Looks like USMNT headed for Rice-Eccles!

[Jose Luis Luviano]

Originally Posted by bordelais7

Also wonder what % of the crowd will be Costa Rican. Or returned missionaries from Costa Rica thinking that it's cool to cheer for the wrong team just because they were there for 2 years. Or Mexicans who just come to cheer against the U.S.

Mexicans already have a track record of supporting the US against Costa Rica......

In 1985, a USMNT consisting of indoor players and a couple college guys hosted Costa Rica in Torrance, CA. All we needed was a tie to go to the final qualifying round for Mexico '86.

There were about 20 Gringos there, including me. There were about 12,000 Costa Ricans. But there were also at least a few hundred Mexicans & other Central Americans. Why not? Tickets were $8 or something like that & El Tri did not have any qualifiers to play. A Mexican guy ran around at half time on the field with my American flag.

I think everyone knows that we lost 1-0.

When I lived in southern California, some of the most, pardon the expression, Loyal US fans were Latinos. As long as we were not playing their home country.

Grand Galactic Emperor (And Independiente fan, like Loyal1) Ozzy would often lead the Sam's Army section with his drum.

Back at the '98 Gold Cup first round game against Costa Rica in Oakland, the Tri fans who were filtering in to watch the 2nd half of the double header (Mexico-Honduras) got a big kick out of me trying to start an "Estados Unidos jamas sera vencido" chant. Some of them even joined in.

As for returned missionaries who support Costa Rica just because they were there for 2 years; are we sure that ending Blood Atonement was a bad idea?

[Aero]

Does anyone have any idea about which match will be played first? Will RSL be the warmup or will they play in the evening after the US team? Is there a usual way that this is done?

[Arelius]

Originally Posted by Aero

Does anyone have any idea about which match will be played first? Will RSL be the warmup or will they play in the evening after the US team? Is there a usual way that this is done?

USMNT plays first, then RSL plays at 7:30 pm. See:

http://real.saltlake.mlsnet.com/MLS/schedule/season.jsp?team=rsl

Real wants to capitalize on the huge crowd that the Men's Nats will draw.

[Aero]

Yes, I saw that time, but the date is wrong so I wasn't sure about the time either. They currently have that match being played on Fri, June 3. I was just wondering if the time might change also with the date change.

I hope you are correct though. Do you think that if either of our players doesn't play in the USMNT match, that they might play in the RSL match? Or will they be out even if they never step on the field in the earlier game?

[Arelius]

Originally Posted by Aero

Yes, I saw that time, but the date is wrong so I wasn't sure about the time either. They currently have that match being played on Fri, June 3. I was just wondering if the time might change also with the date change.

I hope you are correct though. Do you think that if either of our players doesn't play in the USMNT match, that they might play in the RSL match? Or will they be out even if they never step on the field in the earlier game?

I don't see why our boys couldn't suit up in the case they weren't called upon during the first match.

[Rover]

Originally Posted by Arelius

I don't see why our boys couldn't suit up in the case they weren't called upon during the first match.

Not unheard of, if they don't play. But I can't believe they wouldn't play. 🙂

[soccerman]

Surely RSL will play 1st and USMNT 2nd??
Please don't make a WCQ the 1st half of a double header!!
(I love Real Salt Lake, but come on - WCQ v MLS regular season?)

[Aero]

Originally Posted by soccerman

Surely RSL will play 1st and USMNT 2nd??

That's what I was thinking. I would imagine the WCQ would be the main event. I really don't mind it either way, but that's the way I thought it would be originally with the WCQ second.

[Jose Luis Luviano]

I hope that RSL plays first.

We Blitzz fans remember that late June games that start at 4 PM in Rice Eccles or so can be a bit toasty. And the Ticos are well-accustomed to playing in the heat.

Heck, I hope that US-Costa Rica starts at 8 so it cools off a little bit, to what our European-based players are used to.

[Rover]

Originally Posted by Jose Luis Luviano

I hope that RSL plays first.

We Blitzz fans remember that late June games that start at 4 PM in Rice Eccles or so can be a bit toasty. And the Ticos are well-accustomed to playing in the heat.

Heck, I hope that US-Costa Rica starts at 8 so it cools off a little bit, to what our European-based players are used to.

All good points, but I'm still so HIGHLY MOTIVATED about the event, I'd be happy with a 2:00 a.m. start.

Reality may set in, but not yet! 😉