SOUTH FLORIDA – The opening round of the CONCACAF League of Nations will take place September 6th – 11.
34 of the CONCACAF’s 41 teams will contest play during the opening round, the six teams who qualified to the hexagonal round (round before World Cup Finals) have received a bye, and will commence their tournament play at a later date.
With the exclusion of the U.S. national team from opening round play, none of the games were initially to be played in the United States.
The Virgin Islands Football team will play host to Canada in their opening round match on Sunday, September 9. However, the match will not be played in either St. Croix or St. Thomas. Instead, it has been moved to the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
Imaginable, it is the continued challenges that last year’s hurricane have posed to the infrastructure that has prompted the change of venue. This change of venue will undoubtedly allow many in the Virgin Island Diaspora (particularly in Florida) the opportunity to attend the match. Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Orlando all boast sizable Virgin Islander communities complete with restaurants, and other social/civic organizations.
Another by-product of the change of venue, is that it will allow both college and professional scouts in the vicinity an easier glimpse to assess the talent on both sides.
Those in South Florida wishing to attend the matches in Bradenton have the option of purchasing tickets aboard a bus-ride. The bus will depart from Bruno’s Bakery in the County Square Shopping Center (21315 NW 2nd Ave, Miami Gardens, FL 33169) promptly at 9:45 a.m. Riders will be permitted a backpack/small cooler on a space available basis. The bus will arrive at the stadium several hours ahead of the match, enabling patrons the opportunity to tailgate. The price of the busride ($40), includes lunch, but does NOT INCLUDE the cost of the match ticket. A non-refundable deposit of 20 will be required.
For further information can contact Ralston at 646-355-7756 (feel free to text).
