Philly unlikely to get USMNT games due to the narrowness of the Field " U.S Official"

I think they'll figure out a way to get two more yards of width. It isn't like they'd need to remove seats.

I don't think this precludes MLS though. The San Jose field is all we need to reference and the MLS handbook has 66 yards as the minimum width. That is probably what the architecs looked at, though they should know better.

Also, Gillette's field has been as short as 106 yards on occasion.

I agree with Sachin as well. Philly is not much different from DC in terms of location. The only advantage Philly would have is not getting qualifiers in the past. For the first one or two, it might be easier to sell the game to a friendly local audience, but Philly is still the kind of place that is easy for ex-pats to get to. There's also a giant Guatemalan community in the Mercer County, NJ area.

 

Crew and Gillette are shoe ins based on past performances in your eyes I assume?

Then why leave out Kansas City. I think its widely accepted that KC did a great job for the Costa Rica match last time around.

I don't like the idea of Seattle because any time grass is laid down just for one event there is always footing problems.

LA would be perfectly fine if we're playing a non-latino nation that we're pretty certain we'll beat. Throw them a bone to allow them to show off the new digs.

The RFK situation is so sad. To think that our guys can't get a rowdy home field advantage in our nations capitol pisses me off. I can't think of one game, maybe TNT or Canada, that we could play there and get a large pro USA crowd.

 

I don't remember reading comments like these during the ManU tour. Evidently the dimensions won't keep them or other teams from coming over for summer tours and including Philly in the schedule.

The Linc was designed for the NFL and special events -- money makers. Naturally, concern for US soccer or WC qualifiers was not a factor.

 

As many others have said, I highly doubt RFK will ever see a WCQ game again.

I would replace KC with RFK above for any of the "big" games.

RFK only chance at getting a game would be against a Canada or a T&T but I think those games will correctly go to Carson instead.

I think it is going to be interesting to see where the USSF places the "smaller" WCQ games this time around since we will have many more of them.

Andy

 

USSF and MLS have a decent relationship. The USSF will reward cities that support MLS. Those cities with SSS and decent lease agreements are the following: Columbus, HDC, KC, Gillette and in the future Dallas. These cities will have dibs on national team qualifiers. Remember, the owners of MLS want their investments rewarded with highly attended national team matches. I am positive Hunt, Kraft and Anschutz are tired of paying the stadium authorities in New York and DC when they receive so little in return. Anyway, we need to have different venues. DC had their run and now it has ended. Too bad, this is a great soccer stadium.

 

Two other points worth mentioning about Dallas. The USWNT will be playing a friendly at the Cotton Bowl. Obviously, Dallas is now on the radar screen. Also, the new stadium will have red seats which is the color of choice for national team supporters.

 

Let's try some logic

Assuming this statement is true, are NFL owners still not businessmen? Why would they ever want to eliminate a potetntial revenue steam? Even if they do not like soccer, I'm positive all NFL owners like $$$.

 

Soccer was a constant bargaining chip in the path that became Lincoln Financial Field. Don Garber is a regular visitor to Philadelphia. The city remains on MLS' radar. The main issue is who would be the local owner/investor.

BTW - 68 yards IS an acceptable width for International matches. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it isn't so.

 

I'm sorry but Philly has not done anything to warrant a team. The cold facts don't lie. If they were interested, MLS exhibitions would take at Lincoln field. Sorry Philly, you lost that opportunity because jerks like Loria don't care about soccer. Why don't you watch DC or NY to get your fill of professional soccer in the states. Anyway, Philly fans are notorious for being complete asse* so I don't think the league would suffer by avoiding this city.

 

I'm sorry, but this half-lame post begs a correction.

This much I agree with.

Try LURIE.

And your ASSumption is far from accurate.

I doubt you've ever been to the City of Philadelphia before, and accept the negative hype you hear on the television as fact. Nice.

Philadelphia sports fans may collectively be the most passionate fans in the country. They have high expectations for their teams, and will show their displeasure if they think full effort is not being given. They boo because they care. But they treat their winners like royalty.

The "notoriety" has been mis-labeled by the weak-minded quasi-journalists. Folks like you perpetuate the stereotype.

The correct label should be "enigmatic".

 

Then, what did I see a few weeks ago vs. the Patriots? YAWNING FANS.

YAWNING.

The CSC b@stards have installed a securinazi regime of no noisemakers, banners, or standing, and have even gone so far as to ban the American flag from being displayed on the lower walls.

The field sukcs for soccer. More for Gillette and RFK, I say.

 

I find it odd that the reputation of Philly fans was brought into this. For one, most of these people won't be going to MLS games. Philly has tough fans, but Cleveland was mentioned as a potential MLS city and they had an incident where beer bottles were thrown on the field at officials. Fans in Columbus rioted after Ohio State won last year in football. Should MLS get out/avoid those cities also?

 

Diagnosed as a "state of shock".

 

Re: Follow the Money

Columbus was good because the home game against Mexico that year was played in March. But will Columbus be as good a place to play mexico if during the next qualifying it is schedueled, say, in July?

 

If I am not mistaken the 2 people heavily invested in MLS are also on the USSF board. They obviously will have alot of influence on where national team games are played. Since Philly will not help with the coffers of these investors, I highly doubt the city will ever see a national team match there.

 

Re: Re: Follow the Money

Yes, but only because of the small size of CCS. If that match had been held in, say New York, the crowd would have been 2-1 Mexican.

Sachin