Likely U.S. World Cup Qualifier Destinations

As the time approaches for US Soccer to select their home fields for the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, let's take a look at the candidates for hosting the games for the U.S. mens' national soccer team. The qualifiers are to be held starting in June and run through 2009.

Locks:

Columbus, Ohio - The Americans have a definite home advantage in Crew Stadium, particularly against Mexico, their hated rivals. Having Mexico play in the chilly weather virtually guarantees the U.S. will pick up at least three points in any round of qualifying. It's a nice contrast to Mexico City, where the Americans are virtually guaranteed of picking up no points.

Carson, Calif. (Home Depot Center) - Obviously if you were the U.S. you would not want to play Mexico in the HDC, for the match would become almost one-sided, in favor of El Tri. But if you were to play Canada, for example, or even Cuba, the odds would become more stacked in the U.S. favor.

Miami - The Americans almost always play one game in Miami, usually against a Caribbean island nation. This will not change.

Foxboro, Mass. - A large pro-American crowd always follows when the U.S. plays at Gillette Stadium. You're likely to see a team the caliber of Costa Rica or Guatemala play here, a team that is not quite at the level of El Tri.

Maybes:

Salt Lake City - This city is fast becoming a lock after its largely pro-American contingent watched the U.S. decimate a strong Costa Rican side in the last WCQ. Look for the Americans to possibly play Cuba, a fast-growing soccer power ranked 70^th in the latest FIFA rankings this summer. Jamaica is another possibility in part to the ties of Real Salt Lake midfielder Andy Williams. The surprise is that the Americans wouldn't play at the new Sandy stadium, scheduled to be ready in the summer of 2008. You may see the Americans play at Rice-Eccles Stadium, a facility seating 50,000-plus.

Denver - If the Cubans don't end up in Salt Lake City they'll more than likely end up in the Mile High City at the new Dicks Sporting Goods Park. But the chances of the Americans playing at altitude is 50-50, depending on the USSF mood. As a point of reference, the U.S. always trains for matches in Mexico City at the altitude of Colorado Springs, 50 miles south. So it's possible you could see Panama or El Salvador play here.

Houston - You would never see Mexico play here, unless it were a friendly match. Reliant Stadium is a great facility (unlike Robertson Stadium, which shouldn't even be called a stadium) but it would likely host a smaller nation, such as Barbados or Jamaica.

Seattle - You won't see Canada play here, but you may see Cuba play here, in part to the Seattle Sounders of the USL and their association to several past Cuban players. Qwest Field will be home to MLS' newest franchise and should see at least one game before qualifying ends in 2009.

Chicago - El Salvador and any of the Central American countries are likely to play here, but don't count out Canada or Jamaica. And both Soldier Field and Toyota Park, home to MLS' Chicago Fire are strong possibilities to get matches, the latter being those hosting smaller countries and lesser national teams.

Dallas (Pizza Hut Park) - Again, you won't see Mexico here, in part to the home field advantage the Americans prefer in the match. But Jamaica and Barbados are possibilities and Central American nations, particularly Guatemala and El Salvador could play here.

Not likely

Kansas City - It has been years since Arrowhead Stadium, that grand 80,000-seat facility has hosted a game. Don't look for that to change this time around.

New York - Giants Stadium is too big for any visiting national team and Red Bull Park in suburban New Jersey is still being built.

Washington, DC - RFK Stadium may be a grand old building but the Americans are finding other places to play. At one point in time they were one of the greats.

Pasadena, Calif. (Rose Bowl) - Probably home to more U.S. national team triumphs than any other stadium, however, it's too large a venue and the HDC is far more intimate.

Palo Alto, Calif. (Stanford Stadium) - Another great American soccer venue that is too big for WCQ.

Portland, Ore. - There is a lot to like about Portland, which hosts at least one friendly on average during each U.S. World Cup cycle. And a game with Canada in the intimate PGE Park venue with its rabid fans would definitely make one feel like they were back in the United Kingdom. So out of all the not likely venues, this city is the closest to a maybe, with its pro-American feel.

Rochester, N.Y. - I've never understood why the Americans don't play more in Rochester, but they won't start a new trend this cycle.

Cary, N.C. - One of the more beautiful places to play, the facility is shrouded in tall pines and is severely understated for all of its beauty. The U.S. has only played friendlies here thus far.

Phoenix - University of Phoenix Stadium has really, really tried to bring in top teams, but the crowds have always been small, which is particularly disconcerting for a stadium with a retractable roof.

One thing is clear: the Americans, what with a sizable improvement in the national teams from the CONCACAF region, will need a decided homefield advantage to make it to World Cup 2010 in South Africa.