Chattanooga is once again on the national soccer stage.
Once again, it appears the city will not disappoint.
More than 14,000 tickets have been sold to Friday night's friendly between the United States men's national team and Jamaica, according to Finley Stadium executive director Paul Smith, which already makes it the third-largest soccer crowd in Chattanooga history and the largest outside of August.
The U.S. women's team routed Costa Rica 7-2 before 20,535 drenched fans on Aug. 19, 2015, which topped the staggering 18,227 spectators who just 10 days earlier saw the Chattanooga Football Club fall 3-2 to the New York Cosmos "B" in the National Premier Soccer League championship match.
"Everybody is now seeing what we've always known down here, which is that we put on a great show and that we're great hosts as a community," Chattanooga FC general manager Sean McDaniel said. "We leave our differences at the door and for 90 minutes hold hands, sing, cheer and are unified around the spirit of soccer.
"That's not unusual in other countries, but in America it's somewhat unique."
Chattanooga has become unique when it comes to soccer in this country, with the 20,668-seat Finley nestling in among the larger venues in which the national teams have played. The women arrived here two years ago as World Cup champions and after playing a friendly in Pittsburgh, while the men are traveling to Chattanooga after playing Sunday in San Diego.
Friday will be the second U.S. men's match in Bruce Arena's second coaching stint with the national team, and he believes Chattanooga has earned its latest chance to host.
"It's important that fans across the country have an opportunity to see the national team," Arena said earlier this month in a news conference, "and we're always looking for places that have shown great support for the sport. From what we've seen, everything that has happened in Chattanooga is remarkable, and we're looking forward to a fantastic atmosphere."
The U.S. men played to a 0-0 draw with Serbia at Qualcomm Stadium, the now former home of the NFL's San Diego Chargers. Sunday's game was played under sunny skies and at 74 degrees, and it drew an announced crowd of 20,079, though the San Diego Union-Tribune estimated it closer to 17,000.
Getting around or above those figures would be another gem for Chattanooga's soccer reputation given that Friday's weather is calling for morning rain and a high of 47.
"We supported the FCS title game in far worse conditions," Smith said, referring to the December run of college football from 1997 to 2009.
The U.S. men will practice late Wednesday morning at Finley, but the workout is open only for area high school soccer coaches. Friday night's match, which McDaniel believes will be plenty important for both sides, will start at 7 p.m.
"Jamaica beat us two years ago in the Gold Cup semifinals, which is unheard of, so there is a bit of a revenge component to this," McDaniel said. "America is the most developed, wealthiest country in the world, and we expect our sports figures to fall in line with that. Any time we struggle against a smaller, less-capitalized nation, it always causes heartburn and anxiety.
"Even though this is a friendly, there is a lot on the line."
* Past U.S. national team members Stuart Holden and Brian Ching will join the Chattanooga FC Foundation in conducting a youth clinic Thursday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Chattanooga Christian School. It's for boys and girls ages 10-17 at a $100 each. Spots are limited but available at ChattanoogaFC.com.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.