usa soccer will no longer be playing games in birmingham [Archive]

soccrplayr21

20 Oct 2005, 06:09 AM

FC Tallavana

20 Oct 2005, 07:17 AM

thanks once again to the wonderful leaders of this great city, who happen to care nothing about soccer even though its the only meaningful thing to happen at legion field in the last 10 years.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1129800207227710.xml&coll=2

It seems to be more of a business decision than an anti-soccer position. But, I guess you're just venting, so I'll leave ya alone. ;)

D-Wall

20 Oct 2005, 08:00 AM

That stinks. How many fans come out to High School Football games in Alabama? Plus having a 3-4 month season probably won't amount to having the sheer numbers of a US game in Legion Field. Plus how much are tickets down there for the HS games?

That park commission and Mayor will realize the lost tax revenue when US Soccer tells them flat out they won't play there next year forward.

RobtheAggie

20 Oct 2005, 10:11 AM

Ouch. This is too bad. That begs the question of where is the Southeast does the USMNT play matches? Charlotte?

TheYank

20 Oct 2005, 10:15 AM

Ouch. This is too bad. That begs the question of where is the Southeast does the USMNT play matches? Charlotte?
I can't remember the last time the USMNT played in Charlotte, or in NC for that matter.

And is that RobTheAggie as in Texas A&M?

RobtheAggie

20 Oct 2005, 10:19 AM

And is that RobTheAggie as in Texas A&M?

NMSU

RobtheAggie

20 Oct 2005, 10:23 AM

I can't remember the last time the USMNT played in Charlotte, or in NC for that matter.

The question is posed better this way. Not that it looks like B-ham is out of the picture for USMNT matches, where does the fed look to keep its imprint in the Southeast.

One of the great goals in the run-up to WC02 by Eddie Lewis was scored at Legion Field. It does have a good history of pro-American support, despite the Guatamala match. Thanks Legion Field.

babytiger2001

20 Oct 2005, 10:24 AM

Ouch. This is too bad. That begs the question of where is the Southeast does the USMNT play matches? Charlotte?

I don't think Charlotte would be such a bad choice, seeing how soccer facilities and infrastructures have been upgraded there in the recent past.

But my god, what a bad break for fans in Birmingham, given the on-field and gate success for USMNT matches there (friendlies and meaningful matches alike).

TheYank

20 Oct 2005, 10:27 AM

Raleigh and the capital area might be a decent choice as well....but I would still vote Charlotte.

FirstStar

20 Oct 2005, 10:31 AM

speedcake

20 Oct 2005, 10:33 AM

USSoccer needs to give some love to Charlotte. This area of the state is a youth soccer hotbed (much like Northern Virginia). Also, NC has the fastest growing Hispanic population in the country right now-- fertile ground seeded with lots of people predisposed to go to soccer matches. Common-- give us some games!!!!

When has a fast growing hispanic population translated to great numbers of hispanic U.S. Men's National Team supporters in the stands?

Dave Marino-Nachison

20 Oct 2005, 10:38 AM

NMSU

Huh, never would have guessed.

My folks just moved to Las Cruces. Apparently they've come to realize that without at least a surface knowledge of Aggie football, they'll be social outcasts to the end of their days... As a result, they've been dutifully poring through the media guide...

SABuffalo786

20 Oct 2005, 10:43 AM

Their loss.

Come the next hexagonal, we'll have plenty of shiny new SSS to play in.

RobtheAggie

20 Oct 2005, 10:45 AM

Huh, never would have guessed.

My folks just moved to Las Cruces. Apparently they've come to realize that without at least a surface knowledge of Aggie football, they'll be social outcasts to the end of their days... As a result, they've been dutifully poring through the media guide...
This is a sad year for NMSU football, wait there have been many sad years for NMSU football.

I seem to remember USMNT playing at Davidson in the 90s. I think that the team has outgrown that.

Atlanta does not have a stadium, that is why other than B-Ham, the only place that seems to make sense is Charlotte. Stadium wise, location, etc.

texgator

20 Oct 2005, 10:46 AM

That stinks. How many fans come out to High School Football games in Alabama?
Are you asking if high school football is popular in the South?? Ummm...yeah....it is.

FabFiveFigo

20 Oct 2005, 10:47 AM

USSoccer needs to give some love to Charlotte. This area of the state is a youth soccer hotbed (much like Northern Virginia). Also, NC has the fastest growing Hispanic population in the country right now-- fertile ground seeded with lots of people predisposed to go to soccer matches. Common-- give us some games!!!!

I second the motion.

I can drag at least a dozen fans to the game. That's got to count for something.

FC Tallavana

20 Oct 2005, 10:53 AM

Why not Nashville?

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/united_states/tennessee/nashville_coliseum1.jpg

CrewDust

20 Oct 2005, 10:56 AM

Has Legion Field been condemmed yet?

Reccossu

20 Oct 2005, 11:08 AM

Because I am a Nats fan in Birmingham I hate to see this, but I certainly don't think it has anything to do with anti-soccer. To the contrary, my instinct is that this would have been done a couple of years ago but for soccer. Money is money. Maybe UAB will build its own 35k stadium in the near term and plan for soccer there.

Bellus Ludas

20 Oct 2005, 11:18 AM

No offense...but I have sat in the stands at Legion Field to watch the Nats play and Legion Field is an old, run down stadium in a bad part of town.

This is not a great venue and there are others close by that are excellent.
Nashville is a great example.

I have worked personally with Gene and know what a great job he has done staging events in Bham. I feel for him and the Bham soccer community, but the bottom line is that this may turn out best for US Soccer and our Team.