Harshest CONCACAF road enviornment??

When the USMNT plays Mexico in Texas or In Cali

 

yea but that wasnt ur question though. was it?

 

Concentrating on the word "Harsh," I'd say Costa Rica. Watching past games at their stadium, it seems like the crowd intimidates the referees into calling some pretty one-sided games. It's "Harsh," because despite the team's best efforts, we never get the win we deserve thanks to the suspect calls.

Obviously Azteca is up there, but to be honest the referees don't need to call a one-sided game in order for us to lose. Games at Azteca have never seemed too "harsh" for us, just too tough. We just have never played there with the type of confidence you need to leave with a win. Last WC cycle was disappointing because the US went into Azteca with the opportunity of sticking it to Mexico and our attitude was too cautious and careful. We had too much respect. I'm looking forward to this cycle. When we go into Azteca, we should enter as the favorites. With the generation of players we have in this WC cycle and their record of success against Mexico, I'm expecting a completely different attitude.

But I'll bet that we face some more suspect calls when we get to Costa Rica.

 

I disagree with Mexico. The fans seem so distant from the field, it doesn't seem the fans can intimidate the opposing team very well. i'd say, in this order, CR, Guatemala, ES, and then Honduras. Jamacians are do darn friendly to really call it a harsh environment.

 

I'd probably say Mexico because of the Altitude.

 

Estadio Ricardo Saprissa

If you have any questions you can ask the US team.....
They said:
"Have you been in hell????, no...cause We did....it is called Saprissa's...."


You can read that in a book titled "A celebrar karajo!", written by Alexandre Guimaraes after the WCQ 2002

 

CR no doubt about, cause the ticos will spit , piss on you and burn the bus of the other team if they come out with something diferent than a loss!!!!

A LOT of concacaf teams were more than pleased when fifa turn down the approval of saprissa stadium, but now they will still have to go to the snakepit...............

 

where is Costa Rica playing their qualifiers now?

 

Saprissa for sure. The fans are crazy, and right on top of the field.

Azteca isn't quite as intimate...

 

Saprissa Rejected For WCQ's

Saprissa has been rejected by FIFA for WCQ about a month ago because they have installed an artificial turf, a "FIFA approved" variety called FieldTurf, recently. The WC Competion Regulations state that approved artificial turf may only be approved and used if there are no natural grass pitches available in the country. So, they have to play at Alajuela (sp?), as they did against Cuba on June 20th, or some other stadia.

 

Jamaica can be tough because of the poor field conditions. That bumpy surface really does a number on the technical abilities. However, Jamaica lost at the "Office" in the last run of qualifying. Mexico beat them. It was more or less do or die for Mexico, so they really went for it in Jamaica. Basically a fine example of how attitude and determination can overcome away game adversity. Something I'd like to see the US team display when they go down to tough locations like Mazatenago, Saprissa, and Azteca.

 

Poor field conditions? Bumpy surface? In the Office? Since when? Field was upgraded a couple of years back.

 

Right. Go back a couple of years + and we're now looking at the last qualifying hex, which is what I was alluding to and which was the last time the States visited the Office. Everytime I've seen the US play in Jamaica I've noticed that the quality of ball control takes a dive. Good to hear that the field conditions have improved.

 

US was the first team to play on the newly laid turf. This was after the last qualifications. US won 2-1

 

With their line-up of Group B opponents and possible Hex opponents, perhaps the CSA should consider having their home matches (especially the earlier ones) in Yellowknife or Whitehorse.

THAT would be harsh.

 

No kidding? After the WCQ? That one got completely by me. I either had no idea that we played and won a game at the Office, or it has completely slipped my mind.

 

Yup, on February 12, 2003. I think it was only ever broadcast on Telemundo. It was four days after the U.S. played a pretty young Argentina side in Miami (0-1).

http://www.soccertimes.com/usteams/2003/games/feb12.htm

Klein and Bocanegra had the U.S. goals while Onandi Lowe had Jamaica's goal.

 

Re: Saprissa Rejected For WCQ's

Not true, cr federation appealed and won, claiming that because of the harsh rainy season itll be impossible to play on one field, fifa bought it and they got saprissa bach, great move!!!!!!

 

Re: Saprissa Rejected For WCQ's

Interesting. I didn't hear about this. Do you have a link for this?

 

Re: Saprissa Rejected For WCQ's

He is right. Estadio Ricardo Saprissa can host int. games after a fifa comission studied the circumstances. The main point being that due to the rain an artificial turf was the best solution. Many times games have to be cancelled or played with lots of mud.

The good news for you - non tico fans - is that perhaps Saprissa will move to a new stadium, in case this doesnt happen then innovations will take place but for the most part the motion of moving into a new stadium is the one with more strenght.

By the way, you american make the ricardo saprissa sound soo much more daunting than it actually is. The fact u normally get bad calls and lose surely helps this but Saprissa cant be compared to the Azteca in sheer size - Saprissa is around 20K. The height in Mex city, the smog all adds up to being a more daunting place to play at. The other central american venues have much bigger capacities, only difference is that the US in football terms has had more success but their stadia might have a more overwhelming presence than little ricardo saprissa.