18 Bid Cities Announced (Sorry Portland)

I received this email from David Downs, the Executive Director of the USA World Cup Bid Committee:

The USA Bid Committee just released the final list of cities to be included in our official Bid Book to FIFA. These cities could be the site of a future World Cup match!

Click here to see the full list of cities that will be part of our bid:

http://gousabid.com/BidCities

It was very difficult to narrow the list of cities to 18, the maximum allowed by FIFA. All 27 locations under consideration demonstrated an incredible understanding and passion for the Game, and would have made excellent additions to our bid.

The 18 cities that were selected far exceed FIFA's criteria and were able to deliver signed FIFA agreements. They represent all four time zones and every corner of the country, making this a truly national bid.

Check out the full list of cities -- and share it with every soccer fan you know:

http://gousabid.com/BidCities

With the selection of these 18 cities, we are another step closer to completing our bid and bringing the FIFA World Cup™ back to the United States. I'm so glad you're such a big part of this effort.

Thanks again for your continued support.

-- David

David Downs
Executive Director
USA Bid Committee

Does anybody else find it funny that the self proclaimed Soccer City USA isn't on the list? And how about President Obama's Chicago getting shut out by the Olympics and now our own country?