The Bethlehem Soccer Stadium is an association football stadium in Upper Bethlehem, St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands.[1] The stadium is home to the US Virgin Islands national football team while the larger complex also includes the offices and technical center of the U.S. Virgin Islands Soccer Federation.[2]
 | |
| Location | 23-1 Estate Bethlehem Upper Bethlehem, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 17°43′49″N 64°47′10″W / 17.7304°N 64.7860°W |
| Capacity | 1,200 |
| Surface | Artificial turf |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 2017 |
| Opened | August 11, 2019 |
| Tenants | |
| US Virgin Islands national football team | |
The stadium can accommodate 1,200 total seated spectators on two grandstands.[3] It is the territory’s first soccer-specific stadium and was funded fully by FIFA.[4]
History
editThe transition of the U.S. Virgin Islands Soccer Federation offices to Bethlehem Estate began with FIFA Goal Project funding in 2015.[2] Construction of the technical center was scheduled to begin the following year and on the national stadium in 2017. The stadium was to be constructed to address a lack of footballing infrastructure and a proper national stadium.[5]
The stadium was officially opened on August 11, 2019 with a ceremony that included guests such as FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani.[6][7] However, the stadium was already in use as the USVI olympic team hosted its qualifying matches for the 2020 Summer Olympics the previous month.[8]
The stadium hosted the senior men's national team for the first time on September 5, 2019 for a 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League C match against the Cayman Islands.[9][10]
References
edit- ^ "Bethlehem Soccer Stadium". gotostcroix.com. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ a b "USVI SSoccer Association Announces New Office Location". VI Consortium. Archived from the original on 10 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ Wilby, Ryan. "Grandstand Seating for the United States Virgin Islands Soccer Association". Sport Systems Canada. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ "Soccer stadium set to open in April on St. Croix; facility will host lcoal and international FIFA tournaments". viconsortium.com. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
- ^ Williams, Sean A. "Minnows US Virgin Islands yearn for football respect". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 10 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ "Sunday August 11 FIFA and Concacaf Presidents will be visiting the US Virgin Islands". United States Virgin Islands Soccer Association. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ "USVI Soccer Association Invites Community to Masters Tournament on Aug. 11". St. Croix Source. Archived from the original on 10 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ Murphy, Kyle. "USVI Soccer Association Announces Slate of Games in July". St. Croix Source. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ "Schedule Confirmed for the Inaugural Round of CONCACAF Nations League Group Stage Matches". CONCACAF. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ "New Home a Big Boost for US Virgin Islands in Nations League". concacafnationsleague.com. Retrieved 2 September 2019.