Travel/Tickets: USA versus Guatemala in Guatemala City 6/12/2012

From some Guate fans on pregame at Mateo Flores, sounds pretty cool:

" For qualifier games it gets pretty crazy.. Little stands that sell food and beer surround the whole stadium, or you can hit a number of bars that surround the stadium as well (although those bars are up the hill as the stadium sits at the bottom). To be honest, it's more fun to just sit at one of the little stands that are down in front of the stadium.. They'll have stools and stuff like that, plus you'll be able to take in all the atmosphere."

Mouth-watering.......

We had a decent group for the qualifiers last cycle. Before the match there is a good crowd outside of the stadium hanging out. Plenty of food stands and people walking around selling beers (mainly gallo if I remember correctly). Plenty of good natured trash talking with the guatemalan supporters and overall a great atmosphere

The Game may be played at the new 25,000 seater in Coatpeque, quetzaltenango

http://lared.com.gt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3047&catid=44

A lot more intimate for the USA.


here is a link to pic and video
http://www.selecciondeguatemala.net/2011/02/estadio-israel-barrios-coatepeque.html

If you have wings.. looks close but its a 2-3 hour ride from the border. not safe either.

Best bet is to fly-in. to Guatemala city then take a shuttle bus( or chicken bus depending how safe you feel) to Coatepeqe

Brand new fifa approved statdium 20k -25k) and the seats are very close to the field (intimidation factor I:e Mazatenango 2001 game). Tim howard will get abused all game. versus Mateo where they have a olympic track surrounding the field.

Guatemala would want the location that would provide the best home advantage.

you're right about that. I was in Guatemala for the last worldcup game back in 08.

If this is true then it's a world class away trip, fly into Guatemala city, stay a night in Antigua, then head over to Panajachel on the way to quetzalenango. Culture much?

also makes the logistics a lot tougher than if it is in guatemala city. means more time off from work, tougher accomodations to find and either a rental car or bus ride. id still like to go, but most likely it now means 3 days off from work which is tough.

Nevermind...

You folks might see me there; it depends on Bonnaroo...

Not that I've seen. Have to assume it will be played in Guatemala city as with all their national team games. Sounds like that other location was if the Flores stadium and the federaion couldn't agree on sponsorship rights.

I went to Guatemala for the last cycle and it was certainly a memorable experience, albeit somewhat intimidating. Do tailgate outside the stadium before the match, loads of fun.

Every cycle they always threaten to take the qualifying to Xela or some other venue for a little gamesmanship but never do. Guate is where the money is and I'd bet on it being there.

so... anybody else thinking of making the June 12 trip to Guate!?

Was actually thinking of going down to honduras for their june 8th game and then bus to guate for june 12 . Downside is missing the US/Antigua game. But the trip is top notch, a stop in copan on the way. Mostly pipe dream as my buddies are backing out. Oh well.

Highly recommend guatemala with several days on each end of the trip for siteseeing away from guatemala city.