GOOOOL! Miami Part of U.S.'s World Cup Bid
One of 18 cities selected for official US bid
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American soccer got a boost in the 2002 World Cup, when the United States shocked Portugal, Mexico and the world in general by advancing to the quarterfinals. Landon Donovan went on to become a star for the Los Angeles Galaxy, where his teammate is David Beckham.
Miami is one of 18 U.S. Metros to be included in the USA's official bid book for hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022.
The bid book will be submitted to FIFA in May of 2010 for a December 2010 decision. Included cities will help plan site visits from FIFA reps in September.
“The United States is equipped and ready to offer FIFA the opportunity to host a passionate and successful World Cup where fans, teams, partners and media can experience the beautiful game at its highest level while allowing the world soccer family to focus on the utmost mission of the game that benefits the World as a whole,” said Sunil Gulati, the Chairman of the USA Bid Committee and President of U.S. Soccer.
It's a little early to tell if the Magic City is a long shot or a leading candidate to host a few games, but recent plans to renovate Dolphin Stadium and a brand new stadium for the Florida Marlins should be enticing venues to add to any bid.
Along with Miami, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Dallas, Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle, Tampa and Washington D.C. will be included in the bid book. If the U.S. wins either the 2018 or 2020 bid, games can be played at venues in all 18 cities.
“By virtue of the quality of our cities and stadiums, it was very difficult to reduce the field to the maximum of 18 established by FIFA,” said David Downs, Executive Director of the USA Bid Committee. “We consider it a meaningful indicator of the significant growth of soccer in this country that we can put forth such a technically sound bid without four cities that served as hosts for the first FIFA World Cup in the United States in 1994. The emergence of passionate followings for the sport and state-of-the-art venues throughout the country has strengthened our ability to put together a truly national bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022.”
In 1994, games were played at venues in nine cities -- Los Angeles, Detroit, San Francisco, New Jersey, Orlando, Chicago, Dallas, Boston and Washington, D.C.
Viva la Futbol Party!
Posted Tuesday, Jan 12, 2010 - 5:24 PM EST
