So far US Soccer has only revealed the first of its five host venues for the US national team's home games in the Hexagonal round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.
But according to one of Salt Lake City's leading soccer journalists, Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, has locked up a role as the home for the USA's match against Honduras on June 18.
The home of Real Salt Lake, Rio Tinto successfully hosted a US match in the last Hex, a 2-1 victory over El Salvador on Sept. 5, 2009. It also welcomed the US women's national team with a packed crowd for their final tune-up match before their gold-medal run in the 2012 London Olympics last summer, a 2-1 win over Canada.
Known for its intimate atmosphere and breathtaking Rocky Mountain backdrop, “the RioT” was reportedly a finalist in the running to host this month's clash with Costa Rica, only to lose out to Dick's Sporting Goods Park, home stadium of RSL's rivals the Colorado Rapids.
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While it doesn't quite boast DSGP's mile-high elevation, Rio Tinto nonetheless sits some 4,300 feet above sea level, a fact that can only work in the Yanks' favor as they look to take revenge for Honduras' 2-1 victory in San Pedro Sula in the opening match of the Hexagonal round last month.
Riley also reports that Sandy, already named as a host venue for this summer's Gold Cup, will host the USMNT during that tournament as well.
Real Salt Lake officials declined to comment on Riley's report regarding the qualifier, but expressed enthusiasm about the Gold Cup matches. At the time of publication, US Soccer did not respond to a request for comment.
