If there are any runners going, Tampa has a *great* running/social club called Run For Brews South Tampa. http://runningforbrews.com/locations/ We'll be meeting up for a 5k run at World of Beer at 7 PM on Thursday, literally right across the street from MacDinton's, the place for AO's night-before party. Fun times and **CUTE** girls! Run in your USA gear, and if you decide to just drink at MacDinton's, make sure to cheer on people like me who'll be in USA gear and carrying the flag! Did I mention ... ***CUTE*** girls. Many of them. This is a popular club, so don't be shy and show these Tampa people that soccer fans can run!
27,731. http://www.ussoccer.com/news/mens-n...falls-to-panama-in-gold-cup-group-c-play.aspx But the fact that it is at 16,000 and likely to get to 20,000 by Friday is enough to consider this venue choice a success. First WCQ last cycle was at Home Depot Center, an MLS market, and it did not even get to 12K. 11,476 was the attendance that day. http://www.ussoccer.com/news/mens-n...g-8-0-win-against-barbados-at-the-home-d.aspx
At first I thought it was a bad idea but now the USSF looks like a genius. Maybe a lot of people who went to the Jacksonville match had so much fun they decided to drive down to Tampa. That is my theory for the boost in tickets. Also the sizable Antigua contingent that decided to go last second.
And i suspect the sizeable Antigua population is in south Florida and in the Northeast (NY, Boston, DC) making travel to the game rather simple with numerous direct flights and easy driving distance from south Florida.
It will be interesting to see how many Antiguans go. Last year it was maybe 60-40 to 70-30 us- Panamanian fans.
From Goff's column, re attendance: So, comparatively, Tampa is kicking butt. Having this game on a Friday instead of a Saturday, and early at 7 pm instead of 8 pm or later doesn't help much. USA v Cuba would have really sold tickets in Tampa, but not sure it would be the crowd we'd want. I'm hoping we can push close to 20K, it will probably depend on how the weather holds up. Weather forecast for the ZIP code where Ray J is:
I'm going...I did pick the Scotland game thinking as it was Antigua i would just watch it on tv, as i live in Daytona 127 miles away from Tampa, but i decided to go..... probably a good idea that I did for the support! Every bit help......
Chance of rain now down to 50% all day fri...well scattered thunderstorms...so I guess its gonna be a wet day and horrible playing wetaher...lol this just ruined my day now, I was expecting nice sunny FL weather with a clear sky.
Not in June. One thing I've learned in my trips to Florida....the summer weather is crazy unpredictable. It very well could not rain a drop the entire day at RayJay, but be pouring at Clearwater Beach. Just show up and enjoy the atmosphere. Bring an "Island Time" attitude with you!
That's how Florida summers are from my experience. Giant rain clouds just float around dumping water. You just wait the cloud out for a few minutes and it moves on.
I predict a 2-2 game....scorers for usa..dempsey and bradley...for antigua..dexter blackstock and stefan smith
Frankly a 2-0 victory would be received poorly by our fans. A draw and the sites would be overwhelmed with us fans tossing themselves off the nearest high buildings.
Remember usa barely survived Guadeloupe last summer in the gold cup...so real corona...i think i may have to stop u from jumping off ur hotel roof! =)
That would be an astronomical upset. Obviously anything is possible, but going back to qualification for the 1998 World Cup, the United States is 28-1-5 at home during World Cup qualifiers.
Made it from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Tampa! I will be at the AO bar Thurs night anyone else going To be there or what about the tailgate? Hope to meet some of you guys.
I've followed this team long enough to know that they can beat any team in the world, but that they can also lose to any team in the world. I expect nothing until its in the bag. The worst thing for the collective American sporting mindset and mentality is a game it thinks it should win. We've proven it over and over across multiple sports that if our teams believe the hype and become overconfident, we general get smacked in the face.
Are you the guy with the wrapped car we met in Phoenix? Will be at the bar tonight, spent all last night cooking for the tailgate tomorrow, so a bit tired, so may not be a long night tonight.