The U.S. men's national team tonight faces Ecuador in the quarterfinals of the Copa America Centenario at CenturyLink Field, and as of late yesterday afternoon organizers said that "more than 20,000 tickets remained unsold," according to Kevin Baxter of the L.A. TIMES. That makes it "likely the U.S. game will be the only quarterfinal that won’t sell out." Rukkus Data analyst Jake Sharpless said that demand on the secondary market "has also been weak, with the average price of $181 less than half what tickets to the Colombia-Peru ($426) and Mexico-Chile ($489) games were going for." Although the U.S. is the host country, Mexico and Argentina "both averaged larger crowds in group play." And Colombian supporters "outnumbered American fans in the tournament opener in Santa Clara." But in "soccer-mad Seattle, the U.S. will definitely be the home team" (L.A. TIMES, 6/16). In Portland, Jamie Goldberg notes more tickets "will certainly be sold" before tonight's game and the attendance for the game "could easily surpass that of Tuesday's match between Argentina and Bolivia at CenturyLink Field, which drew 45,753." The game "should also draw more fans" than the 40,847 the U.S. drew for its World Cup qualifier against Panama at CenturyLink in '13. But the final attendance for the game "might still be lower than the USA's average attendance numbers in the Copa America to date." The USMNT "drew an average attendance of 52,707 during the group stage" (Portland OREGONIAN, 6/16).
TURF WARS: In DC, Steven Goff writes Seattle’s support of the sport "would seem to make it a regular destination for national team friendlies and World Cup qualifiers." But artificial turf "has disqualified CenturyLink Field from most consideration." For Copa America, organizers "installed a temporary grass field over turf at several venues, including Seattle." The same "expensive move allowed the Americans to play a World Cup qualifier here against Panama three years ago" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/16).
CHAMPIONSHIP ASPIRATIONS: In New Jersey, John Brennan cites SeatGeek data as showing that before Colombia was upset by Costa Rica and Brazil "shockingly failed to advance, the median listing price" for tomorrow's Copa America quarterfinal at MetLife Stadium on the secondary market was $300. Six days later, with a U.S.-Brazil match out the window and Colombia facing Peru instead, the typical listing price "went up -- to $398." The median listing price for the title game at the Meadowlands on June 26 "was a mere $477 when the tournament started two weeks ago, but now it has risen" 65% to $787. The title game "may outperform any Giants or Jets game in the new stadium, topped only" by Super Bowl XLVIII in '14 (Bergen RECORD, 6/16).
