What if the USA hosted the 86 World Cup?

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Based on this article:

http://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/world-cup/could-qatar-lose-world-cup-colombia-did-30343637.html

Colombia was to host the 86 World Cup, but Fifa pulled it do to various concerns, mainly security (according to the article). The US was a contender for the games. What of they were held in the US in 86? Would it have jumped started soccer 8 years earlier in the US? Would the US now be a more serious contender and considered a team more likely to break out of the group stage? Would the MLS have started earlier?
 
Possible stadiums for an '86 Cup in the US

Sullivan Stadium (Foxboro, MA)

Soldier Field (Chicago, IL)

Mile High Stadium (Denver, CO)

Giants Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Los Angeles, CA)

Texas Stadium (Irving, TX)

Rose Bowl (Pasadena, CA)

Sun Devil Stadium (Tempe, AZ)

Superdome (New Orleans, LA)

Orange Bowl (Miami, FL)

Tampa Stadium (Tampa, FL)

Gator Bowl (Jacksonville, FL)

Citrus Bowl (Orlando, FL)
 
How much did hosting the 1994 World Cup help soccer in the US.

I think it kick started acceptance of soccer as professional sport in the country. Two years late the MLS was formed. Granted i think the internet also contributed to its popularity, at least for those under 35.
 
86 would not have had the same impact. The US wouldn't have made it out of group play in 86, qualifying in 90 helped tremendously.
 
How much did hosting the 1994 World Cup help soccer in the US.

If it wasn't for it, there would be no MLS.

In order of the US to be elected as a replacement in 1986, NASL should have survived (it was in its death throes in 1982), and it should have complied with international regulations rather than make up bizarre gimmicks such as the 35 yard line: that was the main factor behind FIFA's decision to award the Cup to Mexico.
 
If USA 86 would have been made, there is no doubt that Maradona's consagration and status cold've been even higher than the one he achieved in 1986. The americans like heroes (who doesn't anyway?), and his figure and status would have been useful to the impact of "soccer"...first Pele then Maradona's consagration in US soil
 

hammo1j

Donor
Hmmm are you sure?

The standard of refereeing may have been better than OTL, but the camerawork would almost certainly be better.

"Maradona the Cheat" would perhaps be deeper embedded in the world psyche, but of course I agree he was one of the greatest footballers ever.
 
Hmmm are you sure?

The standard of refereeing may have been better than OTL, but the camerawork would almost certainly be better.

"Maradona the Cheat" would perhaps be deeper embedded in the world psyche, but of course I agree he was one of the greatest footballers ever.

Been a while since I watched either the '70 or the '86 footage, but from memory the picture quality is eerily similar despite the 16-year gap.
 
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