Philly among 18 U.S. finalists to host World Cup
Philadelphia is among 18 finalists the U.S. Soccer Bid Committee plans to submit to FIFA on Friday in hopes of hosting the World Cup in either 2018 or 2022.
Philadelphia is among 18 finalists the U.S. Soccer Bid Committee plans to submit to FIFA on Friday in hopes of hosting the World Cup in either 2018 or 2022.
U.S. Soccer president and bid committee chair Sunil Gulati, in addition to executive director David Downs, managing director John Kristick and national team captain Carlos Bocanegra, will be among the group that will submit the bid book to soccer's world governing body during a formal ceremony at FIFA's headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. FIFA will then have nearly 7 months to deliberate before announcing its final decision on Dec. 2.
Australia, England and Russia also have formally declared their desire to host the games in addition to joint bids from Netherlands-Belgium and Portugal-Spain. Japan, Qatar and South Korea are only bidding to host the tournament in 2022.
Union vs. Ecuador
The Union will hold a closed practice at Lincoln Financial Field this morning against Ecuador's national team.
Ecuador is coming off a 0-0 draw against Mexico in an international friendly last Friday that drew an estimated 77,000 to the new Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey. The Union (1-5) is in preparation for its second home game of the season against FC Dallas (2-1-4) at 4 p.m. Saturday (6.2ABC), also at the Linc.