The first home qualifier will be in...

[BuffloSoldier]

...Birmingham. 8pm start, March 30th.

[Davids26]

Not that I doubt you're wrong, but what source???

[GPK]

He's got press cred. I'd believe him.

[Davids26]

I believe him, I guess I just want to know where he found out, as is common practice on BS when something like this happens...

[SABuffalo786]

The fed confirms:

http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=135315


Also, what's up with the 2:30 Wednesday start in TNT?


Really not feeling all these Wednesday games, although I'm pumped the first home venue is in the southeast.

[Atouk]

It's now on the USSF website:
http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=135315

Don't recall if this is new, but that press release also lists the T&T game at Queen's Park Oval, rather than Hasley Crawford Stadium, and lists the Mexico game at Azteca.

CHICAGO (December 20, 2004) — The United States Men’s National Team will open its home schedule of final round qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, March 30, 2005 at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala. Kickoff against Guatemala is set for 7 p.m. CT, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2. Fans can also follow the match on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker, presented by Philips Electronics.

[CG]

...Birmingham. 8pm start, March 30th.
Result!!!!!!

[Crewmudgeon]

I thought Legion Field was being renovated. The last I heard was that the upper deck was condemned. Does anyone form Alabama know if this is true?

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1092907065326650.xml

Regardless, I'm happy to be going someplace new and different, and look forward to some southern hospitality.

[StillKickin]

I'm making my plans. That's about a 12-hour drive for me. Road Trip!!

[MT mojo]

Finally they make an announcement. Another update says there is going to be a friendly at HDC on January 22nd. Except Sweden and Korea are playing instead of the US.
The first 2 road qualifiers are going to be on TV, right?

[Pauncho]

What's the story on live TV for at T&T? I have to tell my employer if I'll be taking that afternoon off by Thursday.

[Caveat Lector]

I've been to a couple of games there and recall it being a great place to play ... not to mention tailgate ... i fired up a huge BBQ in the parking lot w/o any trouble.

good choice, i think.

[Davids26]

I imagine that ESPN2 will show the T&T game live. I remember in 2000 against Barbados the match kicked off at 2:30 and they showed it live.

More incentive for the fans to want to get this done. But I wouldn't go out and buy tickets to this match until this labor dispute is settled. Hopefully if the USSF realizes that they're not selling many tickets it'll be more incentive for them to want to get this thing done and over with...

[Mikeymike15]

I thought Legion Field was being renovated. The last I heard was that the upper deck was condemned. Does anyone form Alabama know if this is true?

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1092907065326650.xml

Regardless, I'm happy to be going someplace new and different, and look forward to some southern hospitality.

Lol...with the upperdeck making up 9,000 of the 81,000 seats, i think we'll be ok with the remaining 72,000 seats even though it would totally awesome to fill the place! ;)

[Eric B]

More incentive for the fans to want to get this done. But I wouldn't go out and buy tickets to this match until this labor dispute is settled. Hopefully if the USSF realizes that they're not selling many tickets it'll be more incentive for them to want to get this thing done and over with...

Except for those of us that cheer for the front of the uniform, not the back. The reason I probably won't make this game is because I'm broke, not because Joe Enochs might be out on the field instead of Carlos Bocanegra.

As for B-ham, I've heard there is a decent Costa Rican presence along the Gulf Coast, is this similar for Chapines? And yes, I know Birmingham's not on the coast, but I saw cars filled with Mexicans with Illinois, Iowa, and Tennessee license plates back in Columbus in 2001, so I know ex-pats will travel.

[nicodemus]

I'm so pumped about this game. Though I live in Florida, I'm from Birmingham and will be back home for this one NO DOUBT about it! My brother (pvan4) & I will put some super stuff together for this one! I'm so psyched!!

[Davids26]

Except for those of us that cheer for the front of the uniform, not the back. The reason I probably won't make this game is because I'm broke, not because Joe Enochs might be out on the field instead of Carlos Bocanegra.



I love US Soccer, but when it seems that the Fed has been low-balling the players and let the negotiations go this far, I have no sympathy. I have a hard time giving money to them when they won't work for the right solution. The right solution is fielding the guys that are supposed to be out there. I'd watch, but definitely wouldn't spend a dime going to this match or any match where I have to watch guys that struggle to get time in the German Third Division represent the US....

[nicodemus]

As for B-ham, I've heard there is a decent Costa Rican presence along the Gulf Coast, is this similar for Chapines? And yes, I know Birmingham's not on the coast, but I saw cars filled with Mexicans with Illinois, Iowa, and Tennessee license plates back in Columbus in 2001, so I know ex-pats will travel. The only team we'd really have to worry about as far as the population of Birmingham is concerned is Mexico. That'd be an away match for sure. We should be fine with Guatemala, assuming the American fans will come out on a Wednesday.

[Eric B]

Also interesting that they're dribbling out the venues again, just like in 2001. Not like they could use the extra time to market these games :rolleyes:

[Octavius Agustus]

It's now on the USSF website:

.....................and lists the Mexico game at Azteca.

Gracias a Dios!!! :D