I think that since Birmingham announced it will not be hosting US Nats games, it puts the pressure on US soccer to find someway to bring soccer to the southeastern US. I think Houston expansion/relocation is the best and easiest way to accomplish this.
Thoughts?
CeltTexan
24 Oct 2005, 01:29 PM
Without a doubt amigos!!!
Houston will now get what our great soccer community deserves....World Cup Qualifiers. What has always been a stumbling block is the USSF's and The Bruce's combined fear of playing the Sallies, Catrachos or Panchos in a WCQ in Texas. Understandably from a "home field" advantage standpoint I can see their concern.
However, the USSF is ignorant of the fact that half the Hex would have a pull very much a shadow of some other CONCACAF sides in Houston. Nations from this past Hex and previous ones like Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica and T&T would create a festive atmosphere for Team U.S.A. in Houston. If done right and promoted in good order (a huge task by our Fed) a Spring time WCQ with the U.S. vs. oh say...Costa Rica would be an incredible atmosphere.
Given what I saw when it was U.S.A. vs Mexico back in '03 I figure that the match would easily sellout, if ticket prices aren't so overpriced. The backing for Team U.S.A. out of the 69K would be about 35,000. An additional 3-5,000 would be Tico supporters. I was at Arrowhead in '01 when we both squared off and it was a great atmosphere! Reliant would have an even better feel and ambience. The rest would be Guanacos, Cafeteros and other CONCACAF/CONMEBOL die hards that, again if tickets are not so outrageous for an upper deck seat, would fill in the rest and if many cases give a shout for our guys.
Houston should of had a WCQ this Hex cycle and it is a shame that a crowd that was recognized by the USSF as the BEST CROWD of 2003 was left out of the Qualifying cycle in both the Semi and Hex rounds. Foxboro gets a WCQ every week and we get a friendly every 15 years. We hosted Team U.S.A. in '88 and then in '03. Hopefully Birmingham and their loss will be our gain and moreover a huge gain for the IronEagles in finding a large pro-USA crowd in the Southern Uinted States!