Apologies if this was already mentioned but New Zealand Press Association reports that US agreed to June 8 match somewhere on the East Coast after Iceland backed out...
What would be the purpose of playing against Iceland in the first place? Our U-17's could beat the Icelandic Nats.
According to New Zealand's official site, the game with the US is on for June 8th, but it was Croatia, not Iceland, that backed out of their previously schedule June 5th match. http://www.soccernz.co.nz/index.cfm?PageGroupID=1&articleid=457
Eidur Gudjohnsen of Chelsea FC is an Icelandic International. Others in top flight english football...Aston Villa : Johannes Karl (Joey) Gudjonsson, Arsenal : Olafur Ingi Skulason, Bolton :Gudni Bergsson, West Bromwich Albion : Larus Orri Sigurdsson How about the MATCH v NZ at RAVENS STADIUM, BALTIMORE ??? Easy access off of I-95 for those in NY, Philly, DC, Va and points south, and a few blocks from the hotels and the inner harbor.
I have never thought of that as a place for soccer. There is a problem in that Ravens Stadium has a form of turf that is very similar to grass, I think its the same type as Seattle, but I am not sure. I have seen a Ravens game there and I can tell you that it is one of the nicest stadiums I have ever been in. Great sight lines, good seats, good food, and the stadium isn't a cookie cutter, so it has some character.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5032-2003Apr10.html (in notes at bottom) The Washington Post is reporting that AEG is trying to get the US/NZ friendly for RFK in a doubleheader with United/Fire if they can get the Freedom to move a game from June 8th to the 7th so that the men's games can take place on Sunday, 6/8.
1. Iceland have some fairly decent players, and have beaten or drawn with some useful European teams over the last five years (Czech, Denmark, France, Russia). So that is a bit of misplaced optimism. 2. US wasn't planning to play anyone else. NZ wanted to play another match in Europe, but Croatia cancelled, and all the other decent teams have matches. Presumably NZ want to play an easier match after playing Scotland on May 27th,
Washington Post today is reporting that the University of Richmond may be the spot for the US - NZ game. Look at the very bottom of the article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10637-2003Apr11.html
I hope its at RFK, they just need to move a WUSA game. They could easily move it to the night before and move the DC United game to after the USA game and have a double header.
I don't think the Freedom will move its game. Problem: the opponent is New Zealand. If it was Brazil, yes. I'd rather see a packed Richmond Stadium than 12,000 in RFK. Can't see it.