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.