Our series on stadiums of the potential World Cup in America continues...
Indianapolis - Lucas Oil Stadium
Probably one of the coolest venues on the list, Lucas Oil Stadium offers an indoor-outdoor feel to those soccer aficionados that are looking to keep the purity of an outside game. With a retractable roof and movable windows, the wonderful Midwest air can flow through the stadium on a moment's notice. While not the largest place for football, the brand new facility offers all the amenities and has a great charm on the exterior and the interior.
The downsides are easy to find, however. Indianapolis has never been considered a destination (unless you are a racing fan) and the image of a podunk town getting a World Cup bid can upset a lot of people. That being said, Indianapolis has just built a brand new international airport that will be able to service all travelers and their highway system is pretty good considering every time I have driven through there it was during rush hour and never once felt any pressure from drivers. The MLS International approved!
Jacksonville - Jacksonville Municipal Stadium
The municipal stadium in Jacksonville is one of the oddballs in my opinion. Because the facility is only 15 years old, I feel hesitant to even discuss the matter there just because the stadium appears older than it should. Perhaps it's because the building was originally built from the Gator Bowl, but this building doesn't scream "give me soccer or give me death" to anyone.
Summing up Jacksonville's bid in a stadium, however important, is still unfair to a city with some soccer history. Jacksonville had the Tea Men back in the days of the NASL, and the city successfully hosted a friendly between Germany back in 2000. They are also used to large crowds, handling the Super Bowl back in 2005 and the Gator Bowl since 1995. Soccer in Florida has been hit or miss in terms of support, but doubting that Jacksonville will not be gracious hosts is ridiculous.
Kansas City - Arrowhead Stadium
Another old stadium that is well past its prime, Arrowhead stadium is next on our tour of the U.S. in our nation's heartland. The position of the city in the country allows a lot of people to hop from place to place with relative ease and the city's culture brings a lot of people into the area as well. There is plenty to see and do in the city outside of soccer, but the idea of a World Cup match in K.C. has got to get some people revved up.
The Wizards were hosted at Arrowhead from 1996 to 2007 but elected for a smaller venue for their fans. Because of the number of spectators that the stadium can hold (79,000) it is one of the larger venues for the proposed bid. The open air feel and the gracious amount of space that seems to be given due to the wide breadth in the upper deck make it seem like the stadium can really make the game look beautiful. Now if only there was a better way of getting there besides a shuttle...
Los Angeles - Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Rose Bowl
Los Angeles has the good graces of having two stadiums on the potential list of U.S. venues. First, the Coliseum welcomes fans into a stadium huge on traditions and sporting culture, something everyone can appreciate. From football to baseball to even soccer with the Aztecs, the Coliseum has been able to hold massive crowds and still provide everything that fans need. Potential renovations to the stadium might increase the drool factor for area fans that want a match nearby. The MLS International approved!
Second on the list, the Rose Bowl has had very recent success in soccer. When FC Barcelona came to town over the summer, over 90,000 fans took to the stands to see them take on the Galaxy. It might be located outside of Los Angeles, but the stadium provides some great history just like the Coliseum. My only gripe about this stadium is that it is very low, similar to what Michigan Stadium is like. The views of soccer pitches are best from above and this stadium just can't cut it.
Miami - Land Shark Stadium
Formerly Dolphins Stadium, Land Shark Stadium seats around 75,000, making it a marketable stadium that can host a very attractive match or two in 2018/2022. The sights, sounds and encompassing beauty of the area is enough to draw people to the south shores but if that was not enough, the international flair that Miami exudes will bring people from all over to the Sunshine State.
For those that believe that the Miami Fusion FC flash in the pan that occurred years ago will inhibit this bid, remember that the World Cup is also as brief but more rewarding. In a state that is eager to rejoin the MLS, a spot on the bid list gives the city extra motivation to put in a franchise in the near future. In addition, Jozy Altidore grew up nearby so I am sure that will nudge some people to check out a game or two with his extended family of fans. The MLS International approved!
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While Indiana might not have the glitz that some other bid cities do, it is important to realize that these folks know how to put on a sporting event. The city has hosted dozens of Final Fours and is home of the NCAA. The city hosted the FINA world swimming championships a few years back, and is putting together a bid for the 2012 Super Bowl. It’s a major artery to several other cities throughout the mid-west, and not exactly a Cow-town.
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