U.S. National Team Draws Light Crowd In San Diego Despite MLS Hype

The U.S. men's national team's friendly against Serbia at Qualcomm Stadium was a "largely drab affair," and the crowd was "equally ho-hum." Attendance was "announced at 20,079 but, several stadium insiders admitted, was closer to 17,000 despite a Sunday afternoon kickoff, pristine weather and the growing buzz" of an MLS franchise coming to San Diego. U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati noted that the crowd was "larger than most for January friendlies." The "last time the U.S. men had a smaller crowd" at Qualcomm Stadium was 15,253 for Paraguay in '98 (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 1/30). 

Meanwhile, the Bay Area will "host a World Cup Final Round Qualifier" for the first time since '97 when the U.S. faces Honduras at Avaya Stadium on March 24. The match will mark coach Bruce Arena's "first World Cup qualifier since taking over from Jurgen Klinsmann." Due to "high demand and a limited supply of tickets at 18,000-seat Avaya Stadium, U.S. Soccer will use a lottery system to allocate tickets" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 1/30).