They're playing the Gold Cup in thirteen different sites?!? Are CONCACAF nuts? This is going to be the mother of all logistical nightmares. And how will CONCACAF ever make a profit from operating a tournament in thirteen stadia? The federation is boasting that no other continental tournament has been conducted at so many locations, and only two World Cup finals have been played in a larger quantity of stadia. They're forgetting that the World Cup is being played between 24 or 32 nations, almost all of whom will have sizeable numbers of traveling fans following them around the country. Such a phenomenon does not exist during the Gold Cup, and other than the USA and Mexico, the level of support for the other Central American and Caribbean countries isn't very great outside of south Florida, southern California, or New York.
I did notice that there will be a first-round match in Glendale on Sunday 12 July. Hmmm...that has potential. But that match will definitely be played with the roof closed - in the Phoenix area, the temperature won't drop below 35 C until well after 9pm.
I would look for CONCACAF to make their draw and then arrange the match schedule accordingly. Mexico will play that quarterfinal match in Dallas, guaranteed.
It would be nice to see a Gold Cup match in Arizona, but I still think CONCACAF's idea is nuts. I can't see how they will be able to finish the tournament with a profit and without teams, fans, and press members raising a big stink.
I'm even less enamored of this idea. Mostly because the USSF and/or CONCACAF has just effectively ceded Texas to Mexico. Was talking with a friend of mine who is pretty sure that EVERY OTHER MLS SSS has hosted a World Cup Qualifier for the US. Except Frisco. I'll need to check, though.
Anyway, once again, a tournament I'll watch on TV.
Despite my gripes, I'm really glad that, once again, there are no guest nations.
Posted by: Eric | March 10, 2009 at 02:29 PM