News of the Arroyo
Title: | Home Depot Center scores Cup final |
Subtitle: | |
Date: | 2003-06-13 |
Summary: | June 13, 2003 -- In awwarding the Women's World Cup soccer final to the new Home Depot Center in Carson, a top US soccer official takes an ominous swipe at the Rose Bowl as a venue for future soccer events. |
Author: | Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer |
Publication: | Pasadena Star News |
Content: | The Home Depot Center in Carson will host the Women\'s World Cup final on Oct. 12, U.S. soccer officials formally announced on Thursday. In addition, officials hope to schedule a Sept. 1 exhibition involving the U.S. team at the Home Depot Center in preparation for the fourth Women\'s World Cup, which is scheduled to run from Sept 20 through Oct. 12. The Home Depot Center was one of six venues chosen for the tournament. All are MLS or WUSA home facilities. The others stadiums are Columbus Crew Stadium in Ohio, Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., RFK Stadium in Washington D.C., and PGE Park in Portland, Ore. Schedules will be announced at a later date. \"There were a number of important drivers in finalizing these six venues as hosts,\' said U.S. president Bob Contiguglia. \"First, we thought it was important to balance WUSA market representation with that of MLS and the soccer community as a whole. \"In that regard, recognizing soccer-specific stadiums in Columbus and the Home Depot Center was also high on our priority list, and we believe showcasing our National Training Center in Carson was also very, very important.\' Contiguglia explained further why the Home Depot Center was chosen over the Rose Bowl, which hosted the 1999 Women\'s World Cup final. \"Clearly the Home Depot represents our future,\' said Contiguglia. \"For anyone who was there last weekend, it was a no-brainer to say where the final should be. Using soccer-specific stadiums is the direction we\'re taking, and the Home Depot symbolizes that.\' FIFA had requested that stadiums have a capacity of at least 30,000, but U.S. Soccer Secretary General Dan Flynn said FIFA accepted the Home Depot, despite having only 27,000 seats. U.S. women\'s team coach April Heinrichs toured the Home Depot Center a few weeks ago and was hoping the new stadium would be chosen. \"It\'s a state-of-the-art facility that helps inspire the players and the fans,\' said Heinrichs. \"I was also hoping FIFA and U.S. soccer would choose it because it helps establish that this is not the same as 1999, that this is 2003.\' Tickets will go on sale in the near future, and with only 27,000 available in Carson, they aren\'t expected to last long. \"It\'s going to be a hot ticket,\' said Heinrichs. \"I\'m not a ticket person, but I would bet that once the tickets go on sale, they\'re going to go fast and they\'re going to be in demand.\' Fred J. Robledo can be reached at (626) 962-8811, Ext. 4485, or by e-mail at fred.robledo@sgvn.com |
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