Photo by ISIphotos.com
It appears that the U.S. men's national team will kick off its pre-World Cup qualifying friendly tour in the southeast.
According to reports out of Jacksonville, Fla., the U.S. men will host Scotland at EverBank Field — home of the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars — on May 26.
A match in Jacksonville would mark the third time in less than a year that the U.S. national team will have played in Florida. The U.S. men played Panama in the Gold Cup in Tampa last June and returned to the Sunshine State to play Honduras in a friendly in Miami in October.
The reported friendly would be the first of three World Cup qualifying tune-up matches. U.S. Soccer has already confirmed friendlies against Brazil at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., on May 30 and against Canada at BMO Field in Toronto on June 3.
World Cup qualifying begins June 8 against Antigua and Barbuda at a to-be-named U.S. site.
What do you make of this development?
Share your thoughts below.
There’s an abundance of grass in the PNW, just not the kind you play soccer on.
Just push the wedding back, she’ll understand.
It’s only the biggest city by area, not population. Miami is more than 4 times more populated.
Jacksonville reminds me of Atlanta and Charlotte — still a town very deeply rooted in college sports.
Too old. I actually like it (nice view of the skyline, easy MARTA access) but it just is never in the conversation.
unfortunately its Orlando drumming up the noise
true, the games played at the Georgia Dome arn’t great, what about GT’s stadium?
Yeah I don’t get why you would play three USMNT games in Florida in one year or any one state for that matter.
1999 they played Germany – I was a bit younger then.
You all hating on Jacksonville based on the NFL is ridiculous. The National team games will draw in Tampa, Orlando, and a good portion of GA – hell Atlanta is 5 1/2 hrs away. This is the first time I can think of they have played in Jax – and I think you will be pleasantly surprised – it is the biggest city in Florida.
That Super Bowl was not well-regarded, and the Jaguars attendance has been bad.
They recognized Jax’s stadium skill at closing off sections of unsold seats. Which they will put to use playing Scotland in Florida.
IMO if all you’re going to do is sell 20K tickets or less why not fill one of our soccer-specific playpens rather than having a spotty crowd scattered across a football stadium?
I’m with you.
That would be awesome but I don’t see it. They had two teams fail already.
Based on what exactly?
Hosting one of the largest college football games every year?
Hosting one of the largest golf tournaments in the world every year?
Hosting a Super Bowl in 2005?
Hosting a first round regional of the NCAA basketball tourney every three years?
Oh snap, I totally forgot about that….
I remember reading the inital reports saying NY, but then forgot it’s at FedEx when they confirmed it..oh well no harm done, I’m not going, but if I was DC is only a few hours worth of a train ride….lol
Point stands malkin, you can catch a very short train or barely a 1 hour plan ride to DC
Thanks Modibo, totally forgot about that..and didn’t read that part up top…
What have you “witnessed” to form this opinion? Certainly not the world’s largest outdoor cocktail party (aka-Florida/Georgia weekend)
Are all these Florida matches Possibly priming the pump for a future MLS team?
Just moved to SC from WI this summer and am very excited to have the USMNT play only 4 hours away. I will definitely be there with the family!
The PNW can not complain about not getting a game until they get grass
“Heeeeeeaaaad! Turn off the Bay City Rollers. The soccer match is starting.”
Nice….they should make a big huge section for the Navy folks to come out in Uniform. AO behind one goal and Navy behind the other!
That’s a ridiculous statement. You don’t know what you’re talking about.
As a Jacksonville resident, may I add…
oh HELL YES!!!
Seattle should lay down some grass to host some international friendlies as well know SOMEONE will be down there this summer, maybe Real Madrid will make it there this year…Mourinho likes training in LA so he could go up the West Coast????
If they laid the grass in April, the could have it ready for the May. They would just have to move their game vs the Rapids to another date or play it somewhere else..They would have the grass ready by May 2nd for the LA Galaxy game and then for the late May games had they tried to get USMNT matches…. and then bam CCL and friendlies would have been there..
But I get that it’s expensive to take care of the grass….just wish they would get grass somehow, at least until the Seahawks start to play
Maybe this is why we need an outdoor football stadium in Atlanta…
Umm, Edwin, hope you haven’t gotten tix to NYC that weekend because Brazil is booked to play the US in DC.
Yes, average temp of 84 in May. Oh no! They better move FC Dallas, too.
Smart — nice 3-day weekend to get married.
Still, that must’ve driven you nuts.
Well assuming you’re not taking off on your Honeymoon immediately after your Wedding Weekend of the 27th…3 days later on Wednesday they play Brazil at the New Meadowlands stadium or “Metlife Stadium”
Don’t disappoint us, Jacksonville.
You’re one of the worst sports towns I’ve ever witnessed in by far the worst sports state in our country.
Glad to see Nats games in the Midwest. Oh wait, that’s only Mexico that plays in Chicago…
So, are there no FIFA match days in March and April of 2012?
Haha – thanks for clarifying that! I think it’s pretty cool too, and you are correct about Intuition. Congrats on the wedding.
Damn they are going to be SUPER Busy this summer..
3 friendlies in 9 days, then 2 Qualifiers in a week and a half later…And the Olympics for 3 over age players and some of the guys like Agudelo and maybe Chandler who could be part of the U-23 team who are part of the Senior squad as well as with Shea..
That and they need to replace their turf with real grass.
Nice 3-hour road-trip. I’ll be there. Party of at least 5 coming from Tampa. do not yet have a Scottish cap.
May 26, huh? That should stir the pot a little on club v. country, again.
I am starting to think that after Canada snubbed VAN City for Toronto and the lack of Nats visits SEA or PDX that Cascadia needs to declare its independence. That’s apparently the only way we’ll be hosting a National Team anytime soon.
It’s even hotter in Jamaica and Guatemala
I can understand playing in FL in the winter but it’s insane to play down there in late spring. Bring it on up north, why is that not obvious to US Soccer? Or is Klinsy hoping he can get a win because the Scots wont be used to the heat.
Jacksonville?! W. T. H.
and for the record, it’s not really that much of a sh!thole. It’s actually pretty cool. Be sure to check out Intuition Ale Works while you’re in town…their new canned beers are perfect for tailgating!
That is great news! It’s going to be a really good weekend to be in Jacksonville since they’ll be having the Jazz Festival downtown. Orlando is just down the road and they’ve got some great fans – hopefully some of them will make the trip to add to the atmosphere.
Are you kidding me!?!?! I moved to this sh!thole town 9 months ago, but of course that’s the weekend I’m getting married back in nyc.
Great news for Jacksonville! So excited to have the US team playing in my backyard.
Jacksonville? Didn’t see that one coming..
Word. I’ve been waiting for a game actually close by
Is this Soccer By Ives or Soccer By Avi? Wheres the Robles to Red Bulls story?
Just glad it’s not more CONCACAF opposition. Hopefully it also means that Kansas City is going to land a World Cup Qualifying match or two.
Jax resident here… and I’m delighted!