In Phila., disappointment as U.S. fails

Philadelphia soccer fans who were ready for a celebration instead let out a collective groan Thursday when the sport's governing body, FIFA, announced that Qatar had beaten out the United States and three other bidders to host the 2022 World Cup.

FIFA also announced that Russia would host the 2018 World Cup.

Many Philadelphia soccer enthusiasts, including Mayor Nutter, were on hand at Tír na nÓg, the Irish pub at 16th and Arch Streets, on Thursday morning to view the World Cup announcement.

As soon as FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced Qatar as the winner, the festive attitude in the pub turned to gloom.

The scene was likely repeated in locales in Australia, South Korea and Japan, the others that lost out to Qatar.

The winning Middle Eastern country is smaller than Connecticut.

"I am shocked," said Union defender Danny Califf, who was at the pub with a few of his teammates. "It's really disappointing."

Philadelphia was among the 18 American cities in the running to host games if the United States won a bid. An official from the U.S. World Cup Bid Committee said between 10 and 12 of the host cities would have been selected about five years before the event.

The Philadelphia Sports Congress, a division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, led the efforts to show the area's commitment.

Of the 18 cities that were U.S. venue finalists, Philadelphia sent the most signatures (104,478 as of Thursday morning) in a petition supporting the country's World Cup bid. That was considerably ahead of second-place Indianapolis (87,808).

It's all for naught now that the United States came up short.

"The statement Philadelphia made to be part of the U.S. bid is one we can be very proud of," Phillies general partner David Montgomery said after the announcement.

According to Larry Needle, the executive director of the Philadelphia Sports Congress, Philadelphia began the process in the spring of 2009, and a formal bid was due that summer.

Needle said the partners in the project were the Union and Eagles, along with the city of Philadelphia, the state, and the regional soccer community, largely represented by the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association.

The World Cup had estimated that the economic impact of hosting a World Cup on a city was between $300 million and $500 million, minus expenses.

"More importantly for us, one of the biggest reasons wasn't just a short-term impact but long-term exposure," Needle said. "It would have given us the ability to affect our international tourism and profile."

Now everyone involved will have to bounce back from the most disappointing of defeats.

"We understand FIFA's decision was difficult," said Don Smolenski, chief operating officer of the Eagles, in an e-mail response. "However, the teamwork and partnerships forged throughout the bid process have strengthened out ability and our resolve to continue our efforts to spotlight Philadelphia and the region as a superb destination for premier international sporting events."