The Battle for Control of US Soccer

[slacker]

This thread is really becoming more about US getting another World Cup, than leadership of US Soccer - but who cares?

While the US does look to be the best bet to host another Cup soon from the $$ and logistics standpoint, why wouldn't Argentina, or Brazil or some combination of South American countries also have a real legitimate shot?

While the economies of Brazil and Argentina are in the crapper right now, how strong were they when they hosted previous Cups?

And even though the standards and expectations are higher now for World Cups, surely Brazil or Argentina has enough large stadiums and hotels to handle it. They have plenty of fans to fill the seats, and would only really need to improve some transportation infrastructure. Granted that's a big issue in itself, but why would Brazil or Argentina not be able to use existing large capacity stadiums and just re-furbish them a bit? France did this for many of its venues didn't it?

Also, no one should have been at all surprised about Japan's ability to co-host the Cup (it has had winter Olympics and is a major developed industrial country), the story really was Korea pulling it off - and they spent a fortune to do it!!!

[kenntomasch]

And I wonder if, in the end, it was worth it for Korea, from a strictly dollars-and-cents (or whatever their currency is) standpoint. That was a serious investment, and it's much easier for a country like America to pull it off (we build stadia all the time anyway, and wouldn't have to build new ones for the Cup) and not worry about mortgaging our future (like Montreal did with Olympic Stadium, and by extension, the 76 Games).

[todda74]

Korea will end up losing money on their stadiums because they did it the ass backwards way. Some of the 10 WC stadiums were built just to hold 3 or 4 World Cup games. They don't have a full time tenant.
Combined J/K used 20 stadiums. That is pretty excessive.

I hadn't thought about it until after I had posted but those who have questioned the fan support at an African hosted WC are correct. There is no way I will be going. Right now i'm planning on going to Germany but won't be going to Africa in the next decade.

With Brazil and Argentina, 2010 is 8 years away and their economies will have recovered by then. I know it's more than just a temporary drop right now but I don't expect their recessions to last a whole decade.

[JeffGMc]

Originally posted by ne plus ultra
We'd do well to add Canada to any bid we submit. Hell, what about a Nafta cup, with games in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Toronto, Montreal, Chicago, DC, NY, and LA? The flights wouldn't be any longer to Mexico than to LA.
I like the idea of this, but I think FIFA is going to be wary of a double-hosting again. If Canada agrees to go by the dollar, then it might happen. :)

[todda74]

Originally posted by JeffGMc

I like the idea of this, but I think FIFA is going to be wary of a double-hosting again. If Canada agrees to go by the dollar, then it might happen. :)

they already do, the Canadian dollar.

question, has the Canadian team ever reached the World Cup? I remember before Italia '90 some countries wanted the 1994 Cup pulled from the US if we didn't make it to Italy. Could the same be said for Canada? If they have never been able to reach the tournament should the be able to host it? Me personally I think it would be great for Canada to get it.

[Americano e Orgulho]

Earlier someone asked "who would want to go to a world cup in Africa?". Well, you can add myself to that list. But I love 3rd world countries.

[tcmahoney]

Originally posted by todda74
question, has the Canadian team ever reached the World Cup?

1986. Lost 1-0 to France, then by 2-0 scores to Hungary and the USSR, respectively.

[todda74]

thanks tcmahoney.

[AndyMead]

Nothing to do with controlling US Soccer, but....

I feel that 2018 is the realistic date for the next Men's World Cup to be played in the United States. WWC '07 or '11 should be here.

[Andy_B]

I feel that 2018 is the realistic date for the next Men's World Cup to be played in the United States. WWC '07 or '11 should be here.

I disagree.

The next realistic date for the next Men's WC to be here in the US will be when ever the US puts forth a formal bid.

I don't think people understand just how bad off FIFA is financially. A blown WC in Africa (which is all that can occur right now in South Africa with the infrastructure), could put FIFA out of business for good.

My guess is that FIFA has already dropped the hint for the US to submit a bid earlier than we probably intended.

Andy

[AndyMead]

Originally posted by Andy_B
The next realistic date for the next Men's WC to be here in the US will be when ever the US puts forth a formal bid.

Since everything else revolves around $$$, I'm willing to give your statements some value. The IOC, afterall, is more than willing to bring the summer games to the US every 12-16 years. I guess there is no reason to think that FIFA should be any different. WC'94 was the cash cow that changed the face of football worldwide. It is hard to imagine empty seats at a World Cup in Europe today, but there were plenty of empties in Italia '90. World Cup '94 changed everything.

For personal reasons, I would definitely like to see one here earlier than 2018, as I'll be 52 (yikes!) years old. I hope you are right.

At some point, everything comes back to money, whether it's tv broadcasts, player salaries, or world cup hosting.

[saabrian]

Originally posted by insomniac


Not saying it would go to the U.S., basically just saying that it's hard to imagine making a rational decision to give the Cup to an African Nation.

But as others have pointed out, with FIFA, who knows?

Have you ever been to any of the African nations bidding for the WC or are you just assuming they're crap? If it's the later, I wouldn't consider ill-informed assumptions to be particularly rational.

[Bajoro]

Originally posted by AndyMead

For personal reasons, I would definitely like to see one here earlier than 2018, as I'll be 52 (yikes!) years old. I hope you are right.


So, you're 36 years old? Too damn young to have an informed opinion, I say!!

Andy, are you in San Francisco this weekend? I was hanging out in the Hilton lobby yesterday evening and got to say hi to Bruce, Dr. Bob, AND Don Garber. Not bad for an hour of hobnobbing. :D

For details...
http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=5918

[B1]

Well, Dr. Bob was reelected.

http://sports.yahoo.com/m/world/news/20020809/contigugliareelect.html

[kenntomasch]

Well, that's that then, isn't it?

[AndyMead]

Originally posted by kenntomasch
Well, that's that then, isn't it?

Anonymou.. Unanimously, that is! The rumours of Chuck Blazer showing up with a check book are unfounded!

[SoFla Metro]

Originally posted by kenntomasch
You think they'd consider a split-season for MLS in 2010 if the US hosted the Cup?

You'd have to not play during that timeframe (mid-June to mid-July), but it'd be strange to just have a month disappear out of the heart of your season. A split-season, while it would obviously draw the ire of most traditionalists (but what doesn't?) might be at least one workable solution to what's sure to be a sticky wicket. I can't see how this would be any different from the major European leagues (except England of course) taking a winter break, even though this would of course be a bit longer.

[SoFla Metro]

Originally posted by Andy_B


More than a few people in the know feel that the South African bid is going to be a disastor and will open up a spot for a US bid.



I firmly believe this will NEVER occur, because there are simply so few countries than can handle a 32 team WC.

As has been stated before, when ever the US presents a serious bid, they will most likely get the cup.

Andy Plus, wouldn't this mean that Australia would automatically host every sixth world cup?

[SoFla Metro]

Originally posted by kenntomasch
I agree with Andy_B. The US staged what (I believe) is still referred to as "the most successful World Cup ever" and there is a ton of money to be made for everybody if the US puts together a solid bid for 2010 or 2014.

If they were to turn their back on the US without a real good reason if USSF made a serious bid for 2010, people might start to think FIFA was corrupt or something......

DOH!!!!! Rack him

[SoFla Metro]

Originally posted by DCUPopeAndLillyFan


Nah, they'll probably schedule as many matches as possible with WC matches to boost attendance figures. :p Your ideas are intriguing, and I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter.