The U.S. Men's soccer team faces Belgium in Brazil today at 4:00PM, and you might not know it, but traffic may have played a major part in the potential outcome of the game.
On June 11th, 2014, the U.S. scrimmage against Belgium was cancelled because of a traffic jam on the way into Sao Paulo. Belgium coach Marc Wilmots and U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann came to an agreement that the cancelling the match was in the best interest of both teams, with Wilmot quoted as saying that he "will not take the risk to go into Sao Paulo, looking at the possibility of a strike and traffic jams."
In fact, the entire World Cup has been affected by traffic, including a 214 mile backup that occurred just days before the start of the tournament and set most of the city's residents and incoming spectators on high alert, partially due to the recent strike of some of Sao Paulo's public transportation workers.
What causes that kind of nightmare backup? It can largely be attributed to a city's infrastructure, population and ease with which residents can use the public transportation system. Adding in hundreds of thousands of spectators, media personnel, teams, coaches and families, the games were an easy target for gridlock that ultimately may have had a profound affect on the outcome of the Cup. Cancelled scrimmages and inability for teams to access practice fields does not bode well for anyone, but especially our beloved U.S. Men's team.
Still, there is hope. Reports coming from Brazil indicate that our national team will face Belgium with players at full-strength, while there are still questions about whether or not some of Belgium's strongest players will be able to take the field due to injury or ineligibility. Regardless, the GeoTraffic national traffic team remains optimistic that a problem such as traffic will not have international consequences for us.
How can we avoid traffic like this in our home country? GeoTraffic, our pride and joy, allows users the option to receive reporting for single highways on demand and in real time. Thus, you can plan accordingly for your commute, targeting each highway and receiving alternate routes if necessary, to make sure you get to your destination on time whether it be a little league championship or Major League Baseball game.
Sports are important in the U.S., driving billions in revenue each year in the 13 major markets we currently cover (with more on the way!) Help us help you keep out of trouble on the roads for all your most important #sports moments and download the GeoTraffic app, available today in iTunes and Droid stores.
And, if you are headed out of work early to catch the game, make sure you get to where your going on time and don't miss a moment of the action. Most importantly, GO USA!!!
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