I understand minimizing travel. But *Minnesota* in February? No, those sites were chosen to freeze Central American players. PERIOD. It’s why Canada chose to play Mexico in Edmonton. And why they’re playing the US in Hamilton. So the USSF said, “hold my beer” and scheduled TWO games in ice boxes. Minneapolis is 667 air miles from Hamilton. NYC is 360. Don’t tell me you’re minimizing travel.
You’re absolutely right, Grant. If you have confidence you can beat CONCACAF opponents anywhere, you wouldn’t schedule like this.
Not sure I believe the USSF. IF travel were the primary consideration, it seems Houston, Austin or Dallas would've made more sense than Nashville back in September as all 3 are much closer to El Salvador and Honduras.
That said, Charlotte NC instead of Minneapolis. More than 100 miles closer to Hamilton by air and not nearly as frigid.
Of course Portland, where Providence Park is essentially my second home. I saw my first-ever USMNT match in November against Mexico in Cincinnati and came away feeling like I had been to Soccer Heaven. Can't say that I buy the shorter flight argument. Playing in frigid cold, when it can be avoided, makes no sense at all.
I take nothing away from Portland: As much as I want the Timbers to be relegated below the USL, their supporters are the realist deal in North America. Seriously, Providence Park is an amazing place to watch the home side.
But why the heck would USSF have not put that game in Seattle? Sure you would have had more away fans but you would also have had crushingly more US fans (including most of Portland's because, again, those folks are the bomb). Choosing smaller venues simply exposes a lack of confidence in the relative strength of your side (just like these winter sites which are a relic of past campaigns when we did not clearly superior teams). [BTW, Grant here is a question for Berhalter - free of charge: Generally speaking it seems that superior teams are advantaged by pristine playing conditions whereas the less skilled side always chooses the most compromised pitch available. Based on theses two site selections, should US fans conclude it's MNT coach and federation do not believe their team is clearly superior to sides such as El Salvador and Honduras?).
Especially with Alex Roldan as Captain El Salvador; not putting the bRoldan Cage Match + Return of the Mercer Island Superhero in Seattle would have annoyed the living snot out of me. (Which my Timbers Outlaw brethren would have enjoyed extensively - just as I would have if I were standing in their Birkenstocks ;-).
Grant, what sort of rules does FIFA have regarding attire? Ive seen head protection on players like Jimenez, so id imagine theyd allow for some sort of ear protection. Any rules regarding leggings/tights?
It may not be disastrous in the end with how things are looking with the long term forecast for St. Paul, but a totally unforced error to hold the Honduras match in potentially below 0 F conditions.
I mean, obv., i would have liked the West Coast venues better, and not just because I live a mere 115 miles from Providence Park. I think given the venue in Hamilton, I’ll defer to Gregg and the staff that short travel outweighs the risk of injury that comes with cold.
I understand minimizing travel. But *Minnesota* in February? No, those sites were chosen to freeze Central American players. PERIOD. It’s why Canada chose to play Mexico in Edmonton. And why they’re playing the US in Hamilton. So the USSF said, “hold my beer” and scheduled TWO games in ice boxes. Minneapolis is 667 air miles from Hamilton. NYC is 360. Don’t tell me you’re minimizing travel.
You’re absolutely right, Grant. If you have confidence you can beat CONCACAF opponents anywhere, you wouldn’t schedule like this.
Not sure I believe the USSF. IF travel were the primary consideration, it seems Houston, Austin or Dallas would've made more sense than Nashville back in September as all 3 are much closer to El Salvador and Honduras.
That said, Charlotte NC instead of Minneapolis. More than 100 miles closer to Hamilton by air and not nearly as frigid.
Of course Portland, where Providence Park is essentially my second home. I saw my first-ever USMNT match in November against Mexico in Cincinnati and came away feeling like I had been to Soccer Heaven. Can't say that I buy the shorter flight argument. Playing in frigid cold, when it can be avoided, makes no sense at all.
I take nothing away from Portland: As much as I want the Timbers to be relegated below the USL, their supporters are the realist deal in North America. Seriously, Providence Park is an amazing place to watch the home side.
But why the heck would USSF have not put that game in Seattle? Sure you would have had more away fans but you would also have had crushingly more US fans (including most of Portland's because, again, those folks are the bomb). Choosing smaller venues simply exposes a lack of confidence in the relative strength of your side (just like these winter sites which are a relic of past campaigns when we did not clearly superior teams). [BTW, Grant here is a question for Berhalter - free of charge: Generally speaking it seems that superior teams are advantaged by pristine playing conditions whereas the less skilled side always chooses the most compromised pitch available. Based on theses two site selections, should US fans conclude it's MNT coach and federation do not believe their team is clearly superior to sides such as El Salvador and Honduras?).
Especially with Alex Roldan as Captain El Salvador; not putting the bRoldan Cage Match + Return of the Mercer Island Superhero in Seattle would have annoyed the living snot out of me. (Which my Timbers Outlaw brethren would have enjoyed extensively - just as I would have if I were standing in their Birkenstocks ;-).
I think this choice of cold-weather sites might end up biting us in the butt. An ugly game better suits the opposition.
Hahaha St. Paul ??, what's next Green Bay? I get it freeze em
Grant, what sort of rules does FIFA have regarding attire? Ive seen head protection on players like Jimenez, so id imagine theyd allow for some sort of ear protection. Any rules regarding leggings/tights?
It may not be disastrous in the end with how things are looking with the long term forecast for St. Paul, but a totally unforced error to hold the Honduras match in potentially below 0 F conditions.
It’s right out of the “South Park” movie - blame Canada.
Carson, California
Do we know where the final round of matches are yet? Why won’t they be in PDX for the March matches?
There is only one match at home in March (Panama) and it's already been announced for Orlando.
I mean, obv., i would have liked the West Coast venues better, and not just because I live a mere 115 miles from Providence Park. I think given the venue in Hamilton, I’ll defer to Gregg and the staff that short travel outweighs the risk of injury that comes with cold.