I've been told by some people that the Bay Area is not being considered for a Women's World Cup venue and it will most likely be an East Coast event, with the exception of LA. I am very disappointed by this, but think it's not too late to do something about. I think, we the San Jose fans, can help lobby for a game to US Soccer and FIFA and show our support! The Bay Area is huge soccer area, with over 300,000 youth soccer players playing in the Fall! The Quakes attendance may be at a low now, but this is nothing new, it always picks up in Sept-Oct. Every soccer fan should support a World Cup game here in the Bay Area! A game brings awareness to the area and tons of exposure - exactly what is needed right now! SJ is slowly creeping away as a main soccer venue in the US. Let's keep soccer events coming here and show our support. Anyone who went to the US game saw lots of new fans and a WWC will do the same. All games add up and it's what we lack compared to other markets. Anyone have any ideas on who to email to lobby for a game or start a petition to show our support!!
I'm not sure who you would email. But make sure to point out that the infrastructure is already here due to the fact that 1999 WWC was held here. They've done it once, so there wouldn't be much work in using the same plan to get things done out here.
Well, whether the WWC comes here or not, this rumor raises a question. This summer, Manchester Utd, Celtic, Barca, Milan, etc are all playing in the US. And, while I'm sure they are fine teams, we get Peru-Ecuador or whatever it is. I mean no disrespect to any fan of the international teams that are playing here, but those club teams are among the best supported in the world. Why aren't any of these matches coming here--Candlestick Park not available in the summer? Steve Schott/Al Davis don't need the money? Possible reasons? 1)no local promoters for these matches? 2)Man U/Champs World snubs MLS/Quakes? 3)Protesting the demise of the Central Coast Roadrunners while not celebrating the birth of the Fresno Fuego? 4)Promoters see Quakes/USNT attendance and are scared off? Tony
Take into account stadium availability...field condition (our pitch turns to mush as the fall sets in)...the fact that SJSU football will be scheduled in the stadium immediately prior to the event...and suddenly Spartan Stadium isn't so attractive.
Yeah, what the hell. There were 74,000 in attendance on July 4, 1999 at Stanford. There is a base for the WWC. It does not equate with attendance at San Jose Earthquakes games, however. I know a number of people who didn't stick around for the doubleheader between the Clash and DC United. Why? "I don't like the men's game."
I was one of the maybe 15,000 who stayed for that game. The place looked so empty...but it was a good game.
Sorry, I have heard the exact opposite. Both Stanford and Spartan Stadium are being considered for the WWC, along with the LA Stadiums (Rose Bowl and Home Depot). If the they bring the WWC to the Bay Area, people will attend the events. No problem! The problem is getting fans to consistantly attend soccer events (Quakes or CyberRays) when there are so many other things to do in the area. This isn't Columbus! Since I'm a soccer fanatic, I attended the last three USMNT games at Spartan, but please, the competition was bad (Macedonia, Australia, and Wales). Give the Bay Area soccer populations some sense to know these games aren't going to be good (although I enjoyed the Wales game).
Yes, it was. One memory that sticks out so clearly in my mind is that save on a PK by San Jose's new keeper, Mr. Joseph Cannon.
There was an article in Soccer America that suggested San Jose was one of the front-runners to host games. https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/newreply.php?s=&action=newreply&threadid=53415 Here is an excerpt: "Fewer, smaller venues are planned, and the scenario receiving the most play has the games at the Home Depot Center near Los Angeles, Spartan Stadium in San Jose, Columbus (Ohio) Crew Stadium and RFK Stadium in Washington -- all home facilities for MLS clubs -- with another Rose Bowl final a possibility. The stadiums in L.A. and Columbus are owned by MLS investors. ''Stadiums owned and operated by MLS owners are the priority,'' MLS Commissioner Don Garber said from Houston, where the U.S. men's national team played Mexico on Thursday. ''There's a very small pool being considered.''
WWC venues leaked http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/6050499.htm As posted in the Business and Media forum Opener at RFK, then Columbus, Giants (pending agreement) and Gillette on the east coast; semis in Portland, finals in Carson. Just as I heard....
That's crazy. The semifinal at Stanford had 74,000. They should be setting up to accommodate the large numbers that will come for that final. Carson won't be able to hold them.
Very disappointing, as that appears to be true. I was really looking forward to taking my daughter to a WWC game at Spartan (or Stanford.) At 9, she's already a knowledgable fan of the game--asking me questions about teams and strategies and debating boys at school about who's better between Mathis or McBride? For a kid at that age to already be such a big fan, I'd really want to "fuel that fire" by exposing her to the women's game on the grandest international scale. Unfortunately, vacation time this year is already accounted for, so road trips to Portland/Carson are not an option. **Sigh**
Stanford almost wasn't an option for the 1999 WWC. The high-falutin' academiologists threatened to keep WWC'99 out based on they didn't want to disturb the quiet academic atmosphere. IT WAS SUMMER FOR CRISSSAKES! Remember that WWC'99 was 2 1/2 years in the making and the hype got away like wildfire. Interest and ticket sales made them raise their sights from smaller venues to the likes of FedEx Field, the Meadowlands, and The Rose Bowl. This time around they have their sights set properly low...with smaller venues (even soccer specific venues) because this WWC won't have the time to catch fire like the last one did. Plus, it will be held in the early fall when the kids are back in school. So there won't be as many "pony-tailed hooligans" available to attend matches. I think it all comes down to 2 things...field conditions (they can lay down fresh sod on PGE Park, we can't) and, as the Merc reminded us this morning, Nike and adidas are based in Oregon...and they want the event close to "home". Oh well...
While San Jose lost out to Portland as a playoff round venue, apparently we're still in the running to host first-round matches if a deal can't be reached at the Meadowlands. Not sure if this is just a bargaining ploy by the WWC organizers in their negotiations with Giants Stadium, but there seems to be a slim chance we'll see WWC action in the Bay Area after all.
Philly got the Giants spot. No soup for us. Although, I'm not surprised, for the same reasons that Spartacus said. Outside of our soccer geek circle, no one has a clue this competition is going on. That said, I'm for damn sure gonna try and get tickets for a Victoria Street final.