Dominica-Mexico WCQ to be played in San Antonio

[dfb547490]

http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2004/04/19/daily28.html

Anyone else see this as a shrewd long-term move on Dominica's part?? The Dominican FA is going to make a killing off this match--60,000 fans paying $30-60+ per ticket as opposed to the 100 fans paying $1 a ticket that they would've gotten if they chose to play the match at home--on top of the hefty sum of money I'm sure they receieved from Traffic Sports to agree to play this game in San Antonio in the first place. This money (if it doesn't line the pockets of FA officials, which is probably a pretty big "if") can be used by the DFA to build up their program to a far higher level. They'll never be
able to catch up with the US, Mexico, CR, Jamaica, etc. but this payday alone, if they spend the cash wisely, could possibly propel them into the ranks of Haiti, Cuba, Barbados, etc. 5-10 years down the road.

Could we eventually see a situation where Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, and other teams with large immigrant populations in the US play all of their "away" games against minnows (not minnows as in heavy
underdogs against the top teams like Barbados, St. Vincent, and Panama, but
minnows as in they have absolutely no prayer of even keeping the scoreline remotely respectable like Dominica, the Bahamas, and Montserrat) in the US?

Could this phenomenon even extend outside CONCACAF--Italy @ Liechenstein at Giants Stadium, or Iran @ Macau in the Rose Bowl?

Regardless, us US fans need to get together a Dominica cheering section for this match. :)

[da_cfo]

Could we eventually see a situation where Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, and other teams with large immigrant populations in the US play all of their "away" games against minnows (not minnows as in heavy
underdogs against the top teams like Barbados, St. Vincent, and Panama, but
minnows as in they have absolutely no prayer of even keeping the scoreline remotely respectable like Dominica, the Bahamas, and Montserrat) in the US?

Could this phenomenon even extend outside CONCACAF--Italy @ Liechenstein at Giants Stadium, or Iran @ Macau in the Rose Bowl?


Money money money money. Money...

Money money money money. Money...

[Atouk]

Anyone else see this as a shrewd long-term move on Dominica's part?? The Dominican FA is going to make a killing off this match--60,000 fans paying $30-60+ per ticket as opposed to the 100 fans paying $1 a ticket that they would've gotten if they chose to play the match at home--on top of the hefty sum of money I'm sure they receieved from Traffic Sports to agree to play this game in San Antonio in the first place. While the San Antonio mayor "credits Dominica for agreeing to give up a home game," as I understand it, Dominica simply has no suitable place to host the match. According to FIfAWorldCup.com, Dominica is "750 sq. km. in area with under 70,000 inhabitants." According to their coach (before the last round), “Unfortunately for us, we can’t host any matches in Dominica because we don’t have a stadium, which is not good for our supporters,” Leogal told FIFAworldcup.com. So, in the previous round, for Dominica's series against the Bahamas, both matches were held in the Bahamas. I believe both matches of this round were originally thought to be held in Mexico until this San Antonio thing was agreed.

On a similar note, Belize is playing both legs of its Canada series in Canada.

Dominica story quote above: http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/040304/1/s42.html

[Mr Fish]

Speaking of money, US Soccer should get a piece of the San Antonio gate as well, no?

[LMvCP]

Speaking of money, US Soccer should get a piece of the San Antonio gate as well, no?
Why? For being good sports and helping Dominica in thier time of need.

We have a thread on this in the MExico forum.

The FMF is the one party that is not going to benefit from this..If anyone should get money it should be the FMF.

Dominica - will probably make in one night what they have made the past 10-15 years

The USSF - will get 11% off the 1st $200K at the gate and then 15% off the rest for exploiting the situation

Alamodome and city of San Ant. - increased sales

US soccer - test run marketing on a possible MLS site (which leads me to believe that certain people wanted the game there from the get go)

MExico - as one poster said in the other thread, "Probably makes more money" key work is "probably" which means we wont. Its us that will sell the product and not make one cent.. we will fill up the pockets of Dominica, USSF, Alamodome, Traffic... and test run a possible MLS site.. for the grand total of $0

Everyone seems to be looking at Domica and say, "thats great, they will make some money and have some money for thier programme" Im looking at the middle men that have no business making money off of us

[dfb547490]

There's a FIFA rule that says FAs that host friendlies in their country between 2 other countries (ie a Mexico-Poland match in the US) get a cut of the gate receipts from that match. However, I'm not sure whether that applies to WCQs or just to friendlies.

Mexico is getting something out of this--the chance to play in front of Mexican-American fans in an area of the country where the US very rarely plays. Will playing in front of a pro-Mexico crowd matter for this game? No, maybe Mexico will win 12-0 instead of 10-0, but they'd beat Dominica easily anywhere. But it could inspire young Mexican-Americans who are at their first game to support Mexico instead of the US, and it could cause more Mexicans to make the trip up to Columbus (and Edmonton if Canada goes thru to the Hex), which will help the Mexies in those games.

[gettysburg32]

Regardless, us US fans need to get together a Dominica cheering section for this match.

That's funny, lol. Hopeless, but funny.

[beachesl]

Yeah, it's really funny to hear the Mexican's complain about the fixture in San Antonio? Let's see.... you couldn't get any closer to Mexico City outside of
Mexico. There are several, daily, direct, cheap flights (and busses) for teams from various airports in Mexico. The weather is dry and hot, perfecto for los Mexicanos, not like the humidity of the Carribean. A stadium full of local or national supporters with a few dozen Carribeans lost in the crowd. No hostile crowds outside keeping their hotel keeping them up through the night. Am I missing something?

Would they rather have the fixture in nearby (for Dominica) Trinidad (remember how they whined about the stadium there in the last WCQ) or Jamaica, with their hostile pro-Carribean crowds and muggy weather. In Toronto, also with a half-million Carribeans? Do they think they have the right to have both matches in the polluted, hot, oxygen-depleted Azteca, with rude and dangerous crowds? Isn't it bad enough that they have to force other teams to play their 9 to 10 times over WCQ qualifying. Are they upset that a poor Association that can't even afford to build a proper stadium will somehow gain a little advantage or earn a little money for a change? Help, I don't understand...no comprende, amigos!

[Eric B]

Why? For being good sports and helping Dominica in thier time of need.

Hey, when it comes to soccer in the US, US Soccer runs the show. That's what FIFA says, as long as the local Fed isn't gouging.

The FMF is the one party that is not going to benefit from this..If anyone should get money it should be the FMF.

Like beaches said above, this isn't your home match. The only way the El Tri could have had a better set-up would be to have this match in Mexico itself. I think it would have been to see this match in Port of Spain, or even better, San Salvador. Were I a Sallie, I would most assuredly budget for extra plastic bags for that match!

It wouldn't surprise me if some Mexies start encouraging this more, so your boys don't have to stub their precious toes on those nasty Caribbean pitches. :D

[LMvCP]

Hey, when it comes to soccer in the US, US Soccer runs the show. That's what FIFA says, as long as the local Fed isn't gouging.

Too many middlemen are involved and everyone seems to benefit excpet Mexico. If Mexico were to benefit financially as well... yeah maybe I would be for it too...

Like beaches said above, this isn't your home match.

Beaches missed the whole point.

And this isnt your home math either.

You have Dominica, USSF, MLS, US soccer, San Antonio, CONCACAF, all benefiting from this from a financial standpoint... and the only ones who is not is the FMF.

The only way the Green Rats could have had a better set-up would be to have this match in Mexico itself. I think it would have been to see this match in Port of Spain, or even better, San Salvador.

It doesnt matter where as long as the people who are suppose to benefit are the ones benefiting and the conditions are fair.

Were I a Sallie, I would most assuredly budget for extra plastic bags for that match! It wouldn't surprise me if some Mexies start encouraging this more, so your boys don't have to stub their precious toes on those nasty Caribbean pitches.

typical :rolleyes:

[beachesl]

Well, I'm still waiting for the point.

No visiting team in a WCQ should or has a right to benefit financially. The Mexican Association was free to work something out with the Dominica Association, like Belize and Haiti and T&C and Dominica(with Bahamas) did when they played/play their home matches away. Perhaps Mexico and Dominica did talk about having it in Mexico, perhaps the Mexicans didn't come up with a fair package to have both matches in Mexico. I don't know, I can see no reason to complain.

How do we know who is financialy benefitting (other than the Mexican team on travel costs), and how? Maybe the guys in San Antonio are only doing this for publicity for the city and a possible MLS franchise? Do we know how much the ticket prices are? Maybe there won't be any profits.

Honestly, I'd like to hear the reasons. I'm Canadian, I'm really empathetic to
other nations' complaints, especially when the US is any way involved :).

[LMvCP]

Yeah, it's really funny to hear the Mexican's complain about the fixture in San Antonio? Let's see.... you couldn't get any closer to Mexico City outside of Mexico. There are several, daily, direct, cheap flights (and busses) for teams from various airports in Mexico.

and your point is?

The weather is dry and hot, perfecto for los Mexicanos, not like the humidity of the Carribean. A stadium full of local or national supporters with a few dozen Carribeans lost in the crowd. No hostile crowds outside keeping their hotel keeping them up through the night. Am I missing something?

I guess you have never been to Veracruz or the Yucatan Peninsula. THat climate is similar to the Carribean

Hostile crowds? Last time I checked, Domincan support groups do not really have to much experience in blockading hotels, keeping players up at all hours of the night. They dont even have a stadium

I dont know if you are missing something, you tell me?

Would they rather have the fixture in nearby (for Dominica) Trinidad (remember how they whined about the stadium there in the last WCQ) or Jamaica, with their hostile pro-Carribean crowds and muggy weather.

Trinidad now has some nice stadiums. Funny, Jack did have new stadiums and great pitches for the U-17 WC. THey werent world class stadiums, but they'll do


In Toronto, also with a half-million Carribeans? Do they think they have the right to have both matches in the polluted, hot, oxygen-depleted Azteca, with rude and dangerous crowds?

I dont know, but from the interview that i saw a wek ago or, they interviewed some of the players and the players said they would love to play in the great Aztec Stadium.

Rude and dangerous crowds? I dont know what them soccer moms told you, but a game in Azteca with an opponant like Dominica, they would not act hostile towards Dominica... they would be hostile towrds the Mexican National Team. If they dont score enough, you can bet that the crowd will cheer when Dominica has the ball (just to ********** with the Mexican players because in thier mind, Dominica should not even get passed halfway marker). And speaking of crowds... i dont see more than 40K tops....

But we will never know because the game will be played at Victoria Stadium, not Aztec stadium

Isn't it bad enough that they have to force other teams to play their 9 to 10 times over WCQ qualifying. Are they upset that a poor Association that can't even afford to build a proper stadium will somehow gain a little advantage or earn a little money for a change? Help, I don't understand...no comprende, amigos!

Did i ever say i was against Dominica benefiting? I am against all the middlemen benefiting because of Dominica's situation. Thats exploiting them. I am also against other organizations benefiting at our expense with us not gaining anything. THis stuff about.. "well at least you are not playing on a horrible pitch" does not fly because regulations state that playing conditions have to be adequate.. so we shouldnt even have to ask.. this stuff about "you will play in front of a Pro-Mexican crowd" i dont buy. I dont think we need a pro mexican crowd to beat them

[beachesl]

Yeah, I've been to Veracruz and the Yucatan. I love Mexico and Mexicans.
And, I know that most Mexicans (and Mexican players) and teams are from either the high centre or north, which does not have the tropical humidity.

Paz .

[Eric B]

Did i ever say i was against Dominica benefiting? I am against all the middlemen benefiting because of Dominica's situation. Thats exploiting them. I am also against other organizations benefiting at our expense with us not gaining anything.

So you're upset that the FMF doesn't get to exploit Dominica's situation like everyone else?

[monster]

Regardless, us US fans need to get together a Dominica cheering section for this match.

That's funny, lol. Hopeless, but funny.
If it were closer, I would. A buddy spent almost a year on Dominica in the Peace Corps so I have a soft spot for them. He played in their first division while he was stationed there.

[gettysburg32]

Just for curiousity. Here's a fifa article about Dominica. Really not much new information, just interesting.

http://www.fifa.com/en/display/article,74899.html

[gohb]

Just for curiousity. Here's a fifa article about Dominica. Really not much new information, just interesting.

http://www.fifa.com/en/display/article,74899.html

It's astonishing how often FIFA puts outdated information on its own websites. The games were originally expected to be at the Azteca (and in my own online piece I mistakenly assumed they would be) but by now FIFA should know that it looks like San Antonio and Aguascalientes.

[law5guy]

On a similar note, Belize is playing both legs of its Canada series in Canada.


Another US hosted WQC -
12-Jun-2004 MIAMI (USA) Haiti - Jamaica 19:30