Murphy said, “New York is the international capital of the world. With no respect for Dallas, we’re taking over New York.”
The other contenders are not standing still. “We are now pleading with the committee that we would be the perfect venue for the semifinals and finals,” said Dan Hunt, president of Dallas’ bid, told the local NBC affiliate late last year. “We have two great airports, we have the infrastructure, we have the hotels, we have AT&T Stadium. We have what it takes to host what I call ‘the Super Bowl on steroids’.”
Los Angeles bid chief Kathryn Schloessman said, “Our region is fortunate to have a world-class stadium and infrastructure to qualify to host the Finals and other high-profile games.”
The decision will ultimately be made by top FIFA officials, up to and including President Gianni Infantino, with input from regional governing body Concacaf and US Soccer. The expectation is early autumn.
Whether or not the New York region wins the finals, there will likely be about eight games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. become a great success,” said Murphy. ‘We will sell them all; it doesn’t matter who’s playing.”
“But it’s clear that making the final – and we think we’re in the best position to make it to the final – is the icing on the cake that is almost unparalleled in the sport,” he added. “There is both prestige and an extra boost to the regional economy.”
If a “massive success” is coming anyway, why is there such a hunger to make it to the finals? Adams acknowledged another motivation: “I am extremely competitive and I want to beat other cities to make it to the finals. We have been chosen, now it is time for us to take the cup home.”
