Baltimore To Host Soccer's Gold Cup
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Another sports honor for Baltimore. This time, the city was selected to host an international soccer match.
Gigi Barnett has more on what the honor means for the city's soccer fans.
Baltimore's football team is Super Bowl bound and its baseball team is still celebrating a magical season.
"It was amazing. O-mazing. Best season. It was magical," said Orioles fan Laura Wagner.
But this summer, the sports spotlight will shine bright on Charm City again as Baltimore was named one of 13 cities to host the 2013 Soccer Gold Cup.
"If you're a soccer fan, it's going to be a really exciting event downtown this summer," said Downtown Partnership spokesman Mike Evitts.
And Baltimore has plenty of soccer fans. The city has already hosted English Premiere League's soccer matches back in 2009.
Evitts is the spokesman for the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, a nonprofit that promotes businesses in the city. He says Baltimore showed its ability to host a world-class soccer match when Chelsea played AC Milan back in 2009. The Gold Cup, which features teams from Central and South America and the Caribbean, took note.
"It's a walkable downtown. We've got a lot of amenities. We're close to international travel and we're well connected in the region in terms of travel," Evitts said.
Plus, he says the Gold Cup looks for destinations fans will enjoy.
The Gold Cup is played every two years and Baltimore is one of six new venues added to host the games.
The Gold Cup is played from July 7 to 28.
