CenturyLink Field (Seattle, WA)
Capacity: 67,000
Inauguration: July 28, 2002
Cost: $430 million
Figured I’d begin this series here at home. It’s hard to
call any stadium in the USA iconic as we are definitely a country in the
process of writing our soccer history. You could make an argument for the Rose Bowl since it was the home of the 1994
World Cup Final and is one of the most recognizable stadiums in the country. It
was the venue where Roberto Baggio skied his penalty over the bar to give
Brazil the title (one of the most memorable moments in recent World Cup
history). However, it is only occasionally used for soccer and its primary
affiliation is obviously with college football. For that reason, I opted against
it.
Seattle’s CenturyLink Field is
my choice for the USA’s best soccer venue. Home to the Sounders as well as the
Seahawks, CenturyLink Field is constantly reaching maximum capacity for events.
There doesn’t seem to be a better atmosphere in the USA to experience a soccer
game. The Emerald City Supporters certainly know how
to be loud (much like the Seahawks’ 12th Man)
and Sounders fans are one of the few MLS fanbases that can rival some European
counterparts. Seattle fans certainly know how to have a good time at sporting
events and they definitely give their teams a significant home-field advantage.
With USMNT stars Clint Dempsey and DeAndre Yedlin representing them, the
Sounders offer a glimpse into the transition between the old and the new for
American Soccer. If there is one place to showcase to the world what American
Soccer can be, this is it.
Check in again tomorrow as we travel south to the Azteca.
And be sure to check out our previous post here.
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