US is bidding for 2018 and 2022 World Cups

Traveller · June 25, 2009, 07:54:15 AM

The ACCCG will be in Charlotte starting in 2010 and will, in my opinion, stay there indefinitely. It makes sense, since Charlotte is within four hours of 8 out of 12 ACC schools (and CLT is a major hub airport). It would have been in Charlotte last year but for the fact that some engineering conference had booked most of the city's hotel rooms that weekend. Tampa wanted a two-year commitment to host the game, which is why it will be there this year as well. The only way the game leaves Charlotte after next year is if (a) the stadium owner gets greedy and tries to stiff the conference, (b) the SEC leaves the Georgia Dome for some unexplained reason, or (c) the weather in Charlotte is bad enough to keep fans away several years in a row.

blizz01 · June 25, 2009, 09:01:46 AM

I wish I could dig up attendance numbers for the USA - Germany Friendly that was played at Alltel in 1999. The USA won 3-0 in front of a curious but inspired crowd & I believe that it's the only time we've EVER beaten them. Period.

JaxByDefault · June 25, 2009, 10:09:09 AM

Quote from: blizz01 on June 25, 2009, 09:01:46 AM
I wish I could dig up attendance numbers for the USA - Germany Friendly that was played at Alltel in 1999. The USA won 3-0 in front of a curious but inspired crowd & I believe that it's the only time we've EVER beaten them. Period.

Looks like Jacksonville drew 17,259 people for that game (http://www.ussoccer.com/common/stContent.jsp_16-TMNT17.html). It was the second worst attended game in the US that year, but JAX was the smallest-hosting US metro area.

U.S. Men's team is now 2-6-0 against Germany, 2-8-0 if you add in losses against the former East German team.

For those only jazzed about World Cup: Final Draw is on December 4. Let everyone hope their favorite national team* avoids the Group of Death. (*Unless you're a Brazil, Spain, or Argentina fan: Group of Death all the way for your teams, please.

)

blizz01 · June 25, 2009, 10:30:50 AM

Thanks for the details - I stand corrected on the record vs. Germany (I know the win was a big deal & maybe that was at the time?).

JaxByDefault · June 25, 2009, 12:29:29 PM

Had fun looking that one up, Blizz. I was surprised the US v. Germany record was so one sided since Germany has had its share of ups and downs over the past 15 years.

Any US win against a major European or South American team is a big deal.

Now let's discuss the very serious matter

of FIFA needing to ban those horns that are so popular in the stands in South Africa. The US v. Spain ConfedCup semi sounded like it was being held in the middle of a noisy beehive. Spouse angrily thought something was wrong with the TV and sound system when he turned it on. (Home offices have their advantages...scheduling around footie is one of them.)

blizz01 · June 25, 2009, 02:21:31 PM

Apparently that's up for discussion (FIFA). The announcer said that they were trumpets. I had to cut the TV down & a friend of mine who tends bar @ the beach said they had to do the same because it really got into your head. It's always something, though - flares, drums, stampedes, etc.

ProjectMaximus · July 01, 2009, 04:52:36 AM

Yeah, FIFA will probably do something about the horns...in South Africa's case called "vuvuzella."

ProjectMaximus · July 01, 2009, 04:55:13 AM

The US Committee has narrowed the list of potential hosts to 45 stadiums in 37 cities, and Jax Municipal made the cut. Gainesville did not.

Where will we be in 2022?

http://ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_14876672.html

Keith-N-Jax · July 01, 2009, 06:11:55 AM

^^ Hopefully with a functional vibrant downtown with thriving shops and dining. Transit, more hotels and residents living downtown. Attractions and more entertainment options.

JaxByDefault · August 13, 2009, 12:00:43 PM

I just came across an article in the Tennessean, Nashville's newspaper, discussing that city's chance to host World Cup games in 2018 or 2022. The list of 37 potential host cities in the U.S., which includes Jacksonville, will be trimmed to 25 cities by the end of the month.

I certainly hope Jacksonville makes the short list, but does anyone know if anyone in the city is working on this issue. According to Nashville's preliminary economic impact assessment, each game will have a $100 million economic impact for the city. Each host city will receive four to six games.

That's roughly the economic impact of two Super Bowls within the span of one month. Why have we heard so little about this from the city and local media?

To read the Tennessean article,
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090813/SPORTS11/908130340&s=d&page=2#pluckcomments

77danj7 · August 13, 2009, 12:03:13 PM

Why would the city actually work on the something that makes sense and would have an amazing impact on our city???

ProjectMaximus · August 13, 2009, 12:21:32 PM

i think there is a fear of failure permeating our leadership ranks.

Captain Zissou · August 13, 2009, 12:22:30 PM

That's too far away for Peyton to worry about, he just wants to score some last minute easy points and get the heck out of office and back to daddy's business. Probably not in the city's purview.

This is another one of those makes too much sense for the city to care type scenarios. 25 CITIES!!!??? It's not like we have to get first in something, we can shoot for 23rd-25th!!!! Come On, isn't that what our city is built on?? finishing in the middle of the pack behind Buffalo in Cleveland??? This is a very achievable goal that we should get behind but aren't.

PS- I was at that US v Germany game in 1999. Front row seats for super cheap and had a great time with my family. I was 12 so i don't remember much more than having fun.

blizz01 · August 13, 2009, 12:47:59 PM

What a shame that the World Cup Qualifier between the USA vs. Mexico wasn't even broadcast on live television yesterday afternoon - I suppose that there was just too much to choose from @ 4pm. I caught a choppy stream (en Espanol, no less) on Terra.com. ESPN 360 didn't even pick it up - what a travesty.
USA 1 MEX 2 F

JaxByDefault · August 13, 2009, 01:40:10 PM

Quote from: blizz01 on August 13, 2009, 12:47:59 PM
Waht a shame that the World Cup Qualifier between the USA vs. Mexico wasn't even broadcast on live television yesterday afternoon - I suppose that there was just too much to choose from @ 4pm.

I actually caught the game on Mun2 on Comcast channel 636. It was labeled "Futbol" on the guide, but (to my surprise) the broadcast was actually in English. I think Mun2 is Telemundo's new, hipper, mostly English language channel geared towards a younger crowd.

It was a shame that the US let Mexico come back to take the lead at the end. Oh well...they needed the points more than we did.