Recently in World Cup Category

About time, in my book, but then I'm an embittered Englishman (you'll recall the robbery that happened to the nation at the last World Cup):

BERLIN (MCT) -- World soccer chief Sepp Blatter expects goal-line technology to be introduced next season, and it also should be featured at the next World Cup in 2014, along with professional referees.

Speaking in various newspaper interviews published on Tuesday, Blatter said that FIFA is finally ready to make use of goal-line technology, pending approval next year.

"You must allow at least one of those aids, and that is goal-line technology. There are systems that combine accuracy, speed and are straightforward. We are ready to use this technique," Blatter told Germany's Bild.

Blatter, 75, reiterated that the International Football Association Board is to reach a decision on the technology in March and that it can be used from the 2012-13 season onward if approved.

FIFA long opposed modern technology gaining entry into the game, but enhanced technology and high-profile incidents -- such as Frank Lampard's shot at the 2010 World Cup against Germany, which went over the line off the bar but went unseen by the referee -- have led to a new approach.

"FIFA cannot accept again what happened in South Africa: a ball that was 70 centimeters in goal was called out," Blatter told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

If approved and successful, the technology will also be used at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, for which Blatter also announced professional referees.

First: U.S. midfielder Stuart Holden has been ruled out for up to six weeks after fracturing his left leg Wednesday in the game against the Netherlands in Amsterdam. Details here.

Also this morning:

Chivas striker Javier Hernandez celebrates after scoring for Mexico against New Zealand Wednesday at the Rose Bowl (AP Photo).

*Mexico beat New Zealand 2-0 Wednesday at the Rose Bowl before a rabid crowd of more than 90,000.

"It was a rambunctious crowd," Pasadena Police Lt. George Wiley said. "Ten minutes before the end it started raining. That settled things down a little."

About a dozen people were taken into custody on misdemeanor alcohol-related offenses.

Game story here.

*Guatemala beat El Salvador 2-1 Wednesday at the Coliseum. New Chivas USA midfielder Osael Romero came on as a 61st minute sub for El Salvador.

*David Beckham was an unused substitute in England's 3-1 win over Egypt.

*Alta Loma striker Jennifer Gonzalez, who plays for local youth team Arsenal FC, was selected Thursday for the 20-player squad that will seek to qualify for the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup at the upcoming CONCACAF U-17 Women's Championship March 10-20 in Costa Rica.

Updated:
Galaxy striker Alecko Eskandarian, struggling with a concussion injury he suffered last season, posted this on Facebook this morning:

Just wanted to let all my friends and fans know I will have an update soon on my injury status for the upcoming 2010 season. Stay tuned.

Here's what's on tap on a busy day full of significant international fixtures:

*The U.S. Women's National Team beat Germany 3-2 today to lift the Algarve Cup in Portugal on a lucky 70th minute goal by UCLA's Lauren Cheney. Not an insignificant victory against the nation that hosts next year's World Cup. More here.

*The newly-anointed 18th best team in the world, the U.S., at least according to the widely-disparaged FIFA rankings (the latest edition was released today) plays the Netherlands at 11:30 a.m. on ESPN2 and Galavision. More here. And here's the U.S. starting XI.

*Mexico plays New Zealand at the Rose Bowl (8 p.m. on KVEA). One correction to the article: New Zealand's Ryan Nelsen is out injured and will not play. Also, Mexico will likely play England at Wembley May 23, although the date still has to be confirmed.

*El Salvador plays Guatemala at 8 p.m. at the Coliseum where Chivas USA's new signing Osael Romero will be on view.

*In other games, Germany faces Argentina at 11:45 a.m. on GOLTV, while the same channel has Italy-Cameroon at 1:45 p.m.

*U.S. Soccer has confirmed the East Coast location of the previously scheduled game against the Czech Republic:

AMSTERDAM (AP) -- The United States will start its World Cup send-off tour by playing the Czech Republic at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn., on May 25.

The site of the match was announced Wednesday by U.S. Soccer Federation. The U.S. has played at Rentschler Field twice previously, defeating Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier in August 2005 and beating Latvia 1-0 in its final warmup before the 2006 World Cup.

The Americans play Turkey at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field on May 29 before leaving for South Africa. They also might play fellow World Cup qualifier Australia in an exhibition on June 5 in Johannesburg.

Making its sixth straight World Cup appearance, the U.S. opens June 12 against England, plays Slovenia six days later and completes the first round against Algeria on June 23.

In addition to playing the U.S., the Czechs meet Turkey on May 22 in the first match between national teams at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.

At the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the Czechs outplayed the Americans in the tournament opener for both teams, winning 3-0. In 1990, Czechoslovakia routed the U.S. 5-1 in the Americans' return to the World Cup following a 40-year absence.

The Czech Republic failed to advance to the 32-nation field for this year's World Cup in South Africa, finishing behind Slovakia and Slovenia in its European qualifying group.

*Lastly, MLS Commish Don Garber says bring on the Brits:

MANCHESTER, England (AP) -- Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber wants English Premier League clubs to invest in teams or start new franchises in the United States.

As part of wider discussions with English clubs about co-operation, Garber said Wednesday that money can be made in the expanding MLS.

Some English clubs already travel to the U.S. in the offseason to build their profile by playing exhibitions. Garber said helping to grow the sport in North America is the next logical step for them.

The game, the last before Coach Bob Bradley selects his 23-player World Cup roster, will air at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday on ESPN2 and Galavision.

Notable:

*The U.S. will wear its World Cup strip for the first time, seen here being modeled by Clint Dempsey, who will not play Wednesday because of a knee injury. Made from recycled plastic bottles, the jersey is a throwback to the design the U.S. wore for the 1950 World Cup, when they beat England 1-0 in a game widely considered one of the biggest sporting upsets of all time. And, of course, the U.S. plays England in its World Cup opener.

*The game will also be the first for former Chicago Fire defender Lubos Kubik as an assistant U.S. coach. The former Polish intrnational was named to the post Tuesday Coach Bob Bradley was Kubik's coach at the Fire.

Here's more:

AMSTERDAM (AP) -- American players hoping to make an impression on U.S. coach Bob Bradley before he picks his World Cup roster have one last chance Wednesday night.

In its final match before the World Cup team gathers in mid-May, the United States plays an exhibition at the Netherlands, the world's third-ranked team.

"My last memory playing Netherlands in Amsterdam Arena was not the best," midfielder Landon Donovan said. "I think we chased the ball for probably 90 minutes, so it's hopefully a little different this time. Hopefully, we have a little more of the game. It's really our last chance against a top, top, team before the World Cup and so we want to make the most of it."

The Netherlands is 3-0 against the No. 14 U.S., winning 2-0 in Miami in 1998, 2-0 at
Foxborough, Mass., in 2002 and 1-0 in Amsterdam in 2004.

Donovan, enjoying a successful loan stint with Everton, is assured of a spot on the final 23. Others, such as Glasgow Rangers midfielders DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu, might need good matches to earn their trips to South Africa.

"You feel that the World Cup is coming. It's real," U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra said.
"Amsterdam Arena is cool venue to play in. So, it should be a good atmosphere, you know, another good test before we go down to South Africa."

Sixteen of the 20 players on the U.S. roster are based in Europe, with just three players from Major League Soccer and one from Mexico.

"It's a good opportunity to play against a real good team, size ourselves up one more time and know that in a few months when we come together again it's with everything right in front of us," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said.

The U.S. is missing AC Milan defender Oguchi Onyewu (Oct. 21 surgery to repair ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee); Hannover defender Steve Cherundolo (injured a shoulder in practice Jan. 31); Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey (injured right knee on Jan. 17); Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Ricardo Clark (pulled right calf muscle); Aarhus midfielder Benny Feilhaber (damaged ankle cartilage); and Sochaux forward Charlie Davies (recovering from injuries sustained in Oct. 13 car crash).

Jozy Altidore figures to start at forward, with Michael Bradley -- the coach's son -- joined in the central midfield by Edu. Stuart Holden or Beasley could get a start in midfield along with Donovan.

"It's a good way to gauge where we're at, a good way for Bob to gauge where the team is at and also in the bigger scheme to make some assessments on how guys are going to be and help make choices for the World Cup," Donovan said.

The Dutch and Spain were the only teams in European qualifying with perfect records -- the Netherlands was 8-0 and outscored opponents 17-2 in coasting to first place in Group Nine.

Even with Arsenal's Robin van Persie still sidelined after tearing ankle ligaments in November, Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk could start AC Milan's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben and Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt up front in a stiff test for the U.S. defensive line and goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Getting ready for its World Cup opener against England on June 12, the U.S. is looking to boost its confidence.

"I think a good performance will go a long way," Howard said.

Manchester City's Nigel de Jong is set to partner with Bayern Munich's Mark van Bommel, the coach's son-in-law, in midfield along with Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder. Wingers Eljero Elia of Hamburg or Ryan Babel of Liverpool also are potential starters.

"What you see is a top team with great players," Bob Bradley said. "So you're challenged by the technical ability that they have. You're challenged by the speed that the game will get played, the way they press, the way they move the ball, the way they run off the ball. So it just gives you a chance to play in a game where the bar is real high in terms of just reactions and executing plays. It's good for us."

After this, the Americans gather in mid-May and play exhibitions against the Czech Republic (May 25, possibly in East Hartford, Conn.) and Turkey (May 29 at Philadelphia), with a June 5 exhibition against Australia in Johannesburg also possible.

After playing England, the U.S. meets Slovenia on June 18 before finishing the first round five days later against Algeria.

"Obviously we're still missing a few guys through injury, but I think this is a big test for
us," Donovan said. "And we're going to take advantage of it."

NOTES: Schalke MF Jermaine Jones, sidelined by a shin injury since last summer, joined the U.S. team Monday night. He has not played for the U.S. since opting to switch to the American national team from Germany's last year. ... All three U.S. opponents have matches Wednesday. England hosts Egypt, Slovenia is home against Qatar and Algeria hosts Serbia.

The 20-player roster for the March 3 game:

goalkeepers - Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton)

defenders - Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)

midfielders - DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Landon Donovan (Everton), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), José Torres (Pachuca)

forwards - Jozy Altidore (Hull City), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)

Considering this is a FIFA-designated international game date and the final contest before U.S. Coach Bob Bradley names his 23-player World Cup squad this is a pretty good indication of who is likely to go to South Africa.

And don't forget, the likes of Ricardo Clark, Charlie Davis, Clint Dempsey, Benny Feilhaber and Oguchi Onyewu are all out injured.

Have such players as Robbie Rogers, Sacha Kljestan and Brian Ching seen their chance of making the squad evaporate?

Notable: Johnson only played 75 minutes in two appearances as sub for the USMNT last year and Bedoya, who earned his first U.S. MNT cap against Honduras in January, must have impressed Bradley at the HDC camp. Simek hasn't made a national team appearance since 2007.

Quotable:

"This is the final match before we bring the team together for the World Cup, so to have a match against one of the top teams in the world like the Netherlands is a big benefit and a good challenge for our group," Bradley said. "They are expecting a large crowd to turn out for the game, and we are looking forward to an exciting atmosphere in Amsterdam."

The U.S. is 0-3 against the Netherlands.

FIFA is seeking to avoid desolate scenes like this at Cape Town's Green Point Soccer Stadium during the World Cup (AP Photo).

Can things get any worse for FIFA as fans around the globe stay away from South Africa because of price gouging, rampant crime and crummy transportation?

Yes:

JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- World Cup organizers are more than doubling the number of tickets priced for working-class South Africans, amid indications wealthy foreigners aren't snapping up seats.

Only 11 percent of tickets had been set aside for citizens of the host country at about $20 each, far less than the price of other tickets. That number has increased to 29 percent, said Danny Jordaan, chief executive of the South African organizing committee.

"You have to take into account that (soccer) fans in South Africa are working-class people of low income," Jordaan said.

Labor unions and the media pressed Jordaan to make more low-cost tickets available. Half of South Africans live in poverty, and at least a quarter of the nation's work force is
unemployed.

Other steps taken to make soccer's premier event accessible to those hosting it include
distributing 120,000 free tickets through sponsors like Coca-Cola, and giving more free
tickets to the men and women who built the stadiums.

"We have made this commitment that the tournament will be affordable," Jordaan said.

The CEO added he would not be able to determine until all the tickets had been sold what effect the larger percentage of inexpensive tickets would have on his bottom line.

"We are comfortable we have enough money, more than enough, to deliver," he said.

FIFA acknowledged this month that only half of the VIP tickets for spots in luxury booths had been sold, which organizers blamed on the global recession.

FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke, who joined Jordaan on Thursday following an organizing committee board meeting, said 2.24 million of 2.9 million total tickets had been sold.

Officials said other matters discussed at the board meeting included concerns about the
readiness of some stadiums. Drainage problems were discovered at the stadium in Nelspruit, in eastern South Africa, and a special committee has been formed to monitor the playing surface in all 10 facilities.

Valcke said that while work remained outside the main Johannesburg stadium, where parking lots and access roads are not complete, the field itself is impressive.

"There could be a game tomorrow morning," Valcke said of Soccer City, which will host the opening match and final. "From the inside, this stadium looks beautiful."

South Africa has faced persistent questions about whether a developing country can pull off a World Cup, and officials have just as persistently insisted they would be ready for the June 11 opener.

"The work goes on," Jordaan said, "and the next two weeks are quite critical."

Meanwhile, the England team is in increasing turmoil ahead of its World Cup opener against the U.S. with it now appearing the Brits have as many problems at left back as the Americans:

LONDON (AP) -- A bridge too far?

Wayne Bridge is refusing to play for England in the wake of teammate John Terry's alleged affair with his former partner, saying Thursday that his presence on the World Cup squad could be "divisive."

Wayne's world crashed when former friend John Terry got too friendly with Bridge's now former partner (AP Photo).

Coach Fabio Capello expected Bridge to play for England after stripping Terry of the captaincy when details of his affair with Vanessa Perroncel were published. The announcement by Bridge creates problems with team selection and harmony three months before South Africa.

"It has always been an honor to play for England," Bridge said in a statement released by his lawyers. "However, after careful thought I believe my position in the squad is now untenable and potentially divisive."

After weeks of lurid headlines about his players -- including first-choice left back Ashley Cole -- Capello spoke Tuesday of the need to restore unity in the locker room.

However, Bridge is apparently unable to forge a professional relationship with Terry. The rift could be on display Saturday if the pair don't shake hands in the pre-match formalities at Stamford Bridge when Manchester City plays Chelsea, the club that Bridge left last year.

Terry's presence could also cause friction with England teammates aware that his alleged affair with the mother of Bridge's child forced his one-time friend to miss the World Cup.

Expressing sadness at his decision, Bridge's statement continued: "I feel for the sake of the team and in order to avoid what will be inevitable distractions, I have decided not to put myself forward for selection. ... I have today informed the management of this decision. I wish the team all the very best in South Africa."

England's soccer association has supported Capello to ensure the fallout from the Terry-Bridge saga doesn't affect the squad at the World Cup.

"If you want to have great team spirit then you need someone who can manage that and we have the world's best in Fabio dealing with these difficult decisions," FA chief executive Ian Watmore told Talk Sport radio. "Fabio has to judge what's best for team spirit. We won't win in South Africa if we don't have that. But we should have confidence that we will have it."

An immediate issue for Capello is filling the left back slot for Wednesday's friendly against Egypt, with first-choice Cole recovering from a broken ankle and uncertain whether he will be fit for England's World Cup opener against the United States on June 12.

"It leaves Capello with no tried and tested left backs, and that causes a slight problem,"
said former England defender Danny Mills, who played at the 2002 World Cup. "Ashley Cole, if all being well and his recovery time is as quick as we think it might be, might make it back for the end of the season.

"But it won't take an awful lot of that to be delayed slightly and for him to miss out too, so
that makes this friendly and the next few England games very, very important."

Capello will use Wednesday's match to audition others in the position with the likeliest
candidates being Leighton Baines and Stephen Warnock.

Baines is yet to appear for the England senior side but has impressed for Everton this season, while Warnock's only international experience amounts to six minutes as a substitute against Trinidad and Tobago in June 2008.

Americans can't do any gloating though. MLS was formed, in part, to not only develop the sport in this country, but the U.S. National Team. How will a MLS strike help that cause?

Read more here:

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Brian Ching is worried a possible Major League Soccer strike could hurt the chance of U.S.-based players to make the World Cup roster.

"If we're not playing games week in and week out, that puts us at a big disadvantage," Ching said Wednesday night after helping the U.S. rally past El Salvador 2-1 in an exhibition. "Hopefully, it doesn't happen."

Ching scored on a diving header in the 75th minute and assisted on Sacha Kljestan's go-ahead goal in the second minute of stoppage time.

All but one of the U.S. players was from MLS, which appears to be on the verge of its first strike, and for many it was their last chance to impress coach Bob Bradley before he selects his 23-man U.S. roster. The Americans again badly missed their Europe-based starters, who also weren't used in the 3-1 loss to Honduras on Jan. 23.

Chivas USA's Jonathan Bornstein said the potential shutdown should not be the focus.

"It's something we'll take in stride if it were to happen," Bornstein said. "We're all
professionals here. We all know what it's going to take, should something happen, to stay in shape and do what we have to do. Should it happen, we'll hit it head on when the time comes."

The 14th-ranked U.S. outshot No. 71 El Salvador 18-3 with the "B" team. If there is an MLS strike, Bradley will adjust training plans ahead of the arrival of Europe-based players in mid-May.
"The only thing that I think matters from a national team standpoint is that we'll react
accordingly in terms of schedule, training, that kind of thing," he said.

Ching, Kljestan, Bornstein and Heath Pearce were among only a handful of U.S. players on the night's roster who appear to have a decent chance of being selected for the World Cup roster.

Ching was on the 2006 team but didn't get into a match.

The game starts at 4 p.m. on ESPN Classic.

With the U.S. never having lost to El Salvador on American soil (although the U.S. had to come from behind to win its two World Cup qualifiers over El Salvador) the suspense surrounding this game has less to do with the result than who will go to South Africa for those players on the bubble of making the roster including an improbable, but possible appearance by veteran Jeff Cunningham.

Just before the USMNT broke camp in Carson last weekend I asked Coach Bob Bradley about the significance of this game given that so few players involved are likely to be a part of the 23-player U.S. World Cup roster:

"The last time around we all know it wasn't what it needed to be; hopefully this will be a better performance," he said, referring to the disappointing 3-1 loss last month at Home Depot Center against Honduras. "Anybody who comes into a camp in a World Cup year understands the importance of doing well."

"It's a follow-up on everything that took place in January," he added. "It's another chance for guys to play, show where they are in this whole thing and it has helped so as we make decisions the following Wednesday we've got a good up close look at a core of players with the idea that some of them are going to be part of that squad. The timing of the second game this time was in conjunction with the game against Holland (March 3) so now we can balance off our roster, understand where we were with players in Europe and then look at players here and really have a good handle on exactly where they are as we make decisions."

I hadn't had the opportunity to speak with Bradley since the U.S. scheduled its last two World Cup warm-up games against the Czech Republic May 25 and Turkey May 29, so I asked him what the significance was in playing those two opponents in particular:

"The fact we are beginning our camp in the U.S. and felt if we could get a game or two in the U.S. (that) was important. Now you have to see what possibilities exists (in terms) of teams that will come to the U.S. But I do think that in both cases there are similarities with opponents, there are players on those teams I think are similar to different guys on teams that we'll play against (in the World Cup group stage), so I think not only are they good teams but it will help us prepare well."

Notable:

*Five players in the squad were part of the 18 who dressed when the USA last met El Salvador in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. Defenders Jonathan Bornstein and Chad Marshall played 90 minutes in the 2-1 win Sept. 5, midfielder Kyle Beckerman making a late appearance as a sub in front of his hometown crowd at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy while Brian Ching and Robbie Rogers didn't make it off the bench.

*Ten players on the roster boast fewer than 10 caps, while at the other end of the spectrum striker Brian Ching has the most with 43.

*The American roster was given in the first link above, but here's the roster for El Salvador. Chivas USA fans will have an added reason to watch this game closely - midfielder Osael Romero will join the club after the game and be presented at a press conference next Monday in Carson:

goalkeepers - Miguel Montes (Aguila), Dagoberto Portillo (F.A.S.)

defenders - Dennis Alas (Firpo), Alexander Escobar (Metapan), Marvin Gonzalez (F.A.S.), Mardo Henriquez (F.A.S.), Alfredo Pacheco (F.A.S.), Manuel Salazar (Firpo), Deris Umanzor (Aguila)

midfielders - Edgar Alvarez (San Jacinto College), Ramon Flores (F.A.S.), Josue Odir Flores (Metapan), Shawn Martin (Aguila), Juan Carlos Moscoso (F.A.S.), Osael Romero (Chivas USA), Ramon Sanchez (San Jose Earthquakes)

forwards Arturo Alvarez (San Jose Earthquakes), Rudis Corrales (Aguila), Andres Flores (Metapan)

Interim El Salvador Coach José Luis Rugamas will coach his first game in charge of the team; predecessor Carlos de los Cobos joined the Chicago Fire this season.

*Finally, here are the line-ups the last time these two nations met:
USA: 1-Tim Howard; 2-Jonathan Spector, 15-Chad Marshall, 3-Carlos Bocanegra (capt.), 12-Jonathan Bornstein; 8-Clint Dempsey , 5-Benny Feilhaber (16-Kyle Beckerman, 80), 4-Michael Bradley, 10-Landon Donovan; 9-Charlie Davies (7-Stuart Holden, 73), 17-Jozy Altidore (14-Jose Francisco Torres, 85)
Subs not used: 6-Steve Cherundolo, 11-Brian Ching, 13-Robbie Rogers, 18-Brad Guzan

El SALVADOR: 1-Miguel Montes; 3-Marvin González, 4-Mardoqueo Gonzalez, 12-Manuel Salazar, 13-Deris Umanzor; 5-Ramón Flores (14-William Reyes, 63), 6-Arturo Álvarez (8-Osael Romero, 50), 7-Ramón Sánchez (capt.), 10-Eliseo Quintanilla (9-Rudis Corrales, 75), 17-Christian Castillo; 11-Rodolfo Zelaya
Subs not used: 2-Alexander Escobar, 15-Alfredo Pacheco, 16-Denis Alas, 18-Dagoberto Portillo

It serves FIFA right, frankly.

Try to force people to pay for expensive packages through tour operators in a crap economy in a country where crime is rampant and this is what happens:

ZURICH (AP) -- Only half of the VIP tickets for the World Cup have been sold four months before soccer's biggest event kicks off in South Africa.

FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke said only 2.1 million tickets have been sold for the tournament, which has a capacity of 2.9 million.

The biggest problem has been with "hospitality" programs, where ticketing agencies make the bulk of their profits by selling spots in luxury booths at significantly higher prices.

Valcke blamed the disappointing performance in the VIP sector on the economic crisis.

Price gouging and security fears over South Africa are also causing many fans to forgo the World Cup.

Last year "was the worst period to sell hospitality programs," Valcke told reporters at FIFA's headquarters in Zurich. "I'm sure that it impacted at least by 50 percent the potential."

Valcke also said South Africa would not get 450,000 visitors as it had predicted. He said the number could be as low as 350,000, but he didn't have a precise estimate.

FIFA claims is has worked hard to make the World Cup more accessible.

Valcke said world soccer's governing body negotiated lower plane tickets with some airlines, bringing the price of a round-trip flight from New York to Johannesburg down to $2,000 during the World Cup from a normal charge of $3,000.

To prevent empty seats stadiums, seats once designated for traveling Europeans, Americans and other soccer supporters are being switched to a lower-price category for South Africans. This will hurt profits but will also help realize FIFA's goal of ensuring that at least a fifth of spectators at the tournament will be locals.

The lower ticket sales don't hurt FIFA because the organization reached a deal with marketing firm Match Services AG seven years ago for this World Cup and the next one in Brazil in 2014, Valcke said. South Africa's organizing committee has broken even.

Still, Valcke acknowledged that things would need to be changed at future World Cups.

One suggestion he said would surely be studied was selling tickets directly to fans, instead of through ticketing agencies. FIFA would then require ticketing booths around the world, Valcke said, which he said would be part of a new "flexible" approach to selling seats.

Valcke promised that the World Cup would be safe at all venues, and although he noted South Africa's crime problems, he said they couldn't compare in any way to the breakaway region of Angola where Togo's team was attacked last month at the African Cup of Nations.

To better ensure the safety of teams, fans and media, FIFA was organizing a meeting next month that brings together the police chiefs and heads of security from all 32 teams playing in South Africa.

Valcke also stressed that the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, slated to host the final, would be completed by March 15.

"It's not fun not to have your main stadium now," Valcke said.

Still want to go? Try this.

Just a couple of weeks before the World Cup. Location TBA.

The game will be played four days after the U.S. meets Turkey in Philadelphia: PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The U.S. will play the Czech Republic in a World Cup warmup match May 25 before meeting Turkey four days later at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field.

The site of the U.S.-Czech match was not announced Wednesday, but the U.S. Soccer Federation has discussed East Hartford, Conn., as a possible location for the opener of its World Cup send-off tour.

"We are very pleased to get two quality opponents in the Czech Republic and Turkey," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. "These games will provide a great opportunity to fine-tune our plans for the matches in South Africa and test ourselves against some of the better teams in Europe."

At the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the Czechs outplayed the Americans in the tournament opener for both teams, winning 3-0. In 1990, Czechoslovakia routed the U.S. 5-1 in the Americans' return to the World Cup following a 40-year absence.

The Czech Republic failed to advance to the 32-nation field for this year's World Cup in South Africa, finishing behind Slovakia and Slovenia in its European qualifying group.

Turkey, a 2002 World Cup semifinalist, also failed to qualify, finishing behind Spain and
Bosnia-Herzegovina. The U.S. has played the Turks twice before, a 1-1 tie at Istanbul in 2001 and a 2-1 U.S. loss at the 2003 Confederations Cup in Saint-Etienne, France.

Preparing for its sixth straight World Cup appearance, the U.S. hosts El Salvador on Feb. 24 at Tampa, Fla., then plays March 3 at the Netherlands.

At the World Cup in South Africa, the U.S. opens June 12 against England, plays Slovenia six days later and completes the first round against Algeria on June 23.

It's getting to be now or never for domestic-based players on the bubble for the U.S. World Cup roster.

Bonus quote -
Here's Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan on Stuart Holden, who he observed is probably his main rival for a World Cup roster spot. The two have never played for the U.S. in the same XI, he said:

"When I was out of the team he was just coming into the team. There's definitely a correlation between the two of us - we play a similar position, we play a similar style. Hopefully we both go, but we'll see. He's a good friend of mine, but it's going to be tough. Maybe one of us will go, maybe neither of us will go."