With the hex set, does the RioT have a chance of hosting a game like we did last hex? The biggest complaint from that match, from what I remember, is that we had a sizable El Salvador fan base. I understand that, but honestly, is there a place in this country where we have a 100% or even 80% home field against these nations? I hope we get another shot. The players said they loved it here both when it was @ RES and @ the RioT. Which game should the RioT get? Where would you want the other matches? My picks: Mexico - Columbus (Crew Stadium) Costa Rica - DC (RFK) Jamaica - Houston (BBVA) Panama - Kansas City (LSP) Honduras - Salt Lake (RioT)
I'd prefer Jamaica or Costa Rica because of RSL ties. Mexico will probably never play the USMNT here.
I would think Jamaica would be cool....and I would think geographic wise, they would have the least of opposing fan base.
Remember, we hosted Costa Rica once before (in 2005, at RES) and it was very successful. 45k fans, 90% backing the U.S. Final score was 3-0. I don't see any reason why we couldn't do the same again.
Just don't go head to head vs. both Utah and BYU football (vs. Oklahoma iirc). Jamaica/Honduras would be my pref. I wouldn't want to deal with split loyalties on CRC, like wanting the US to win but Sabo to rock and score.
I don't care which one we get, so long as we get one. However, if I could chose, I'd go with Honduras as they are a side we haven't had in utah yet and the altitude should effect their players. Hosting Costa Rica, as Quib said, would be hard as I'd want Sabo to score just to stick it to that asshole who keeps going on his "Trade Sabo" rants on twitter. Also, if DSG gets one over us I'll be pissed. They don't deserve one at all.
Did Utah or BYU effect RSL or USMNT attendance before? I seem to remember RSL being shockingly resistant to attendance drop even when those others, & Jazz, have had home matches.
In previous years, RSL has scheduled around the BYU and Utah games. Also, IIRC the El Salvador game wasn't the fastest selling game. I don't remember if it was a sellout, but they were promoting it up until game time. My seats were right in the middle of a group of ES supporters, but it was one of the most fun games I can remember attending. My wife still sings the "El Salvador!" chant.
Completely incorrect, the one time RSL did schedule head to head with both Utah and BYU home football games RSL sold out their game and had 20k+ in attendance. I cant remember which game it was, but RSL did make a big deal out of it on facebook, that much I do remember. if the US were to host a WCQ match at the RioT and it went head to head with a Utah or BYU game I have absolutely ZERO doubt in my mind that it would sell out. RSL's attendance and fanbase is mature enough at this point where the demand for such a game would be incredibly high. And given the current status of both the Utah and BYU football teams (both doing relatively poorly/having disappointing seasons), it wouldnt be a concern IMO.
I believe this was the one complaint from the one time the RioT hosted a WCQ match, I actually don't think it completely sold out. The WCQ against Costa Rica also did not sell out, but was very close to doing so at RES, I believe there were around 43k announced attendance for the Costa Rica match, RES holds a little more than 45k. That was one of the funnest matches I have ever been to in my life, I took my dad for fathers day and we really enjoyed the double header even though RSL got smoked by Dallas after the US match.
Getting Jamaica just because Andy used to play for on their national team. I think that would be awesome and another chance for RSL to honor him.
It would have sold out/sold out faster if the USMNT prices weren't so high. Weren't they $35 for the cheapest seats?
Would it be awesome? very would it be a pro mexico crowd? Have you been to the friendlies we've had with Chivas/America? We would be one of the worst options for the Mexico match. In fact, I think only the HDC would have a less pro-USA crowd
Heck, I remember the friendly we had against Santos at RES. There were more Santos fans there than there were RSL fans. (but that didn't really hurt the atmosphere. The Santos fans were more fun than some of the RSL stiffs I used to sit by.)
Exactly. People cite marketing trends for regular RSL games - and it's an apples and oranges comparison. To make the most of the USMNT visit you have to pull out all the stops, make it easier for traveling fans, make sure you can cater to the local well-heeled for a 'big name' event and so on. Selling out the RIOT for a National team game is not the same as filling the barn for SnoCross or a game against the Rapids. Totally different economics.
The CCL final on the other hand was overwhelmingly pro-RSL. Is there any chance US Soccer could get away with selling a portion of tickets to RSL season ticket holders before allowing others to buy? Are RSL fans pro-USMNT enough for that to work?
How RSL friendly would the CCL final have been had it not been for holding out as long as possible before opening up the ticket purchases to the general crowd? I'd like to think it still would've been pro RSL, but I think there would've been more support for Monterrey had general sales happened sooner.
No We have (gasp) mexican fans that are RSL fans. Also, CCL was very pro-RSL because it was Monterrey. Had it been Chivas, America, or even Pumas... it would have been 50/50 or close to
I wonder how many of those fans are converts from the friendlies we had in the early days. Santos, Boca, etc.
