Person familiar with negotiations: Mexico could play Ecuador at Meadowlands

AP source: Mexico-Ecuador possible at Meadowlands

NEW YORK — Mexico and Ecuador could play a World Cup warmup match at the new $1.6 billion Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on May 7, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press

Negotiations are in the final stages for the match to be included in Mexico’s pre-World Cup tour, the person said, speaking Tuesday on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made. Mexico also is negotiating to play Bolivia at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park on Feb. 24, the person said.

A grass field would be installed at the new Meadowlands for the Mexico-Ecuador game, a second person said, also on condition of anonymity. It would be the first soccer game at the stadium, where the regular surface is FieldTurf.

The first scheduled event at the new home of the NFL’s New York Giants and Jets is a college lacrosse tripleheader on April 10. Bon Jovi is to perform the first concert on May 26.

The new Meadowlands, with an 82,500-capacity, 9,500 club seats and 222 luxury suites, is among the venues selected to be included in the U.S. bid for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. It also is bidding to host the 2014 Super Bowl.

Mexico, which meets host South Africa in the World Cup opener on June 11, has a March 3 exhibition lined up against New Zealand at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Its U.S. tours are promoted by Soccer United Marketing, an affiliate of Major League Soccer.

Ron VanDeVeen, senior vice president of events at the new stadium, declined comment.