Choosing a venue for a critical World Cup soccer qualifier is not an exact science, but math is definitely involved. U.S. Soccer wants to maximize revenue while minimizing travel distances for its own players and limiting the number of hostile fans. In the case of Saturday's game between the U.S. and Costa Rica, it turned out that Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., fit the bill for the Americans – if not quite the seating capacity. “There was not really super magic to choosing it,” said Sunil Gulati, president of U.S. Soccer. Selected customers were from a loyal supporters' group, American Outlaws, and season-ticket holders for the Red Bulls of Major League Soccer.

Source: Forbes August 28, 2017 14:50 UTC