The U.S. national team returns to the nation’s capital and the aging Robert F Kennedy stadium this weekend after a four-year absence for the World Cup qualifier against Cuba. Players and coach alike are pleased to be there, reports Steven Goff.
“My main memory is just that it always feels like a real soccer facility,” said U.S. coach Bob Bradley. “There is always an excellent crowd, there is passion in the stadium. Those few years where there was baseball stuff, I chose to throw that out and remember the other days.”
Team captain Landon Donovan, who is always subject to a lively if less than welcoming reception from D.C. United fans when he comes with the L.A. Galaxy, paid tribute to the “savvy, knowledgeable crowd. There is a different vibe. They don’t like me much, but it’s all fun. They are clever and creative. Coming with the U.S. team is obviously a better experience.”
Midfielder Sacha Kljestan remembers coming to RFK for his first ever away game in MLS with Chivas USA. “We were getting crushed and I remember looking up into the crowd and everyone in the supporters’ sections was bouncing. It looked like the stands were just going to collapse. It was crazy, but it’s a fun place to play. The fan support is always great here and hopefully those D.C. fans are U.S. fans as well.”
Unfortunately, as Goff notes, even though the U.S. team has attracted an average gate of 31,000 at RFK in the past, such a crowd is unlikely Saturday “because of a weak opponent and high ticket prices (between $28 and $95).”