Perfect Setup
By Graig Carbino -- “Man, that’s gonna be cold,” was my first thought when the US Soccer Federation announced yesterday that the US Men would be playing their February 11th World Cup qualifier against Mexico in Columbus, OH. Shocked? Surprised? Disgusted? Come on, you didn’t really think they were going to play this thing in Salt Lake City, did you?
In case you were wondering, the average high temperature for Columbus in February is a balmy 38-degrees. The low? Try 21 degrees. In anybody’s world that is chilly. Keep in mind that I am a native of the Northeast. Imagine how the Mexican team must feel. Then consider the history of “El Tri” at this stadium and you get the sense that they might not be looking forward to their impending stay in Franklin County.
Even a passing fan of the US team knows why the Fed higher-ups decided to stage this heavyweight fight on the frozen tundra of Crew Stadium. Just look at the US Men’s history at this fabled (in MLS terms) ground and it’s pretty easy to figure out what made this decision.
The US has a 4-0-3 all-time record at Crew Stadium and is 3-0-2 in World Cup qualifying at the venue. We all certainly remember the “Guerra Fria” match played in February 2001 where goals from Josh Wolff and Earnie Stewart led the US to victory over Mexico in the first match of the final round of qualifying for the 2002 World Cup. The game-time temperature that day hit a high of just 29 degrees.
If you remember, Wolff had entered the match for Brian McBride who had to come off after banging heads with another Mexican player. The golf ball sized welt around McBride’s eye is an image I have yet to shake from my memory.
The US played Mexico in Columbus again in September 2005 and the same score line held up as goals from Steve Ralston and DaMarcus Beasley saw the States through. Certainly not as cold, but the atmosphere around the stadium was just as good. This was the famous “Onyewu Stare” game where he put Jared Borgetti in his back pocket and didn’t let him out until the final whistle.
US Soccer President Sunil Gulati said, “Our first priority is to give our team the best chance to be successful and achieve the goal of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, and Columbus Crew Stadium has always been a great venue for the national team.” Ya think? The conditions for this game are going to be down right nasty at best. Temperatures will most likely be in the 30’s or lower and there is always the chance of snow or a wintery mix to add to the setting. Beyond the weather though, here’s arguing that Columbus Crew stadium is the best venue for the US to play any meaningful qualifying match.
Forget the “Cathedral of American Soccer” out in Los Angeles. If you want a US Soccer home field advantage you hop a flight to Port Columbus International Airport and head over to the State Fairgrounds. That’s where you will find what I affectionately like to call the “mini Azteca in the 8th best large city in the U.S. to inhabit”?. Ok, so the name might need some tinkering, but you get the idea.
If you want fans of the US team, and the US team only, you go to Columbus. It is middle America at its best. Diverse? Not really, but for rooting purposes only I would argue that US Soccer officials don’t really care about the demographics. Sure, ideally they want the support of Mexican-Americans and Asian-Americans and every other ethnic group you can think of. In reality, they still do not have that vote.
It is going to take many more years of continued success from the US Men in order to draw the larger diverse groups of this country to their own National Team. Facts are facts, even when they come off a bit harsh.
This country is a melting pot and that’s what makes it great. When it comes right down to it though, the US Soccer Federation is looking for results and it’s easier to get them in Columbus than it would be in New York or Chicago or LA. The reason? There are more diverse populations in those larger locations, period.
For those of you who still believe players when they say home field advantage doesn’t really matter, just remember a few things. The US team almost never wins in Europe. Unless the game happens to be in or against Poland, you can usually chalk up an “L” in the results column. They also do not win in Mexico, ever. Let’s think for a second here. A rough record in Europe and seemingly unable to scratch a result Mexico. Could the atmosphere and crowd play some sort of role in these results?
Look, I am not trying to make Columbus Crew Stadium out to be the US version of Wembley. It’s not Camp Nou or Hampden Park. The Home Depot Center is much nicer and who wouldn’t rather travel to New York or Miami to watch a game. Heck, I’d rather suffer through a few hours at RFK Stadium in DC than go to Ohio in February.
What Crew Stadium offers can’t be seen or calculated in building costs. It isn’t fancy or equipped with what we’ve come to expect from the latest on soccer-specificity.
No, Crew Stadium has more of a grittier feel, a place where you go to battle. That’s why, when the results are really on the line, it is the perfect place for the US National team to fight for 90 minutes, to scrap for a result when nothing else matters. Make your travel plans now and bundle up. It will be cold, but well worth the trip.
