Thousands Expected For Brazil v. Honduras Game On Saturday
DAVIE (CBSMiami) – Tens of thousands of soccer fans are expected at Sun Life Stadium Saturday evening for the much-anticipated matchup between the Brazilian national soccer team and Honduras.
Brazil's soccer team practiced through the rain Friday preparing for their big game tomorrow versus Honduras.
Outside the stadium soccer fans are arriving from all over, excited to see some of the best players on the planet take the field.
"I traveled here all the way from Kansas just to get a chance to see Brazil," said Brazil fan Regis Bezera.
As of this morning roughly 10,000 seats remained at Dolphins stadium. The box office is expecting to sell out by game time.
The soccer matchup is a nice change for the Stadium. The Miami Dolphins started the season strong but has suffered a mid-season crisis of sorts and attendance has been dwindling with each game.
For Sunday's Dolphins game a ticket will run you 18 dollars right now. By comparison to see Brazil and Honduras Saturday, nosebleed seats are starting at $45 dollars.
Brazil, a five world cup winner, brings a lot of buzz to South Florida. Soccer fans are suggesting that if professional soccer returned, fans would embrace it.
Soccer star David Beckham has been spotted around town scouting out sites to start up a Major League Soccer franchise. On the short list is FIU, Marlins Ball Park, and Dolphin's stadium.
The Dip sisters said they don't really care where the games are as long as Beckham is there.
CBS4's David Sutta asked, "Would you go to games?"
"Yes. To see him," said Honduras Fan Maria Dip.
"But he's not playing," said Sutta.
"But he's going to be there," said Dip.
The game will be the first for Brazil in Miami since playing at the Orange Bowl in front of 51,000 fans during a quarterfinals match for the Gold Cup a few years ago. The last time Brazil played Honduras was in 2001 when the Honduran team knocked Brazil out of Copa America.
Brazil has already won the 2013 Confederations Cup with a 3-0 victory over Spain earlier this year. Brazil is also gearing up for another run at a possible FIFA World Cup championship in 2014. Honduras has also qualified for the 2014 World Cup.
It's also possible the Brazil vs. Honduras game at Sun Life Stadium could outdraw the Miami Dolphins vs. San Diego Chargers game on Sunday. However, it might be a different situation if the Dolphins were playing well instead of in the midst of decade of mediocrity.
As for the game itself, parking lots for the game will open at 3 p.m. and stadium gates will open at 5:30 p.m.
Sun Life Stadium officials said the NFL bag policy will be in effect for the game, which means no large bags and only one clear bag that is not larger than 12"x6"x12" will be allowed.
