictions on the 2015 WWC field of teams. Host: Canada CONCACAF: USA, Mexico, Costa Rica CONMEBOL: Brazil, Colombia, Argentina UEFA: Germany, France, Sweden, Noway, England, Switzerland, Italy, Spain CAF: Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa AFC: Japan, Australia, China, South Korea, Thailand OFC: New Zealand Group A: Canada, England, South Korea, Argentina Group B: Japan, Norway, Nigeria, Costa Rica Group C: France, Italy, Colombia, Thailand Group D: USA, Australia, Switzerland, South Africa Group E: Germany, Mexico, China, Spain Group F: Brazil, Sweden, New Zealand, Ghana Lots of intriguing match-ups within these groups. With the recent improvement of New Zealand, Group F becomes the Group of Death. Brazil vs. Sweden, Brazil vs. New Zealand, and Sweden vs. New Zealand, are all monster battles. Group C is the Group of Life. Italy will win their Euro Qualifying group, and sneak in as a #2 seed in their group. Spain becomes the 8th and final UEFA team to Qualify. But could they upset Germany in Group E? Mexico gets in with a higher position since they will finish 2nd in CONCACAF qualifying (as Canada is Host).
without lengthy details, how do they determine the groups? i would think after the abomination olympics by the uswnt they would get a group of death. i predict they won't get a single call in their favor in canada. what are the odds of them getting pia/sweden in their group again? all the better to turn wambach into a 20-30 min forward and go with the three housemen if nike and their 12M a year sponsorship to USSoccer can deal with it. Brazil is going to upset someone in the 1st round of eliminations.
They have one seeded group, and the rest are grouped by continental zone so that (aside from some Europe-heavy groups) no group has more than one team from the same confederation. Canada will be seeded as hosts, and then I would think the other five seeded teams would be USA, GER, SWE, BRA, and JPN. I don't think there will be a "group of death" at all this tournament, especially since four groups will have an extra team progress and there will be weak teams coming in through the last slot or two in CAF, AFC, and CONCACAF. Likewise, I don't think BRA is going to "upset" anyone, considering they're ranked fourth already and probably won't drop (because they'll probably win their qualifying competition as well).
Does anybody feel that in women's soccer there's a jinx for the host nation? I can't remember when the last time a host nation won? My best guess is the USA in 1999. But since then, whether it's the wc, Olympics, Euro's or even youth tournaments, when did a home side win? even though some of them were the favorites like USA in 2003 & Germany in 2011, or even Sweden in this year's euro.
Canada won't be a favourite and will have a hard time doing worse than Germany. Playing in the same continent/region has it's advantages (and the Euro was true to form: Germany v Norway, Sweden v Denmark). The USA will be very comfortable.
A little pictorial update of facilities for the 2015 WWC. Since the last image showing, Edmonton has completed its seat upgrade, the Winnipeg stadium (IGF) has been completed, and the Ottawa stadium is about seven months from completion and we have a better idea of what it will look like. Posted below for Ottawa are the virtual venue graphics but you can find the latest photos of the Ottawa stadium construction in the Canadian forum New Stadium for Ottawa thread BC Place - Vancouver Commonwealth Stadium - Edmonton Investors Group Field - Winnipeg
Not just Leroux. After the Olympics, the US will only be able to count on their own away support. I think Canada would cheer Afghanistan if they were playing the USA.
Wasn't that just hearsay? Other than her tweet I think there as no evidence anything untoward occurred.
No, there were corroborating reports from other players and fans, though to what extremes is more fuzzy. Needless to say, Canadian fans have always given her a hard time ever since she suited up for the Stars and Stripes.
There are much better threads for Leroux commentary, this is a wonderful thread on a great tournament and could do without being inflamed and engulfed in other directions that take away from that. Thanks for contributing the photos. Lots of football lines. Hope the dye jobs are better than aging footballers.