World Cup teams confront South Africa altitude
Johannesburg, which has two World Cup venues, sits at 5,900 feet, more than 600 greater than Denver's altitude. Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Polowane and Rustenburg are all above 4,000 feet. The United States will play all of its first-round matches at altitude. To adjust, the Americans will arrive in Johannesburg on a flight from Washington on May 31 -- 12 days ahead of its opener against England in Rustenburg -- and play a friendly against Australia on June 5 in a suburb of Johannesburg.
Read more about the altitude issues in this Associated Press story.
Meantime, Japan's players will prepare by utilizing oxygen tanks and England has turned to altitude tents.
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By
Steve Goff
|
April 14, 2010; 1:25 PM ET
Categories:
2010 World Cup
,
England
,
South Africa
,
U.S. men's national team
| Tags: England, FIFA World Cup, Johannesburg, Rustenburg North West, Soccer, World Cup
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Posted by: VirginiaBlueBlood | April 14, 2010 1:50 PM | Report abuse
I liked the altitude tents. Does the USA match 'em, or do we just train at altitude, instead?
Posted by: fischy | April 14, 2010 2:03 PM | Report abuse
As much as the US ends up playing at the Azteca, most of our players are familiar with playing at altitude.
Posted by: schmuckatelli | April 14, 2010 2:07 PM | Report abuse
I hope no one smokes.
Posted by: Reignking | April 14, 2010 2:08 PM | Report abuse
Flight info for the USMNT out of Washington if we wanted to see them off? Dulles or Reagan? I saw a video of it in 2006 and it was downright embarassing.
Posted by: soccerdude | April 14, 2010 2:11 PM | Report abuse
As much as the US ends up playing at the Azteca, most of our players are familiar with playing at altitude.
Posted by: schmuckatelli
I would feel more confident about our abilities to adjust to altitude if we had ever done anything worth mentioning in Azteca. Hopefully it is enough, though.
Posted by: elopingcamel | April 14, 2010 2:15 PM | Report abuse
As much as the US ends up playing at the Azteca, most of our players are familiar with playing at altitude.
Posted by: schmuckatelli
Once every 4 years?
Posted by: Reignking | April 14, 2010 2:20 PM | Report abuse
I reside in Colorado Springs (elevation: 6035 feet / 1839 meters), home of the United States Olympic Training Center!
Would make a lot of sense for the team to train out here!
Posted by: iyutepo | April 14, 2010 2:55 PM | Report abuse
For comparison, Mexico city is 7300 ft.
Posted by: tailwagger | April 14, 2010 3:03 PM | Report abuse
How's John Terry going to be able to get his "friends" into the tent bed?
Posted by: delantero | April 14, 2010 3:25 PM | Report abuse
I thought FIFA was anti-altitude.
Posted by: Reignking | April 14, 2010 3:55 PM | Report abuse
Where did the US play during the Confederations Cup?
Posted by: Brian76 | April 14, 2010 11:50 PM | Report abuse
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The North Koreans will be kept in a cage until the glorious leader releases them for each match.