World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?

To put it another way, since we've hosted:
1998 - UEFA
2002 - AFC
2006 - UEFA
2010 - CAF
2014 - CONMEBOL
2018 - UEFA
2022 - AFC

So, assuming no hosting changes, each of the other 4 major conferences will have hosted a World Cup since CONCACAF, including UEFA doing it three times (no surprise), and Asia twice. 2026 should be a slam dunk for CONCACAF to host.

Also, for those with World Cup fever, the U-20 World Cup began today. USA is in perhaps the group of death (Spain, France, and Ghana), and plays Spain today (right about now actually). Games are on ESPN3.

Too bad that both Canada and Mexico have claimed interest in hosting that one...

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?

Too bad that both Canada and Mexico have claimed interest in hosting that one...

I don't see Mexico happening. They've hosted it twice, and there are obvious security issues currently in Mexico (obviously that could change between now and when selection is done). I could definitely see a joint bid between US and Canada. Either way, I would be fine with either Canada or Mexico hosting. I just want to see it back in the CONCACAF.

 

[MountieBoyOz]

Re: World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?

I still think England needs a shot sooner rather than later. 1966 was the last time the UK got the World Cup. Imagine the games at places like Wembley, Old Trafford, Villa Park, etc.

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?

I don't see Mexico happening. They've hosted it twice, and there are obvious security issues currently in Mexico (obviously that could change between now and when selection is done). I could definitely see a joint bid between US and Canada. Either way, I would be fine with either Canada or Mexico hosting. I just want to see it back in the CONCACAF.

Eh, I really don't see the US doing that right now. The USA has more than enough quality stadiums to host World Cup games, and Canada would have what, just really Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal being good stadiums. And the Canadians would probably want to limit the travel that fans would have to do, so about as far south they would want to go would be about Washington DC to LA, which would drop out a lot of good stadium options in San Diego, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Florida. Of course, that would likely mean locations like Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, the Twin Cities, and Buffalo would be on the short list of what the Canadians would like to use, which would probably go over well with most of this board. But I'm kind of greedy and would want to see a straight up USA hosting bid again. Then maybe 20 years down the line Canada could pull off a joint bid where they're using a lot of the Northern USA stadiums as well.

 

[pirate]

Re: World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?

I still think England needs a shot sooner rather than later. 1966 was the last time the UK got the World Cup. Imagine the games at places like Wembley, Old Trafford, Villa Park, etc.

They've recently handled the olympics, so they should be more capable and present less risk than many other choices...play some early games in Ireland, Scotland and Wales too. Plus, temps won't be too bad

 

[LynahFan]

Re: World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?

Eh, I really don't see the US doing that right now. The USA has more than enough quality stadiums to host World Cup games, and Canada would have what, just really Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal being good stadiums. And the Canadians would probably want to limit the travel that fans would have to do, so about as far south they would want to go would be about Washington DC to LA, which would drop out a lot of good stadium options in San Diego, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Florida. Of course, that would likely mean locations like Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, the Twin Cities, and Buffalo would be on the short list of what the Canadians would like to use, which would probably go over well with most of this board. But I'm kind of greedy and would want to see a straight up USA hosting bid again. Then maybe 20 years down the line Canada could pull off a joint bid where they're using a lot of the Northern USA stadiums as well.

You do realize that San Diego is only ~2 hours south of LA, right? A quick check on Kayak shows that all 4 combinations of flights from Toronto or Montreal to Dallas or Minneapolis are all right in the $600 range. I can think of lots of reasons why the US wouldn't want to do a joint bid, but I don't think Canadians' travel would be one of them.

 

[joecct]

Re: World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?

You do realize that San Diego is only ~2 hours south of LA, right? A quick check on Kayak shows that all 4 combinations of flights from Toronto or Montreal to Dallas or Minneapolis are all right in the $600 range. I can think of lots of reasons why the US wouldn't want to do a joint bid, but I don't think Canadians' travel would be one of them.

Saw a few posts that during the BOS-TOR first round cup series, the flights from Buffalo to Boston were a lot (a whole lot) cheaper than from Toronto to Boston.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?

Saw a few posts that during the BOS-TOR first round cup series, the flights from Buffalo to Boston were a lot (a whole lot) cheaper than from Toronto to Boston.

really?!?! call me shocked. flights between two cities playing a playoff series were more than driving across the border yourself and flying from another city? no way. Seriously if anyone is surprised by this you don't understand simple econ, supply and demand. What does that have to do with a shared world cup? nothing...

 

[joecct]

Re: World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?

really?!?! call me shocked. flights between two cities playing a playoff series were more than driving across the border yourself and flying from another city? no way. Seriously if anyone is surprised by this you don't understand simple econ, supply and demand. What does that have to do with a shared world cup? nothing...

Well, if you live in Canada and want to travel (fly) to a game in the USA, it seems to make financial sense to travel across the World's Longest Undefended Border and save a loonie or two.

Brazil hits one at 45+ (Dante), leads Italy 1-0 at half.

 

[Patman]

While it's way too soon to tell, there is a "vibe" about the USMNT right now with Klinsman that reminds me of the Chicago Bulls in the late 1980s / early 1990s.

With Doug Collins as coach, the Bulls consistently made the playoffs, only to be eliminated in the 1st or 2nd round. At first, people were skeptical when Phil Jackson was hired (why replace a guy that brings us to the playoffs each year?), especially when some of Jackson's coaching methods seemed a bit, um, unorthodox. Yet, Jackson was able to get the stars to buy into the "team first" approach that led to the two three-peats.

Under Bradley, the US had some great moments, and perhaps also was stuck at a certain level of "above-average mediocrity" if that makes any sense, analogous to Collins and the Bulls. The start to Klinsman's tenure was similarly unorthodox, and it's too soon to tell if his methods will get the USA past the round of 16, past the round of 8, in Brazil 2014 (especially now with Scolari back in charge at Brazil). I'd sure love to see that though.

Look for a nice tough series of friendlies in 2014; it sounds like many teams want to spend some time in the USA for time-zone acclimatization ahead of traveling to Brazil (which is pretty much one hour earlier than the eastern US time zone).

He's getting the players to believe in their gut that merely getting out of their pool into the knockout stage just isn't good enough. He's starting to get them hungering for more. That's a huge change.

Yeah, it would be really nice to hope they are coming into their own... Not to say they aren't, I hope they are... Landon is just another piece... But if it doesn't fit well....

If this is it for Landon, he's been more than serviceable for his era but you always wished for more and that he'd thrive enough in Europe to pay national team dividends.

 

[Priceless]

Re: World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?

Yeah, it would be really nice to hope they are coming into their own... Not to say they aren't, I hope they are... Landon is just another piece... But if it doesn't fit well....

If this is it for Landon, he's been more than serviceable for his era but you always wished for more and that he'd thrive enough in Europe to pay national team dividends.

If nothing else, he's scored the most memorable goal in US Soccer history.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jbn3rOPmR9w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[J.D.]

Re: World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?

One point on CONCACAF being due to host a world cup, I don't think it's that simple. You have to take into account how many viable hosts there are in CONCACAF compared to UEFA. Undoubtedly there are way more in UEFA than CONCACAF.

 

[Priceless]

Re: World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?

One point on CONCACAF being due to host a world cup, I don't think it's that simple. You have to take into account how many viable hosts there are in CONCACAF compared to UEFA. Undoubtedly there are way more in UEFA than CONCACAF.

What? You don't think Panama, T&T, Costa Rica, Honduras etc could host?

 

[MountieBoyOz]

Re: World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?

What? You don't think Panama, T&T, Costa Rica, Honduras etc could host?

If Jack Warner were still around, he'd try to pitch that idea.

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?

What? You don't think Panama, T&T, Costa Rica, Honduras etc could host?

Eh, as a group maybe. But I would think there would be so many little political squabbles between all the different Central American countries that it would be about impossible for them as a united group would ever be able to put forth a working bid. Just getting all seven countries into a serious talk about doing it would be pretty herculian to pull it off.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?

One point on CONCACAF being due to host a world cup, I don't think it's that simple. You have to take into account how many viable hosts there are in CONCACAF compared to UEFA. Undoubtedly there are way more in UEFA than CONCACAF.

Well, the rules as they are currently written (and I freely admit that they could easily be changed), would prevent any UEFA or AFC country from getting the 2026 World Cup. That leaves CAF, OFC, CONMEBOL, and CONCACAF as options.

There are few viable options in CAF. Egypt may be the best situated to host, but with the 2022 Cup being played so close by in Qatar, I don't see that happening. Morocco was the runner-up for hosting in 2010, so they may also have a shot at getting the cup, but with South Africa recently hosting, that is still probably a long shot. My guess at %-wise chance that CAF hosts in 2026: <5%.

In the OFC, the options are even thinner, as basically New Zealand is the only real possibility to host. Obviously a lot can change by 2015 (when FIFA is rumored to select the hosts for 2026 and 2030), but I just don't see this having a strong chance. My guess at %-wise chance that OFC hosts in 2026: <1%.

CONMEBOL is always a possibility. Pretty much any of the major countries in South America could host. The biggest factors weighing against South America are that Brazil hosted in 2014, and that there is a movement to have the 100th Anniversary Cup back in Uruguay (potentially a joint bid w/Argentina) in 2030. Given that, my guess at %-wise chance that CONMEBOL hosts in 2026: <10%.

That leaves CONCACAF. I could easily see Canada getting the Cup, especially if the 2015 Women's World Cup goes well. That being said, the giant in the pool is the United States. I would think that any bid by the USA would immediately be the favorite. Also, I could easily see the USA joining with Canada (potentially even Mexico) on a bid. While the smaller countries likely stand very little chance, and are not really viable hosts, all one has to do is look at Qatar to see an example of a country that has no business hosting a Cup - but nonetheless is slated to host a Cup. The question for the small countries in CONCACAF becomes how much money do they have to bribe? Either way, unless the rules change, my guess at %-wise chance that CONCACAF hosts in 2026: >85%.

I certainly agree that UEFA has a ton of hosting options, including dozens of joint-bid opportunities. England is due. A Spain-Portugal joint bid was the runner-up for 2018. I would imagine a Scandinavian joint-bid would be appealing. By 2026 it will have been nearly a half-century since Italy last hosted (although, I'm skeptical that Italy would get a third Cup before England would get a second). Eastern Europe has possibilities (think Turkey or Greece), but I think their chances were hurt when Russia was selected for 2018 (and Qatar in 2022). The question really becomes, is FIFA willing to wait until 2034 (assuming a CONMEBOL 2030 Cup) for another UEFA host? I have my doubts, but until they change the rules, they won't be hosting in 2026.

 

[pirate]

Re: World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?

Watched a ton of soccer this weekend, mostly on DVR around other activities.

While we had stretches of holding our own, the U20's were handled easily by Spain. Now, it is Spain and these kids have apparently not lost an international match since they were 4. But, while we look at gaps between senior sides, it is noteworthy that the younger guys don't appear to be any more competitive, despite presumably having better facilities, early training etc. One thing is for sure...the best US team we put out there in the future will be 8 guys of Mexican American heritage mixed in with a few guys who moved from Africa/South America/Islands as youngsters and a few blonde haired guys on the bench for balance.

Thought the red card on the Red Bulls was harsh, and that is from a founding Union season ticket holder.

SI referenced this blog post regarding Spurs and Benteke, I thought the posts below it were pretty funny. I may now have another blog to check out periodically.
http://www.7500toholte.com/2013/6/5...ur-transfer-rumours-jermain-defoe-aston-villa

For those of you in the know, is June 30 a date at which transfers increase in frequency? I read somewhere that contracts end on June 30 and therefore more people will be moving near that date. Anybody know if that is accurate?

I can't see Villa giving up Benteke for less than 30million, especially less money and a player exchange; they are getting rid of Bent and the Ireland make weight deal was a debacle...so, I'd say no chance they take 20 million and some older guy. Hopefully they take nothing for him and they come back with him and the other young guys. I think they were the youngest team last year and all they have done is jetison Given, Bent, Collins, Dunne and hopefully Ireland, while signing 20-23 year old guys.

They will be late for all team social functions as the bouncers will need to check ID's at the door.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?

One of the biggest issues with Canada and the World Cup is going to be the turfs. Recently, there was an article where a couple of national team players were complaining that the games would be played on turf instead of grass, something that would never be allowed on the men's side (heck, didn't they have to sod a new field in Seattle for a qualifier). Obviously they could put down a temp field, but is that desirable? Would there be a policy change to allow for turf fields?

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?

One of the biggest issues with Canada and the World Cup is going to be the turfs. Recently, there was an article where a couple of national team players were complaining that the games would be played on turf instead of grass, something that would never be allowed on the men's side (heck, didn't they have to sod a new field in Seattle for a qualifier). Obviously they could put down a temp field, but is that desirable? Would there be a policy change to allow for turf fields?

They'd have to suck it up like the US did in 1994 and put in grass.

 

[FreshFish]

Re: World Soccer XXIII - "Pay" Up Pompey?

Would there be a policy change to allow for turf fields?

No. The ball doesn't behave properly on turf for international level skill. Like trying to play ice hockey on resilient plastic instead of ice.