Seattle is awesome

Someone please explain to me why Mexico would choose to play a friendly in March 2011 in a US city. Mexico vs. Ecuador, March 29, San Diego. Why? No stadiums available then in Monterrey? Guadalajara? Nuevo Leon? Pueblo? What gives? Mexico did all its pre World Cup 2010 matches in the USA prior to flying to South Africa. This is already a longstanding trend. Why? (I have ideas; I would like others to chime in with what they know) Note: Yes, I see where Mexico will host -- in Mexico -- Brasil in October and Argentina in November. Okay. But there have sure been a lot of Mexico games in the USA (I'm obviously not meaning ones like the recent Gold Cup matches). This is great for fans here, but, if I live in Toluca, Irapuato, or Queretaro, I'd rather see El Tri in my hometown.

Very Simple Carlos, M-O-N-E-Y!!! Mexico plays more games in the United States than they do in Mexico. They can make much more money playing in the USA. They can charge much higher ticket prices and bring in more cash. Promoters and stadium owners know they will sell out a Mexico game in the USA vs anybody. Mexico could play my high school girls team in Dallas, charge $85 a ticket, and still sell out.

Andy, I get the financial aspects. Yes. And the matches played in the USA are surely televised live in Mexico, so there is guaranteed TV and advertising revenue for the federation, players, coaches. But is it just the financial? Or is there a security aspect to this as well? We all know the precarious position Mexico is in vis a vis its organized crime with tentacles into every aspect of the nation's leadership. Is this also a factor? Greater safety for the players and large suporting cast? (national team delegations tend to be about 50 - 80 people) Fewer possible "problems" if the matches are held outside Mexico's borders? Has a cartel ever directly threatened the national squad or national program? Or have there been threats to the stadium/fans where a match would be held?