To put an end to the isolated bitching about yesterday's game, let's start talking about the next one. Energy should be put toward supporting the team, not trying to make a fan bigger than the game itself. ESPN has time blocked out on Jan. 12. Anyone hear any rumblings in their area about possibly hosting it? That is an NFL playoff weekend, so I would assume they are looking at a non NFL stadium or at a place where the team is sucking right now.
as that's a playoff weekend, i'm just looking at bad teams and warm(er) sites houston, dallas, carolina, (seattle??), arizona, and dc i bolded arizona because of the previous talk of phoenix... i realize the cardinals don't play in phoenix though, but still... cardinals would most likely be out of the playoffs and the area sportsfans would be more likely to pay attention and come out for that there are other bad teams, but those sites seemed to be more appealing
crossing over to the nba schedule... -dallas plays out of town, against the clippers -utah plays at phoenix -cleveland playst at seattle -no game for houston both miami and orlando have away games
It is a 4 p.m. game so the West coast is feasible. And the schedule doesn't say men's soccer so this oculd be all for naught.
Rob Stone said during the broadcast that it looked like there would be a friendly on the "Gulf Coast" of Florida in Janaury. He added that nothing was confirmed. The USMNT has played midwinter friendlies in Florida. I think we played Holland there a few years ago.
Regardless of where the game is played, TV ratings will not improve if up against the NFL playoffs. Dave
Correct, we also played Germany there in 1999. We'll probably get a Euro side whose players are on winter break. Germany again perhaps? Maybe Sweden? Sachin
Problem with Sweden, though, is that many of their best players play in England, which doesn't have a winter break, so we wouldn't get their best team. Germany would be a better bet. Maybe a South American country if they are between the Clausura and Apetura tournaments. Anybody know when South American seasons traditionally end?
They genearally don't. Usually they get a month off between Apertura/Clausura and 1 1/2-2 months between Clasura/Apertura. And during those off months they are playing international club dates or pre season games. That's why you rarely see FULL teams up here unless its a WC warm up year. Next year for instance everyone will be playing the Copa America during their month off. The year after that WC Qualifiers start.
That'd be the only thought on Florida's Gulf Coast, no? Jacksonville & Miami/Ft. Lauderdale are on the Atlantic. Orlando, Tallahassee, and Gainesville are inland. Unless the game is in Pensacola (ha!), Tampa/St. Pete is it for the Gulf Coast of Florida. FYI, here are the Florida stadia: http://www.worldstadiums.com/north_america/countries/united_states/florida.shtml I'm sure the Buccaneers plan on getting a home game or two in the playoffs. Plus, I just checked the Raymond James Stadium site and they list the "Superbowl of Monster Truck Racing" on January 13th, so, if they need some prep-time for that wonderful event, the 12th would be out. http://www.raymondjames.com/stadium/stadsch.htm They do have "field turf" at the indoor Tropicana Field in St. Pete, so they might be able to pull a "Safeco" and do it there. According to these sites, it has hosted soccer: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/tb/ballpark/tb_ballpark_history.jsp http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/american/tropic.htm
Why Tampa-St. Pete? That place is a grave yard for soccer. Dallas is the obvious choice, so we'll probably play the Mexican Olympic team in LA.
I hope it's in florida or somewhere warm. I'm down for a two-day vacation in florida. Dallas can be brutal in the winter. Remember that Snow Bowl(Cowboys vs. Dolphins)? Believe me, they have their fair share of winter weather.
I watched the tape last night and that's the impression I got too. The camp would likely be there (Florida Gulf Coast), which would lead to a friendly/some friendlies.