Rose Bowl Gets World Cup Dry Run

The game Saturday between the World Cup soccer teams of the United States and Mexico is expected to have an educational benefit for three groups:

--The teams, because it is the last warm-up for each before the World Cup tournament begins June 17.

--The World Cup staff at the Rose Bowl, because it is the first soccer game at the venue in two years and its only dry run before its first World Cup match, June 18 between Colombia and Romania.

--The fans, because Saturday’s game will be a chance for them to familiarize themselves with the special procedures that will be followed during all eight World Cup games at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

For David Simmons, venue executive director, Saturday’s game is the best possible tuneup because games with Mexico traditionally draw large crowds. Simmons said tickets are selling at a “phenomenal” rate and officials expect a crowd of about 60,000 for the game, which starts at 4:30.

Simmons stressed the importance of buying tickets ahead of time to avoid delays on game day, adding that parking will be limited and car-pooling is recommended.

“There’ll be some major differences between the World Cup operations and this game,” Simmons said. “We don’t have all the systems in place, but there’ll be a greater degree of World Cup presence. We’ll have a major game critique on Monday to analyze what worked and what didn’t.”

Many World Cup security procedures will be followed, including the ban on alcohol, both in the Rose Bowl and its parking lots. Fans will enter the stadium through two security checkpoints. The first checkpoint will include searches for contraband.

Street access and parking in the neighborhoods surrounding the Rose Bowl will be restricted to residents with passes. Rose Bowl parking lots will open five hours before the game, and the gates will open three hours before the game.