More big-name soccer on the horizon?

We know the Chelsea-Milan “friendly” scheduled for July 24th at M&T Bank Stadium is close to being sold out -- more than a month before kickoff. The enthusiastic response to this international match raises prospects for an even greater mega match on the horizon. Headline in today's Sun:

"In Baltimore, a question: 'Why not a World Cup?'"

Ken Murray reports that M&T Bank Stadium made the first cut for potential host cities and stadiums in the World Cup of 2018 or 2022 - without having applied. The USA Bid Committee reduced its list this week from 70 stadiums to 45 in 37 U.S. cities.

Also in the hunt are the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J.; Lincoln Financial in Philadelphia; FedEx Field in Landover; RFK in Washington; Soldier Field in Chicago; Qwest Field in Seattle and the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

Terry Hasseltin takes great delight in this elevation to the world arena, and credits the ticket sales for the friendly, plus the attractive demographics Baltimore enjoys with proximity to Washington, Philadelphia and New York via the Northeast Corridor

Terry is also dropping hints about hosting friendlies on an annual basis, with next year’s match being headlined by a marquee contingent whose name we won’t mention here, (but is the fave of rocker Rod Stewart.)

Don’t get left at the box office for Chelsea-Milan. Tix are available online at www.baltimoreravens.com/soccer or by phone at 410-261-7283.