It looked horrendous, I only caught the second half but it was repeatedly talked about by the homer US commentators which to me is a pretty damning statement. I know Seattle deserved a game, but they really do need to do a better job with the field conditions for these things.
You would think it would be easy to grow a green lawn in Seattle. Maybe too wet?
I assume the pitch in Panama City would not be immaculate.
It was temporary grass on pallets placed on top of the artificial turf used for MLS and Seahawks games.
The stupid part was that they had an MLS game on it the day before and they tore the hell out of it.
Quote:
In order to bring a World Cup qualifier to America's Pacific Northwest -- where the weather makes artificial surface almost required -- putting down a temporary grass surface was a condition.
Seattle obliged, but the surface was far from ideal.
"Look, clearly there are a lot of things that go into making these decisions. Seattle certainly deserves a game, but I think the field unfortunately leaves a lot to be desired."
But making the commitment to bring any major football match to Seattle comes with a host of logistical obstacles, none larger than the playing surface.
"Obviously, it comes in in trays and doesn't have a lot of time to kind of gel together so you look for spots on the field that may tear up easily and avoid them if possible," U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard said.
When the U.S. held its first training session on the surface Sunday, it was already showing signs of wear after the Sounders played Vancouver the night before. The center of the field was churned up and seams were noticeable. The field was installed the middle of last week.
Great result and an electric atmosphere. You can smell Brazil. The broadcast didn't catch the 3 busloads of Panamanians who were so positive and loud despite the result nor the fans yelling N-S-A.
I was pleasantly surprised how effective Cameron was who had a part on both goals.
As for grass-gate, overblown issue and a non factor in the match.
Here is a visual example during warmups of the toupee special after the Sounders/Whitecaps. Credit to the CLink staff who worked around the clock for a week to make it as playable as possible.
Spoiler!
Last edited by seattleflamer; 06-13-2013 at 12:12 AM.
Great result and an electric atmosphere. You can smell Brazil. The broadcast didn't catch the 3 busloads of Panamanians who were so positive and loud despite the result nor the fans yelling N-S-A.
I was pleasantly surprised how effective Cameron was who had a part on both goals.
As for grass-gate, overblown issue and a non factor in the match.
Here is a visual example during warmups of the toupee special after the Sounders/Whitecaps. Credit to the CLink staff who worked around the clock for a week to make it as playable as possible.
Spoiler!
I'm not sure a warmup picture really proves much, that's obviously when it was going to be at its best. The decision to put a surface that was already going to be less than ideal under more strain by playing an extra game on it is just puzzling.
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^^^Oh I know and they're were lots of divots within 15 minutes and players slipping.
It was to address some of the hyperbole that the pitch was "tore up" and a "freakin' disaster" which obviously overstates the issue considering this was the start of game 2.
Neither the Whitecaps nor Panama filed offical protests so not optimal but not a factor either.
Uzbekistan and Jordan will playoff home and away in September with that winner playing a playoff home and away against 5th placed South America (probably Uruguay)
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Anyone know how far in advance countries announce the venue for their upcoming qualifiers. I'm planning a trip to Portugal/Spain in October and want to be able to catch Portugal's two qualifiers, but can't find a venue or city yet.
Anyone know how far in advance countries announce the venue for their upcoming qualifiers. I'm planning a trip to Portugal/Spain in October and want to be able to catch Portugal's two qualifiers, but can't find a venue or city yet.
There is no set time but these have been announced.
I didn't know where to put this, but when I saw this I just chuckled. This has got to be one of the biggest wastes of money ever, but when you're swimming in oil money why not piss $200 billion away?
Quote:
A report from Deloitte says the oil-and-gas rich nation of Qatar plans to spend $200 billion over the next decade as it prepares to host the 2022 World Cup.
The report, released on Tuesday, said $140 billion of that will be for transportation infrastructure including a new airport, roads and a metro system to deal with the 400,000 fans expected for the month-long tournament.
Another $20 billion will go to tourism infrastructure as the Persian Gulf nation expects the number of tourists to reach 3.7 million annually by 2022.
Qatar was awarded the World Cup in December 2010, beating out the United States, Australia, Japan and South Korea. It was a surprise choice considering the summer heat exceeds 40 degrees (104 F) in the desert country.
Sepp Blatter has confirmed that he will ask the FIFA executive committee to move the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the winter, insisting: "Where there's a will, there's a way."
Temperatures in the Gulf state can reach 50°C during the summer, and FIFA president Blatter told L’Equipe in May that it is “not rational and reasonable to play in June-July”.
Speaking in Austria on Wednesday, Blatter said: “There is still enough time. I will bring this up to the executive committee.
“If this World Cup is to become a party for the people, you can’t play football in the summer. You can cool down the stadiums, but you can’t cool down the whole country.”
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I dunno. Shifting the whole damn thing to the winter might work, especially in countries like Germany where they have a winter break, but it would be a logistical nightmare.
I dunno Sepp, maybe dont award the World Cup to Satan's Ass hole?
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Hey....look at that, the Bundesliga is okay with it and the EPL doesnt like it.
Quote:
Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and the German Football League (DFL) have backed FIFA president Sepp Blatter’s plans to move the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the winter.
“No doubt about it, it is good to hear if FIFA agrees on playing the 2022 World Cup during the winter,” Rummenigge is quoted as saying by Express. “A tournament during the summer is not feasible.”
The Premier League has hit out at FIFA proposals to move the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the winter.
A Premier League spokesman told Press Association Sport: “The Premier League position remains unchanged. The prospect of a winter World Cup is neither workable nor desirable for European domestic football.''
I think the FA are still pissed that it was awarded to Qatar in the first place.
I know, they even trotted David Beckham around to try and win that one.
I heard he even tried to sleep with Sepp Blatter. Almost worked. The FA should remember that the key to winning isnt sexual favours, its sexual favours and bribery.
Cant forget the bribery. Its the key ingredient.
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