The funny thing is that better surface benefits them more because they're fairly skilled on the ball. Crappy surface just make them revisit Denver again. I think they'll be filing a protest against themselves.
I thought I saw an announcement that they were not thinking about it, but in fact had already arranged it.
Ooooohh! So wish we had done that weeks ago. "March 27, 2013 -- The USSF filed a formal protest with FIFA today in light of reports that Costa Rica may consider the possibility in the future of deciding whether or not to stage a match against the United States on the artificial turf at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa during the current CONCACAF Qualifying tournament for the 2014 World Cup, or future World Cup Qualifying tournaments, other competions, and / or international exhibition matches as yet to be scheduled . . . ."
What's funny is all the CR fans who came in and slammed us for what happened in Den, yet rumors about CR playing in Saprissa to take advantage of the shitty turf has already been there for months. So bitch and moan about our surface while working to take advantage of a shitty surface against us when we visit. Zero hypocrisy there. Really what needs to happen is CONCACAF needs to increase their standards for pitches.
Wrong ! . crapy surface benefits the team with more skill, they lost to US but outplayed us, even in the snow. They had more possesion, created more scoring chances and had more shots on goal. A good surface benefits us, not them.
I agree. We don't rely on keeping the ball on the ground so we can deal with a bad surface over a team that wants to play pretty and keep possession.
And yet the US played better in Denver early in the game when the snow was not bad. As the game went on, and the snow got worse, Costa Rica took control of the game.
I figured they'd be playing the US at Saprissa before the Snow Bowl. That game just made it more likely that they'd choose the stadium without the running track.
I'd also throw in the fact that we weren't attacking in numbers in the second half. We were content with a 1-0 win.
Parking lots are great for soccer. I used to play on them a lot. It would make more sense to hold the training session in a bunker. 'Cause that's gonna be our game plan again
It has only a one star rating but it looks like that is enough to allow them to play according to section 9 of this doc. http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/pitchequip/fqc_football_turf_folder_342.pdf
Page 8: MULTI-USAGE Today, the financial situation has become one of the most important components of any football club. In order to cover the increasing costs, additional revenue streams are necessary. The newest generation of artificial surfaces with playing characteristics similar to natural turf, low maintenance, longer playing hours and the multi-usage possibilities meets the demands of a modern football field. It can be used almost 24 hours a day and seven days a week. In addition to training sessions and matches of various teams, it can be hired out to companies and municipalities for all kind of events. “… Besides hosting FIFA World Cup qualification matches, we have successfully held concerts and trade-shows on this field. We have almost recouped the investment within a year …” - Mario Jiménez Commercial Manager, Saprissa Stadium