Signs point to Seattle hosting a June World Cup qualifier

There has been speculation for a while that Seattle could land one of the five U.S. home games in the upcoming round of World Cup qualifying games. Only one location has been announced so far (March 22 in Colorado), and the success of Sounders FC has certainly shown how passionate this part of the country can be about soccer. But there has been one issue keeping the National Team from playing big games here, namely the artificial playing surface. Sounders FC has shown a willingness to put in a temporary grass surface to host friendlies against top European squads, but doing that for a World Cup qualifier was potentially tricky because of other events scheduled at CenturyLink Field this summer (for a temporary grass surface to be at its best, it needs some time after being installed to take root, ideally a couple of weeks).

Well according to the reporters who are in Honduras for today's World Cup qualifier, U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati hinted pretty strongly that Seattle will get a game, most likely the June 18 match against Honduras.

Based on Gulati's comment, seems Seattle will indeed host a qualifier in 2013, most likely vs. Honduras June 18. #usmnt

— Doug McIntyre (@DougMacESPN) February 6, 2013

Based on Gulati press event, seems likely that soccer-mad Seattle will finally host a US World Cup qualifier this year.

— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) February 6, 2013

Sounds like Seattle fans just might get their wish of having a World Cup qualifier at CenturyLink Field. June 18 vs. Honduras a good bet.

— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) February 6, 2013

Gulati coy about Seattle as a WCQ venue. Sly smile. Seems as if it will happen. We'll know soon

— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) February 6, 2013