TO READ IN ENGLISH, SCROLL DOWN Uno stadio intitolato a Pelé in tutti i 211 paesi affiliati alla Fédération Internationale de Football Association. La proposta è stata lanciata dallo stesso presidente della FIFA, Gianni Infantino, nel corso della cerimonia funebre della leggenda brasiliana, cerimonia tenutasi allo Stadio Vila Belmiro del Santos FC, in Brasile, lo scorso 2 gennaio. La stessa Fifa ha deciso di rinominare il campo presente nella sua sede di Zurigo, in Svizzera, “Estádio Pelé – Fifa Zurich”. Prima federazione a recepire le indicazioni di Infantino quella di Capo Verde. L’Estádio Nacional di Praia, la capitale del paese, è stato così intitolato “Estádio Pelé”. Hanno poi seguito l’esempio del piccolo stato dell’Africa Occidentale la Guinea Bissau (che ha deciso di rinominare l’Estádio Nacional di Bafatà, la seconda città più grande del paese, “Rei Pelé”) e la Colombia (che ha modificato il nome dell’impianto di Villavicencio, capoluogo della regione di Meta, in “Bello Horizonte - Rey Pelé”). ------------------------------------------------------ A stadium named after Pelé in all 211 countries affiliated to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was recently proposed. The proposal was made by the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, during the funeral ceremony of the Brazilian legend held at the Vila Belmiro Stadium of Santos FC, in Brazil, on January 2. FIFA itself has decided to rename the field at its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, “Estádio Pelé – FIFA Zurich." The first federation to follow the indications of President Infantino is Cape Verde. The Estádio Nacional in Praia, the capital of the country, was thus named “Estádio Pelé." The small West African state of Guinea Bissau (which decided to rename the Estádio Nacional of Bafatà, the second largest city in the country, “Rei Pelé”) and Colombia (which changed the name of Villavicencio facility, capital of the region of Meta, in “Bello Horizonte - Rey Pelé”) have also both followed the proposal.

We have all seen the articles, snippets, and quick memorials for Pelé. In a news cycle that quickly moves on to the next sensationalized attention-grabber of information. They are quick to tell us his official name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, who was born in Brazil on October 23, 1940, and was a football legend and Brazilian treasure. I think he deserves more time and to be brought up more frequently for changing the face of soccer in the United States. Pelé’s arrival in the United States changed the course of soccer in the United States of America. Pele came out of semi-retirement when he signed with the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League for $1.67 million a year for the 1975 season and was the highest-paid athlete on the planet. The league struggled to gain credibility since forming in 1968, which included 36 franchises coming and going. His first game with the team brought on 21,000 plus and was watched by 10 million viewers on CBS. The game put the sport on the national radar of the country, and for the next three seasons, Pele and the Cosmos would draw fans wherever they played. When he played his final game, a record crowd of 77,000 people packed Giants Stadium in a match against his former club Santos. However, the success would be fleeting with the league expanding to multiple markets that would play in giant football and multi-purpose stadiums. Salaries skyrocketed, and clubs ceased operations rapidly. The league would cease operations in March 1985, and the Cosmos would fade from history a few months later after an ill-fated independent schedule. However, the cast had been set with youth soccer involvement exploding through the country; many of those players would become members of the US Men’s Soccer Team in 1990 when they qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 40 years. In 1994, the USA would host a successful World Cup, proving that the country could be a soccer nation. Soccer might still be played in high school football venues in front of 2,000 fans, or perhaps the indoor version of the game would still be considered the top echelon of soccer in this country. Today, Major League Soccer thrives with a majority of soccer-specific venues and a passionate fanbase with 29 clubs. Would that have been the case without Pele’s success with the Cosmos? Pelé is one of the most successful and popular sports figures of the 1900s but should be discussed and referenced throughout the 2000s. In the United States, he doesn't seem to get the recognition he deserves for not only being the best player but also for his undeclared dignity in soccer. He wasn’t just labeled one of the greatest players of all time but was given the title of “the greatest” by FIFA. He was a superior player & human being that was also named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee in 1999. In addition, he was voted world player of the century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics. To have titles like these but still not be a household name in the 21st century is why he holds the title (in my opinion) of one of the most underrated and appreciated players in the United States.

It’s the end of the year episode, and the gang talks about their favorites from the year 2022: the best games, venues, facilities and biggest surprises. All that and more on the year-end finale podcast for 2022! You can find all of our fantastic video content on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. For audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast, visit HIAC Talk Radio.

Photo by Aaron Terry, Stadium Journey The 2022 Bowl Season Kicks off with Two Thrillers Orlando, FL – December 16, 2022 In what may turn out to be one of the better matchups of the 2022 college football bowl season, the #24 ranked Sun Belt Champion Troy Trojans took on the #25 ranked Conference USA Champion UTSA Roadrunners in the Cure Bowl on the first day of bowl action; both teams had records of 11-2 coming into the contest. After falling behind by double digits in the first half (including a safety scored against them on a bad snap), Troy rallied in the 4th quarter to win 18-12, despite 4 sacks on their QB and starting inside their 10-yard line on 4 separate drives. UTSA was ultimately doomed by penalties and a total 5 turnovers, and was unable to score in the second half – most notably they turned the ball over on downs after a first-and-goal from the Troy 2 with about 7 minutes left in the 4th, in what could have been the go-ahead score. The Cure Bowl is held at Exploria Stadium, a soccer-specific stadium that is normally home to Orlando City SC , Orlando City B, and the Orlando Pride, but which began hosting the Cure Bowl in 2022 after the game was moved from nearby Camping World Stadium; the 2022 Cure Bowl is sponsored by Duluth Trading Company. Coincidentally, the other bowl game on this first day of the 2022 bowl season was also a matchup of two teams with the same record coming in, as the 6-6 Miami (OH) Redhawks took on the 6-6 UAB Blazers in the HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl. That contest also came down to the wire, with 4 lead changes occurring in the 2nd half as UAB overcame 3 turnovers to win 24-20; one of those turnovers even gave Miami (OH) a first-and-goal from the UAB 4 after a muffed punt during the 3rd quarter, which the Redhawks turned into a touchdown 1 play later. The Bahamas Bowl is also held at a soccer stadium, that being Thomas A. Robinson Stadium in Nassau. The Bahamas Bowl was previously sponsored by Popeye’s and Makers Wanted, and in 2017 and 2020-2021 had no title sponsor, before being picked up by HomeTown Lenders for 2022. The 2022 Bowl action continues on December 17th with a whopping 7 different contests throughout the day all across the country, by far the busiest day of Bowl Season, and culminates on January 9th with the National Championship at SoFi Stadium .

Stadium Journey is always working to expand coverage of the world's sport stadiums. Check back frequently to see more posts!

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 All-Tech Raceway 1024 SW Howell Rd Lake City, FL 32024 All-Tech Raceway website Year Opened: 1974 A New Dirt Track Experience All-Tech Raceway has been around for a while, having opened in 1974 as a short track. Recently the track was sold and converted to a dirt track, which has changed the experience at All-Tech Raceway, but at the same time, the track has remained the family friendly environment it has always sought to be. A trip to this track half an hour north of Gainesville, Florida makes it plain to see why locals flock here every weekend. Food & Beverage 3 The food here is made fresh on site, so while the selection may be limited, you aren’t getting pre-packaged junk heated in the microwave. Prices are incredibly affordable as well, with hot dogs running just $2.50. Hamburgers are just $3.50 ($4 for cheeseburgers), nachos and cheese is just $3, and an order of fries is $3. Corn dogs are $2, with an assortment of candy and chips ranging from $0.50 to $2. Perhaps the most popular item is the redneck nachos at $6, or the pork sandwich at $5. Drinks range from $1 to $2.50 for water, soda, Gatorade, coffee, and sweet tea. Atmosphere 4 The track is incredibly comfortable and clean for a local short track. The main seating area is built on a berm, with the concessions stands and media tower located on top of the berm. Below the berm, fans can sit on tiered stone levels made from pavers and stones that offer enough room per level to set up folding chairs, but still have room around you. For the comfort of those around the track, smoking is limited to the far ends of each side of the seating area, outside of the main seating areas, which makes for a much more comfortable experience for everyone. Neighborhood 2 There isn’t much around All-Tech Raceway – Gainesville is the closest large town, located about a half an hour south on I-75. Next to the track, you see mostly private land and trees. While this makes the track feel a bit more isolated and relaxing, it also means you have to drive a bit to get to anything substantial. For lodging, there are exactly three motels nearby – Dream Inn, Palms Garden Inn, and Travelers Inn Motel. For something bigger and of higher quality, your best bet is to look in and around the Gainesville area. For food, you will have to drive to Gainesville (there is a Wendy’s just off the same I-75 exit as the track), where you can find Jason’s Deli, Red Lobster, Chipotle, Blaze Pizza, and countless other shopping and dining options in the college town. For attractions, the University of Florida is in Gainesville, offering many options for the college sports fan. Also, to the north, just outside of Lake City, is Osceola National Forest. Fans 5 The fans pack in the track every race day. Parking fills up, the fans gather around their favorite drivers in the paddock area, and the racing action keeps the speed-loving faithful entertained for the whole night. The fans are polite, and that makes for an incredibly family friendly environment for the whole family. Access 4 All-Tech Raceway is one of the easiest tracks to get to when it comes to local racing, and parking is plentiful on site. Getting to the track is pretty easy – I-75 is the closest highway, and the track is less than a mile from the highway exit. Once you take exit 93, head south on US-41 until you get to SW Howell Rd; once you turn onto that, the track is just a short drive down. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $15 per person to get in, and while that may be more than some local short tracks in America, the quality of the experience is worth it. You get a comfortable seating area to watch the races from, a family friendly atmosphere, and some exciting racing on track. The only deterrent is the track’s distance from major cities, so you will have to trek a little out of the way for this one. Extras 2 All-Tech Raceway brings out the young fans every night, to hold American flags along the front stretch during the national anthem. The track also offers a paddock pass, getting you access into the track’s pits for an up-close view of the drivers, cars, and teams each weekend. Final Thoughts All-Tech Raceway is a bit out of the way, and while it may not have the presence or name recognition of some of Florida’s other short tracks, it is no less entertaining. If you’re a race fan looking for an adventure to see someplace new, All-Tech Raceway may be your perfect match.

Photo Courtesy of Santa Clara Broncos Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Stephen Schott Stadium El Camino Real at Campbell Ave Santa Clara, CA 95053 Santa Clara Broncos website Stephen Schott Stadium website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 1,500 Bronco Baseball The Santa Clara University Broncos have played at Stephen Schott Stadium since it opened in 2005 at a construction cost of $8.6 million. $4 million of the total was donated by former SCU baseball player and Oakland Athletics owner Stephen Schott. You enter the stadium from behind home plate and make your way past the snack bar to the main rotunda that stretches from third base, behind home plate, to first base. From this walkway, you can go down to the lower level, complete with chair back seats or to the upper-level bleachers. As one of the newer facilities in the conference, Schott Stadium certainly is a nice place to watch a game. The sight lines are great, the stadium clean, and all parts of it accessible. The SCU Broncos currently play in the West Coast Conference, typically known for their basketball powerhouses of Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s and BYU. However the WCC also has formidable baseball programs with Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine both making appearances in the College World Series. The Broncos made their only appearance in 1962 as runners-up to the University of Michigan. The Broncos most recent NCAA Tournament appearance came in 1997. Food & Beverage 3 There’s nothing that sticks out as particularly special at Schott Stadium, though the prices are quite reasonable compared to other venues around the Bay Area. The main courses include a grilled chicken sandwich ($6), cheeseburger ($6), garden burger ($5) hot dog ($4) and nachos ($7). The peripheral items are pretzels, churros, nachos, popcorn (all $3), candy ($2) and whole fruit ($3). You can get a 16 oz soda for $2 or a 32 oz soda for $3. The most popular items of the evening were definitely hot chocolates and coffee ($2 each) as it was a bitingly brisk evening. Atmosphere 3 The stadium itself is quite aesthetically pleasing as it is clean and has great sight lines. I also liked that there are condos beyond the right field fence which made it feel a bit like a big league park. It is also beneficial to get close to the action as there are only 1,500 seats at Schott Stadium. I feel like the experience suffered a bit from the cold. About a third of those in attendance gathered behind home plate in front of the press box and luxury suite to use the brick facade as a wind-blocker, steaming coffee and chocolate in tow. The main detraction in my eyes beside the sparsely attended game itself was that there were very few indicators of where you were and who you were watching, etc. There were few banners and insignia displayed around Schott Stadium. Neighborhood 3 Santa Clara University is located in a suburban neighborhood outside of San Jose. The immediate neighborhood is college-centric with good bars and restaurants nearby where you can grub with a group or spend a night with a date. There are places to stop by for a sandwich or a slice of pizza in the neighborhood as these options may be cheaper (and sometimes better) than the ones in the venue. You can grab beer on nearby Franklin Street at The Hut or a bite at Mondo Burrito. Aside from the options available the neighborhood is clean, safe and beautiful. This student-focused, somewhat upscale neighborhood is a nice place to explore before or after the game. It’s a little bit of a sleepy town with most of the nightlife happening in San Jose. Schott Stadium is located directly across El Camino Real from the main SCU campus, a rock’s throw from Buck Shaw Stadium and Leavey Center. The university is not far from where the San Francisco 49ers are building their new stadium. Fans 2 We just can’t handle the cold in California and the seats showed that. To compound the problem for the home team, more than half of those in attendance were supporters from the visiting team Cal Poly, from San Luis Obispo, 200 miles south. I could be wrong but it seemed there wasn’t much of a connection between the fans and their team. The fans there were certainly engaged with the game and paying attention, I just didn’t sense much passion. Much like the basketball game experience, many of the lively fans were in the luxury suite near the press box. Access 5 The campus is located between three major freeways: 101, 880 and 280. All of these allow easy access to surface roads leading to campus. These surface roads are well maintained and easy to navigate, even if it’s your first time in the area. The major parking lot for Schott Stadium is located right off the El Camino Real and are easy to get in and out of. Trying to avoid paying for parking? Street parking is just as easy, just watch for signs. Getting around the stadium is easy because of the wide walkways and I don’t think it would change much when the game is sold to capacity. There is one set of bathrooms behind the press box near the equally accessible snack bar. The nearest Caltrain station is about a half mile away which services the Peninsula from San Jose to San Francisco. Return on Investment 3 Tickets (starting at $7 for adults) and concessions are very reasonable considering the fine facility the Broncos play in. However, if my experience is the norm I’m not sure the return can be much greater than a three. Schott Stadium surely is a good place to watch a game but it has a ways to go to match the experience of the nearby Sunken Diamond. Extras 1 Schott Stadium does not do a good job of honoring their past, in my opinion. While the Leavey Center has retired numbers and championship banners displayed, Schott Stadium had neither. Like I said before, there isn’t much in the way of insignia anywhere at the stadium. This did make for a nice clean look and feel and perhaps that is what they were going for.