Jacksonville in running to host Copa America games

[Gamblor]

According to reports in Brazil, Jacksonville is one of 23 possible cities still in the running to host Copa America Centenario games. Really hope this comes through. Would be great for the local soccer community.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/12/11/report-23-us-cities-identified-potential-sites-2016-copa-america-centenario?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=News&utm_campaign=Unpaid

[ProjectMaximus]

Thanks for posting this! They were discussing this on that new soccer show on sports radio 930 but I only heard like the last fifteen words so I really couldn't figure out what they were talking about. Nice to just be in consideration. The more often we're in the discussion, the sooner we'll actually start hosting events like this.

[Gamblor]

For anyone interested here are the teams that will be participating. CONCACAF will be sending USA, El Tri, Costa Rica, Reggae Boyz, and 2 teams to be determined against all of CONMEBOL, i.e. Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile (ALEXIS!!!!!!), Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

[Ocklawaha]

Okay Gamblor, first to poke a little fun... There is no such country as Columbia. It's C O L O M B I A as in Cristóbal Colón. Not pronounced 'Co lum' rather it is like 'Co lo' as in colon.

Seriously guys, it would be more cool if Copa would consider adding a direct Jacksonville-Panama City route, which would open us to all of Latin America. The airport in Panama City is freaking huge and Copa has a major hub there. Anyone not familiar with Copa and traveling south of the border, check it out.

[spuwho]

Everytime I fly south I have to go to through Miami. My last one was to Bogota.

[tufsu1]

Copa flies to/from Tampa

[Gamblor]

Seriously, we're making this thread about flights to South America? I post that Jax might host some games in one of the worlds biggest soccer tournaments, and one post from Ock noone-ing the thread on one of the only two topics he seems able to discuss, and boom, forget the hordes of tourist that might flock to the city, the international exposure, the opportunity to see some of the world's greatest athletes up close and personal.... *Sigh*

[spuwho]

Seriously, we're making this thread about flights to South America? I post that Jax might host some games in one of the worlds biggest soccer tournaments, and one post from Ock noone-ing the thread on the only two topics he seems able to discuss, and boom, forget the hordes of tourist that might flock to the city, the international exposure, the opportunity to see some of the world's greatest athletes up close and personal.... Sigh

I think what Ock is referring to is that there aren't enough flights in and out of Jax to support a large contingent for this. That makes it tough to be a host.

My reply was that for a number of flights in and out of SA, I have to route through Miami. Therefore any one trying to get here would probably have to do the same.

So while we wen't jumping on the Copa bandwagon per se, I think we were trying to say that there are some hurdles to overcome to attract large crowds from our latin neighbors.

I agree that if Jax is able to host a part of it, that would be great for us and for US Soccer.

[Gamblor]

Seriously, we're making this thread about flights to South America? I post that Jax might host some games in one of the worlds biggest soccer tournaments, and one post from Ock noone-ing the thread on the only two topics he seems able to discuss, and boom, forget the hordes of tourist that might flock to the city, the international exposure, the opportunity to see some of the world's greatest athletes up close and personal.... Sigh

I think what Ock is referring to is that there aren't enough flights in and out of Jax to support a large contingent for this. That makes it tough to be a host.

My reply was that for a number of flights in and out of SA, I have to route through Miami. Therefore any one trying to get here would probably have to do the same.

So while we wen't jumping on the Copa bandwagon per se, I think we were trying to say that there are some hurdles to overcome to attract large crowds from our latin neighbors.

I agree that if Jax is able to host a part of it, that would be great for us and for US Soccer.

It is great for US soccer, which has already been chosen to host, and we're probably only going to host some early games. As for the other so called hurdle, not to be rude, but, oh no people have to take a connecting flight... how terrible, I'm sure no South American soccer fan would be willing to do that to support their team. Sorry, I had to go there.

[Gamblor]

Plus after the conditions many fans went through in Brazil, Jacksonville could be a paradise

[fsquid]

Would love to see us land this

[IrvAdams]

Sometimes a connecting flight is useful. Gives you a chance to stretch your legs, maybe get something to eat or drink, etc. I agree this should not be much of a hurdle to overcome. We hosted the SuperBowl and JIA got kudos for their performance and professionalism.

[ProjectMaximus]

Darn, no Gold Cup matches.
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/12/16/7404407/gold-cup-2015-host-cities-usmnt-mexico-venues

[Gamblor]

Darn, no Gold Cup matches.
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/12/16/7404407/gold-cup-2015-host-cities-usmnt-mexico-venues

Saw this earlier and my thinking is it doesn't bode well for us, but still keeping fingers crossed for some centenario matches (which I think would be a bigger get)

[pierre]

Bummer.