U.S. Men's National Team Trains at Irvine's Championship Soccer Stadium After Temporary Eviction of Local Club

U.S. men's national soccer team began training at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine on Monday, four days before its World Cup opener against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The City of Irvine selected 5,500 spectators through a public raffle after 32,000 people applied to attend the team's only open workout.

Fans filled the 5,500-seat venue on a warm morning and greeted the players with rhythmic clapping and chants of "USA! " as they emerged from a locker room that FIFA had expanded and upgraded. The squad completed a light 45-minute session on the field FIFA installed inside the stadium.

Center back Chris Richards participated fully for the first time since tearing two ligaments in his left ankle on May 17 while playing for Crystal Palace. "The environment and facilities are crazy. It's more than we expect.

U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said. "I think we've all been, I wouldn't say overwhelmed, but possibly surprised by the excitement and the buzz," captain Tim Ream said. "Pulling up here with 5,500 fans ready to watch a training session is incredible.

We get to train in an actual stadium with a good pitch. The support, really, from all the kids out there is amazing. You want to feel like you have a good home base, right? " The Orange County Soccer Club, which leases the stadium from the City of Irvine, was temporarily evicted in late April to accommodate the national team.

Club president of business operations Dan Rutstein said the arrangement was welcome. "How can you not be excited about the host nation training in your facility? S.

National team. " The 500-acre Orange County Great Park sits on the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, which closed in 1999 after 56 years of operation. Voters approved converting the site into a public park and nature preserve in 2001.

The complex now contains five sand volleyball courts, four basketball courts, 25 tennis courts, 12 softball and baseball fields, an ice arena used by the Ducks, and 25 soccer fields. Irvine mayor Larry Agran said the city began exploring the possibility of hosting a World Cup training base five years ago. The Great Park appeared on a list of options sent to tournament qualifiers in 2024.

U.S. team operations manager Sam Zapatka inspected 27 facilities from Seattle to San Diego before selecting Irvine. The team announced the choice in March.

U.S. will face Paraguay on Friday to open its group-stage campaign.