USMNT Gold Cup Final: Chicago

Last, but certainly not least, we headed to Chicago for the Gold Cup final. Because of a Dynamo home game Saturday night, I chose to fly early Sunday morning (David flew out Saturday). It was 12,500 miles (cheap!) for the 7AM flight on United's dreamliner. There was hardly anyone on flight! I was in an entire row of nine seats by myself. I will say the dreamliner's really nice. You get free movies/tv shows, the windows have dimmers for sunlight, and the overhead bins are REALLY spacious. The flight is also shorter on the dreamliner, probably about an hour compared to a regular plane.

Originally I had booked us at a Fairfield Inn and Suites a bit north of the river for a total of $180 for one night, but upon further research on Saturday morning, I found the Renaissance Blackstone hotel for a total of $150 (including taxes), which isn't bad for booking the previous day directly on the Marriott website! Not only is the Renaissance a nicer hotel (both are part of the Marriott chain-wanted to use some gift cards), but it's in a better location RIGHT off of Michigan Avenue RIGHT across from Grant Park. This put us closer to the game day bar and Soldier Field. The lobby was gorgeous, and the executive lounge had a hot breakfast (since I'm a gold member for Marriott). For the record, no one in Chicago refers to it as a Renaissance hotel; instead, people refer to it as the "Blackstone hotel." 

Chicago is probably the only city I'll use public transportation mainly because of familiarity. It has an excellent system. There is actually a train station inside the airport, which makes it convenient. Most of the downtown hotels (Renaissance Blackstone and Palmer House Hilton to name a couple) are within a ten minute walking distance of a train, so not bad at all. It costs $5 to go from the airport to downtown (one-way) and takes about an hour. From past experience, you can also use the train (orange line) to reach Toyota Park as well.

By the time I landed, took the train, and checked into the hotel (luckily there was a room available yesterday at 11AM), I arrived at the game day bar, Weather Mark Tavern, around 11:45AM. I'd last been to the bar in 2009 when there was a world cup qualifier against Honduras. It is a great meeting point because of proximity to Soldier Field.

The march to the stadium is one of the most epic marches I've participated in, although admittedly it's one of the few I've done recently. Typically I go in early to grab a good seat, but this time, I wanted to see what was in store for us. We marched towards the US Soccer House. Sunil Gulati spoke, and he's the reason why the march is the most epic. His speech was somewhat serious but very good. Apparently our chant of "You're not going to Brazil" offends other countries, and he said, "So you've now been told not to sing it" with a smile on his face. He also asked the Mexican federation if they've priced charters to New Zealand, which I thought was cute.

We then marched onto the stadium. It should be noted bass drums weren't allowed in, so there was only one small drum allowed. We couldn't bring in banners either, and rumor had it that this was a FIFA/CONCACAF mandate (not per stadium). Yet, in the corner, I saw Panamanian banners, one being as long as our AO national banner, so go figure. There is ALWAYS a double standard with FIFA/CONCACAF. 

The section was rocking, and AO Chicago did their very best without bass drums or capo stands. Things in the section were okay until (I learned later) some Panamanians wanted their assigned seats, which were in the middle of the front row of our section. So, just like Arlington, security went around spot-checking people's tickets. Some people got kicked out of their seats and had to move to their assigned seats. It was quite inconsistent as to who would have to move and who would not. It's a good thing David and I from the beginning had decided to stick with our assigned seats. It's very frustrating from a section standpoint to have so much inconsistency between stadiums. You often go into the section, not knowing if it's really general admission or assigned seating. Chapters and AO national can spread the word pre-game as much as possible, but the bottom line is that security is always a complete crap shoot during games, even mid-game.

Winning the trophy made this entire tournament all the sweeter. There's great satisfaction in knowing that you supported your team the ENTIRE way, without fail. Post-game we went to Gino's East, my favorite deep dish pizza place ever, hands down. I've been to Lou Malnati's, but the sauce isn't as good. I've been to Giordano's, but the crust reminds me of the Red Baron frozen deep dish pizza you buy in the grocery store. There were only praises for the food of our group of ten, so I must've picked a good spot. 

This morning David left for San Diego around 8:30AM; I had a few hours to kill before checking out and making my flight. I wanted to go to the skydeck of Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears tower), but it was an hour wait. Apparently you can buy tickets in advance, so I'll have to remember for next time. I walked from Grant Park down to Millennium Park. Michigan Avenue is great to walk and enough entertainment. Filming was ongoing at Millennium Park, and apparently I may have been watching a Shameless episode being recorded.

My flight departed around 3:30PM today on the dreamliner again. It cost 12,500 miles, and since I myself was out of the miles, my dad thankfully had enough for me to use. We have decided any miles he earns (since he has the United Mileage Plus credit card) will be applied towards domestic flights because it's worth more. An international flight costs around 130,000 miles (at least, to get to Singapore/Malaysia), and United is NOT good to fly internationally in the economy cabin. We prefer Singapore Airlines.

Looking back at these last few weeks, doing this entire Gold Cup camp (including the San Diego friendly) from start to finish has been amazing. There were only four of us American Outlaws who made EVERY game, and I'm certainly the only female to do it. I should also note David is the only one (of the four of us) who made every AO event, as I missed Portland's night before party. The other two guys (one's from Phoenix/NYC and the other's from Alaska/Brooklyn) typically would arrive on game day and leave right after the game or the next morning. Grant Wahl on Saturday night told David we should get some sort of reward, so if anyone ever wants to sponsor me or donate to my soccer travel fund, by all means, feel free.

I have learned it is possible to survive a 3+ weeks, 7-game trip with someone. As we were planning, this of course was a concern for both of us, understandably. Neither of us had been with a non-family member for so long on a daily basis. The only time we really disagreed on this trip was when he wouldn't carry me from the stadium to the tailgate after the game in Salt Lake City because I was tired. It's funny because we didn't even fight really. I asked and he said no. SIGH. :-P He even asked last night if there was anything we could fight about, but I told him that there was no point in starting a fight this late in the trip LOL. Without David's good nature and patience, this would not have been an enjoyable trip, and so for that, I thank him.

My next soccer-related trip isn't until Labor Day weekend (Dynamo in Chicago), so I won't be writing for a while!

USMNT Gold Cup Semi-Final: Arlington

Being a Houstonian, there isn't much to plan in terms of driving to Arlington, which is about 30 minutes west of Dallas. We left Sugar Land, TX (where I live, southwest of Houston) on game day around 9AM to avoid Houston traffic, made a pitstop at a gas station near the Cowboys stadium, and arrived around 1PM. We made good timing on the road, especially since the speed limit's now 75mph once you leave Huntsville (north of Houston) through Ennis (south of Dallas). I should note once you enter Ennis, you have to be very careful - it's a speed trap all the way to Dallas, so watch out!

Upon arrival, we circled the Cowboys stadium for lot 11. We had trouble finding it because of course it wasn't near lots 12-14. We ended up going all the way around; we did notice a WalMart is RIGHT across the street from the stadium. So, take note if you ever need to go (although brace yourself for a busy store as the parking lot was packed!).

We had been previously told in emails, AO Dallas Facebook event, and AO national website that the lots opened at 1PM. We waited in line with some Mexican fans, even though we could spot the AO tailgate WAY across the parking lot. The security guy told us to wait in line with the Mexican fans, but I asked, "Are you sure? We need to be on the other side of the lot. Can't you tell we don't look like we belong here?" The guy smiled and shook his head. He gave me directions for how to enter the other side of the lot, so we left the Mexican fans and drove around again.

We waited in line, but by now it was 1:45PM. The same security guy came over to me and explained the lots may not open until 3PM. AO national had a small meeting with the security guys at the lot entrance. It turned out the lady who told everyone 1PM was fired, so they changed the time to 3PM (even though there were plenty of parking attendants available). The parking lot situation alone was a sign of things to come.

AO national told some of us to buy a parking pass quickly online, and they'd let us in earlier, so we did. It should be noted $30 was the advertised cash price, but in actuality, the stadium was charging $35 (another last minute change). With fees, the total online cost $37.50, which was more expensive than what the lot charged, but at least we were able to park an hour earlier. I was the last car they let in, so others had to wait until 3PM.

I forgot to bring a friend's ticket, so we made the hike to the stadium. The website stated will call was located at either entry A or F. Upon asking a security guy, he said, "No, it's located at entry D, and that's the only one that's open now." [It was 3:30PM. According to the website, will call opened at 3PM.] We followed his directions, found will call, and frankly, it was the only process that was easy and correct. All I had to give was my photo ID and order confirmation number; less than ten minutes later, I had a re-printed ticket in my hand. According to the will call girl, 76K seats and 8K standing-only tickets were sold.

We returned to the tailgate, which was in full swing. AO Dallas had brats, hamburgers, chips, etc. It was a true tailgate. It was hot on the asphalt, but we made the best of it. I have to admit I sought refuge in my car a few times and ran the air conditioning because it was about 92 degrees (cold front for Texas I guess LOL). During the tailgate, it was known that although we had been given approval to bring in one banner (not on a pole), we would not be able to hang it anywhere. Therefore, the decision was made not to bring in any banners. Later, I noticed Grant Wahl tweeted we were denied banner entry altogether, but I can only report what was known to us at the tailgate. There was so much internal miscommunication between stadium staff that we were receiving various reasons, but the bottom line was that we weren't going to bring in banners.

Because of the hot weather, we decided to head to the gates about 4PM. Although I had brought a bass drum, mallets, & drumming gloves, AO national suggested not bringing the drum. We had been given approval to bring the drum, but given the parking lot fiasco and stadium being picky about banners, we decided to forgo the drum because of the size. I should note I never heard a bass drum in the stadium, which leads me to believe no bass drums were allowed. It's a good thing I didn't bring it because walking back across the hot parking lot to bring the drum back to my car would've sucked.

Gate entry was also complicated. We headed to the closest gate, went through the strip search, and then were denied entry. Apparently you can only enter the gate on your ticket, so we left the line and headed to the correct date, underwent the strip search again, and finally entered. The air conditioning is the only thing good about the Cowboys stadium.

We found our seats, which were in a corner near a tunnel, and quickly discovered we were in a tiny section away from the main AO section (behind the endline), even though we used the code. Oh well, there were plenty of other games where we had been in the section. This time, it was a good thing. Between the Honduran female above spitting on the main AO section ("Swallow, don't spit!" chant was popular) and Mexican fans wanting their front row seats (which not only resulting in lots of booing but security checking people's tickets in the surrounding seats), the drama across from us was sometimes more entertaining than the game.

Since we were winning in stoppage time, I booked my return flight. I had booked my Houston to Chicago flight for Sunday morning (don't want to miss the Dynamo home game on Saturday) using 12,500 United miles, which wasn't bad, considering I booked on Monday. During stoppage time yesterday, I booked my return flight from Chicago to Houston on Monday afternoon for 12,500 miles thanks to using my Dad's airline miles (since I'm pretty much depleted at this point!). Not bad at all! And these flights are on the dreamliner, so wish me luck!

After the game, we left for Plano, TX (about 45 minutes north of Arlington), where my last college roommate lives. He recently got married, and he and his wife graciously agreed to give us some floor space for free. We brought an air mattress, so it was all good. I can't ever complain about a free house to stay. Today we left around 10AM or so and arrived at my house around 2PM, which was good timing.

I am glad the USA won, so we're off to Chicago. I agree with the sentiment that I hope the Cowboys stadium never gets another game. Even though it's supposedly a world-class stadium, we were not only treated better in Baltimore, but Baltimore understood soccer culture and were organized. In contrast, Dallas was not. I'd even advocate having a soccer game at FC Dallas's stadium next time over the Cowboys stadium. Ugh!

USMNT Gold Cup: Baltimore

From Hartford, CT, we headed to DC. For this part of the trip, we actually had a couple of days off, so we decided to take the time to go sightseeing. We stayed at the Doubletree hotel next to Dupont Circle for free thanks to using 80,000 Hilton points. My one criticism about this hotel is that the free continental breakfast ends so early - 9AM! We never made breakfast!

DC is a great place to vacation if you’re on a budget. While hotels tend to be expensive, there are a ton of free things to do. After visiting the outdoor memorials (World War II, Korean War, etc) on Wednesday, we visited at least 5-6 Smithsonian museums on Thursday. Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes!

Getting from DC to Baltimore is a bit tricky. Per Google, if you take normal public transportation, it’s about 4 hours with at least 6 steps or transfers. I called the Baltimore hotel ahead of time, who suggested using the MARC (local commuter train), but according to the website, it would take about 2 hours with still at least 6 steps or transfers. 

Being unfamiliar with the public transportation system and also hauling luggage, we decided the easiest way to travel between the two cities would be to take a shuttle from the DC hotel to DCA, rent a car (ended up being less than $5 thanks to points), and then take a shuttle from BWI to the Baltimore hotel. The shuttles probably cost about $40 total for the two of us. 

I should note I get a $2 discount with Super Shuttle each way thanks to buying the entertainment book schools tend to sell annually. [I’m sure you can find a co-worker selling for his/her child! There are also hotel and car rental discounts too.] I also like Super Shuttle because you can book online, receive an email confirmation, and cancel up to four hours prior to pickup to get a refund (you’ll receive a cancellation email). I don’t have to really make conversation with the driver (since you input your airline information), and the shuttle tends to be half the cost of a taxi. It’s an option to keep in mind when traveling without a car.

The one-hour road trip from DC to Baltimore is probably one of the most congested trips I’ve ever taken. We left around 2PM on a Friday, and little did we know we wouldn’t go more than 45mph. It was such a shame, since Hertz gave me a mustang. I never got to really use the accelerator - what a waste! Oh well. 

We arrived at the Hilton Baltimore hotel ($65 plus Hilton points per night), which was nice. We had a 19^th story view of the clock tower, which was beautiful when lit at night. There’s a Hilton Honors executive lounge, and as a diamond member, I had access. Later during the trip, we met important CONCACAF Gold Cup staff (since our hotel was the headquarters), such as the match commissioner for the USA vs. El Salvador game. Hands down, the hotel had the BEST view I’ve ever had in a lounge. We could see right over Camden Yards (had a clear, unobstructed view of the bases) and subsequently, could see M&T Bank Stadium next door. 

Friday night after our short journey, we decided to take it easy. The lounge offered free appetizers (egg rolls and pot stickers) along with fruit, cheese, and veggie plates, so we just ate at the lounge. David was like a little kid in the candy store because of the view. 

Another great thing about the Hilton Baltimore was their concierge service via twitter. We wanted to see a movie, and the hotel directed us to a closer movie theater than the one I found via Google maps. I still marvel at the fact that companies are so responsive via twitter. Within five minutes, I had exact directions and had learned there’s a free bus (Charm Circulator) that goes around the city. The bus also happened to stop right in front, outside the hotel. Awesome!

We saw Despicable Me 2 in 3D, and it was a good movie. I like kids movies. It was a nice time, and sometimes you just need that break from the soccer world. We’d also been traveling together daily since July 4^th, so it was nice to do something quiet. 

The next day on Saturday, we roamed around Camden Yards, since Eutaw Street was open (street alongside the ballpark with bars/stores). David is also a baseball fan, so it was like having a tour guide when he was explaining the history of the ballpark. I am not a baseball fan (too slow-paced for me), but I can appreciate the sport’s contribution to American history.

Friends began to arrive Saturday early afternoon, so we met with our usual AO Detroit couple - Amy and Robert. We went to Tir Na Nog in Inner Harbor (thanks to using the free bus), which brings back memories for me. I was last in Baltimore about four years ago, had a great time at that bar then with co-workers, and I had a great time again with friends. 

Later Jim & Shelly from AO DC joined us, and it was like an old gang again. We’ve all met each other on these trips at some point. I think we figured out the Houston Gold Cup semi-final two years ago was the starting point for when I met everyone, although David and Robert had met back in circa 2007. We wandered around Inner Harbor, debated about whether some scrap metal was art, saw an Amish family in purple and black, and had a good time. We drank until it was time to freshen up for dinner. We also learned our hotel’s connected to the convention center, which is important to keep in mind if you’re walking when it’s so hot outside!

I decided to nap because at this point in the trip I developed a cold. I think my body wasn’t used to walking in 100+ degree heat in DC and then going into a museum where the temperature’s about 60 degrees. I wanted to save energy for game day. The rest of the gang went to a dinner organized by AO DC at an oyster bar.

I met the rest of the group at Slainte’s Irish Pub at the night before party (about $12-$13 via taxi). I wasn’t feeling the greatest, so I basically just ate and left. The crowd was your true AO party, which I was pleased to note. The highlight of the night was just as we were leaving. We couldn’t find the exit, so we were running around like chickens with our heads cut off. Out of nowhere, Grant Wahl grabs my arm and says, “Hey!!!! Aren’t you going to say hi?!?!?!” I was stunned. I guess I am no longer considered a stalker of his LOL!

Yesterday I slept in. I still wasn’t feeling the greatest, but I didn’t come all this way and make this trip just to stay in. We went to the firefighters union hall (after a friend confirmed it was indoors, not outdoors, thankfully!) when the party started and grabbed tables under an air conditioning vent. I have to admit I was primarily sober, but still had good conversation. 

Considering there’s hardly any parking at M&T bank stadium, it was a good idea we did not rent a car. Megan (AO Houston President) was in Frederick, MD, about an hour outside of Baltimore. She left her family around 11AM and finally showed up at the union hall about 1:40PM. We had seen the traffic build up from the hotel’s executive lounge window, but didn’t realize it had been that bad.

We went into the stadium when the gates opened because we wanted to claim our rightful seats in the front row right behind the goal. We also like to assist with section set-up. It’s a good thing David bought zip-ties because there were none. It was really hot at the beginning of the game. Thankfully the overcast clouds rolled in by halftime, and it rained a bit towards the end of the second half. A box of Ziplock bags has been a lifesaver on this trip, as Ziplock bags can be used as cheap, waterproof cell phone covers.

There were quite a number of drums for the section, which was good, although there was no one with a bass drum and proper bass drum mallets. So, the drums were somewhat muted. There were no capos, so we seemed to be caught in the middle of chants. The people on my right would start a chant, and the people on my left would start a completely different chant. Or, the entire section wouldn’t be together. We definitely needed more than just drums to lead the sections. It was a good turnout though. We won, and that’s all that mattered. 

After the game, we tried to leave as quickly as possible so David could book his flight (had booked everything up to the quarterfinals), but it was very difficult. Of ALL the club and country games I’ve attended, exiting M&T Bank Stadium was the worst. We were literally shoulder to shoulder, shuffling along, and trying to find an open gate. I felt like we were cattle being herded. We passed about five gates before finding an open gate; I don’t understand why almost all of the gates were closed. I told the police officers this was a fire hazard, and they didn’t seem too worried. Imagine USA, El Salvadorians, and Hondurans ALL rubbing shoulders with one another. It was NOT a good situation, and you could definitely tell the stadium’s not used to the soccer crowd. One punch thrown, a gun going off (what can I say, I’m from Texas, I think about this kind of stuff), or a smoke bomb being lit in the crowd, and we would not have survived leaving the stadium. And no, I am not over-dramatizing, as others also tweeted about the horrible situation. 

We made it to the hotel’s executive lounge, grabbed some crab dip and crackers, and booked David’s flight from BWI to Houston for $328 on US Airways (connect through Philly, one of their hubs). That’s not bad considering we booked within 24 hours of departure, and he was able to find a flight that arrived around the same time as me. He’ll hang out with me at my house, and we’ll drive to Arlington, TX on Wednesday (about 4-5 hours from where I live).

We then decided to go for food, and we ran into our gang in the hotel lobby coincidentally. We decided to head to a bar next door to watch the second quarterfinal game. Honduras won, so we’ll be playing them in the semi-final. We had a good time, chanting and having good conversation. I was happy to note the bar wasn’t blasting loud music, which I can’t stand post-game. I don’t know if I’m getting old, but after the game, I just want a decent, quiet meal. 

Today, after leaving my house on July 4^th, I flew back home to Houston for free, thanks to miles. I am very grateful that I am able to do this gold cup tournament thanks to my job. I am a very fortunate lady. Off to Arlington!

USMNT Gold Cup: Hartford, CT

After my last post, I went to the night before party, which was great. Apparently I am popular with the Hartford chapter because of Twitter. A girl from NJ was there, and people kept thinking she was me! She said, "SO many people have come to me to ask if I'm from Houston!" I thought it was funny, especially since I never think of myself as someone that's popular.

The long islands from the first bartender at City Steam were delicious, the pizza hit the spot, and the chapter had a 50/50 raffle. Basically, 50% of the raffle money goes to the chapter, and the other 50% goes to the winner. Not a bad idea! I also met Grant Wahl again, and I met Ives (from Soccer by Ives) for the first time. I met people from Brooklyn, Central Jersey, and Cape Cod (MA).

I will say this chapter did quite well in terms of preparation. Anytime someone posted a question on their Facebook event or tweeted, they responded quickly and efficiently. Kudos to the guys there!

The next day, we slept in and even missed breakfast, oops! We stayed at a Homewood Suites again (just like Salt Lake City), so it was free breakfast, free wifi, and free dinner M-Th. We did have to pay a $16 parking fee/night, but the room was free thanks to using points. Our room had a kitchen, huge living room, and 1.5 bathrooms, which means we had two toilets, yay (the little things matter)!

We decided to do something free, nearby, and easy, so we went to the state capitol. We learned a lot about CT. I didn't know people like Katherine Hepburn came from CT. There is so much history in that state. The Hall of Flags contained flags dating back to the civil war, and it was amazing. I should note we rented a car so we could get around (don't think there's public transportation from the airport). It cost less than $11 for the trip thanks to car rental points.

Afterwards, we did some light grocery shopping. You cannot buy alcohol at WalMart - only a liquor store - so that's something to keep in mind for the future. It's interesting how different states have different laws. In contrast, Californian grocery stores sell hard liquor (along with beer and wine). In Denver, the alcohol percentage differs between a liquor store and grocery store, so it's best to buy from a liquor store. It's always a good idea to know before going to a new state/city, so make sure you ask!

From the liquor store, we headed to the tailgate and primarily hung out with a couple of guys from Brooklyn and a guy from Cape Cod (met in Seattle). It was a good time and a good turnout. The local NBC media interviewed me but primarily asked about the heat and whether or not it affected my decision to wear my scarf. I found this question strange considering I'm from Texas!

The game itself was crazy. We made it a general admission section, and aside from one family who didn't want to be there (was moved by AO national, not security, thank goodness), the atmosphere was electric. Full of drunkards and excited north easterners (who could blame them?!?!), the section was rocking! The capos of AO Hartford did a good job coordinating quickly, and they are certainly to be commended.

The lone drummer was a gal who's a New England Revolution supporter. I forgot her name already (drat!!! she's SOOOOO nice too!!!), but she is an awesome person. I met her when she and her husband came down to Houston for a regular MLS season game. They tailgated with us, and to this day, her husband raves about the local craft beer we serve (St. Arnold's) at the Texian Army tailgates. We had a good time back then, and we had a good time again last night. We looked at each other, did a  double take, and squealed like little school girls when we realized we knew each other. What are the chances that we would meet again and be RIGHT next to each other in a section, supporting the same team? It was a moment that is somewhat indescribable, and a great reason why following footy is classy.

Towards the end of the second half, some random guy (AO Hartford didn't claim him, so I don't think he's part of their chapter) came up to her and said, "You have zero rhythm." I can't even imagine what she was going through. We're hot, we're sweaty, we're dehydrated, we're surrounded by guys who seemingly are going to puke on you at any moment, she's doing a damn good job of drumming, and then this asshole says this. The main capo went after him to tell him off, but the damage was done. She didn't feel like dealing with more assholes, and so she handed me the drumsticks for the second half.

I have to admit I had a blast drumming, and I always do. I feel like I'm really contributing to the section when I do. Music was one of my undergraduate majors, so it's easy for me to adapt to crowds when they suddenly decide to sing another chant in the middle of doing another chant (happens frequently). I like the bass drum because all you have to do is keep time. That sounds like a no-brainer, but it's actually harder than it seems especially when you're in an outdoor setting. Sound travels at different wavelengths, reverberation occurs if you're near a canopy, etc. I think people think that all you have to do is beat the drum, but it really takes a lot of stamina and coordination. Also as a drummer, you kind of end up being a capo. When the main capo understandably becomes tired or runs out of ideas, it's the drummer's job to keep the section going.

Drummers WHO KNOW AO CHANTS (this is KEY!!!) are severely needed at the games. The AO chants are different than most club chants because they often change beats, meter signature, and tempo within the same chant. Frankly I can't stand drummers who drum the Latin beats for the USA games. Not only is it a cop-out in that there is unoriginality, but I am here for the USA, not a Latin country. I am also here for a country game, not club. I have drummed for Dynamo games, and I am very careful not to mix up the two.

My only regret is that for this trip, I should've brought my drumming gloves. I've now drummed 1.5 games so far of this tournament (including the related friendly). I honestly didn't expect to do any drumming, but I suppose it's fallen into my lap. I can't complain though because I enjoy it.

After the game, I checked on the revs girl (really bothers me I can't remember her name-Alice? Alison? Alyssa? ???). She seemed to be ok after taking a break the second half. "Tonight just wasn't the night I wanted to deal with that," and I totally understand as a female. I think Hartford for me was the first time for either club or country when I didn't have some guy (and yes, it is always a male) come up to me and say, "If you get tired, I'll take over," or "You're not doing a good job," or "You suck!" I felt so sorry for the revs girl because she brought the only drum, and to have some guy dis-respect that is quite unnecessary. Nevertheless by the end of the post-game tailgate she seemed fine, which I am glad.

This morning I left on a US airways flight to DC. A one-way ticket only cost $88, which is not bad at all! David took the Amtrak because he loves trains. It costs about the same amount, but the train left at 6:45AM, and my flight left at 11:55AM (no-brainer for me!). We arrived about the same time in DC, which I find funny. We walked around DC for about seven hours (Dupont Circle, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War and World War II memorials, White House, etc), so we're pooped. Have a great night!

USMNT Gold Cup: After Portland thru Salt Lake City

After returning from Portland last week on Wednesday, I went to Minute Clinic in the Pacific Beach area of San Diego. I had what I thought was a severe hives outbreak, but it turns out it was a case of scabies. Gross!!! The outbreak had started the first morning I woke up in San Diego (after Independence Day) and continually had become worse. Even with the best of hygiene, one can get scabies, I learned. Those who travel are more prone to scabies, and there’s nothing you can do to prevent it. I guess I got lucky! Thank goodness for nationwide insurance and doc-in-the-boxes! 

As a result, I have learned while traveling that prescription or over-the-counter medications do not have to be included in the one-Ziplock bag with the rest of your toiletries while going through security at airports. Furthermore, a doctor’s note is not necessarily needed either (though I had the clinic visit summary, just in case). Medications do not have to comply with the three-ounce rule, as the both the scabies cream and calamine lotion are over three ounces. These are things to know while traveling, as you never know what kind of situation you may have. Luckily I brought an extra box of Ziplock bags (great cell phone covers when it rains), although a number of airports will provide them (especially the smaller airports). 

So, in a nutshell, that’s why I currently look like I have leprosy, but the outbreak has subsided as of two days ago, thank goodness. Now I’m in the process of healing the wounds. A nightly bath with epsom salt is helpful, although if you happen to travel with four pounds (that’s all Ralph’s had in San Diego), TSA will search your luggage. They most likely think it’s fertilizer or some kind of bomb contribution. 

On Thursday in San Diego, we went to the zoo. I have never wanted to go to another city’s zoo, except San Diego. I now know why it’s the best in the USA. Not only is there a lot of research, but the layout is vibrant compared to Houston’s zoo. There are lots of steep trails, so get ready for some walking and light hiking! Our $44 ticket also included unlimited bus and aerial cable car rides. It was definitely worth the money!

Friday early morning, we departed for Salt Lake City on Southwest Airlines (SAN-PHX-SLC for $140 one-way). We were a bit early arriving (around noon), and the hotel wouldn’t have a room for us until 1:30PM. This is something to keep in mind when scheduling flights. Hotels, especially on weekends, may not be able to accommodate very early check-ins. Nevertheless, we went grocery shopping and had lunch at a wonderful place called Tony Caputo’s. It’s an intimate, non-corporate (important to me while traveling!) deli. They serve entrees, salads, soups, etc. (all made freshly) and also sell meats and cheeses. I had linguini with clam sauce (came with a salad and bread roll) for less than $10. Most impressive of all, a signed Beckerman USMNT jersey is used as decoration. It’s a welcome sight for those of us who are traveling for the team! Next door is a small bakery, and the bite-size fruit tart did not make it past the cash register because I ate it all. :-)

We checked into the hotel, Homewood Suites downtown. I used points, so it was only $40/night. Homewood Suites isn’t a well-known hotel because there’s typically only one location in a city, if that. They’re one step above Hampton Inns on the Hilton totem pole because you get an entire suite - kitchen, living room, dining area, bedroom, and bathroom. They’re kind of like Marriott’s Residence Inns, but cheaper. Homewood Suites provides free wifi, free breakfast daily, usually free parking, a light free dinner Monday-Thursday evenings, and if state law allows, free beer or wine in the evenings as well. In Memphis, they put out a tub of ice and Budweiser/Bud Light cans, and you just drink whatever you want. In Jacksonville, they put out 3-4 bottles of wine, and you just pour and help yourself. Works for me! 

I should note we rented a car from Hertz. I used points so the base price was free, but the taxes and surcharges were about $60 for about three days. That’s not bad! I was upgraded to a Ford Edge (SUV), which I really liked. The vehicle came with all the bells and whistles (completely touch-screen). In fact, there was no auxillary hole, so I had to use Bluetooth the entire time. The only downside is that the average miles per gallon is less than 22. I get 35 MPG on average in my Toyota Corolla.

The night before party was at Bourbon House, a familiar bar since we were in Salt Lake City last month for the world cup qualifier. I have to admit it was pretty dull for a Friday night. There were only about two tables of the American Outlaws (AOs) Salt Lake City chapter, and I think we were the only two out-of-towners (aside from two people from AO national). I introduced myself to Grant Wahl, as I have been tweeting him quite a bit, and he’s a really nice, down-to-earth guy. He’s very easy to talk to, and we found out Salt Lake was his 88^th cap. He also has a sister-in-law from Houston, so we found some common ground. We left after the Gold Cup game ended.

Saturday morning we woke up to go to the tailgate, which began around 10:30AM. It’s probably the best morning tailgate I’ve ever attended. There was a full roasted pig, breakfast tacos, a hash brown kind of casserole made with cream of chicken soup (must find recipe!), mimosas, and much more! There weren’t many people, but still had a good time.

We went into the section when the gates opened for section set up. It should be noted for Gold Cup, CONCACAF really makes things difficult for us by not noting general admission on the ticket. So, everyone had to be in their assigned seats. As a result, this also meant we didn’t have a dedicated section of American Outlaws and were mixed in with normal people. We were all in the endline sections, but the bottom three sections maybe had 1-3 rows of AOs each. My tickets, along with some others, were in the upper center section behind the goal, which was a great view! We could really see the field!

During the second half, an AO Salt Lake City member came over to us to accuse us of not supporting the single row of AOs in one of the lower sections. I should note at this point, the two AO national leaders had moved to the front row to join us, and they unfortunately were the victims of her wrath. They were at the end of the row, and I was in the middle. I could hear her bitching from the center of the row, and she continued to bitch for about 10 minutes, which was highly unattractive and detracted from the game. 

There is absolutely nothing we can do when we can’t hear the lower sections, and we’re all split amongst newbies. There is absolutely nothing we can do when the chapter doesn’t have a drum or capos. There is absolutely nothing we can do when chant sheets aren’t passed out or taped to the chairs to incorporate the normal US fans. I tweeted last week and asked AO Salt Lake City if they had a spare bass drum/mallets I could use, and there was no response. It was the same scenario as the world cup qualifier, so I don’t understand why this female was throwing a hissy fit. If the chapter chooses or doesn’t have the resources to provide a drum/capo, then so be it, but don’t bitch about it to AO national. There’s nothing that can be done about it during the game.

Anyway, after winning the game against Cuba, we went back to Bourbon House to meet Chris and Dale. It finally felt like a proper AO event. Chris the previous night had spent decided to spend the night in the mountains, and Dale flew in on game day. Both are AO NYC chapter members, but it should be noted Chris is from Alaska, and Dale is from Phoenix (switched chapter memberships this month due to moving). Along with David (AO San Diego president), we’re the only four American Outlaws to attend ALL USMNT Gold Cup games, which is quite a feat! Somehow someone came up with the idea of us being the four horsemen, and so each one of us is Conquest, Death, Famine, and War. We had a great time, lured some strangers onto the couches with us, and cheered on Real Salt Lake (RSL), as they were playing Dallas (yay for beating Dallas!). It was a fun time, and there were quite a bit of lively RSL supporters and fans there as well. What a change from the previous night!

Yesterday we decided to visit Temple Square. We quickly learned almost everything closes on Sundays, including the Salt Lake Temple in the square (was surprised!). Macy’s, Ann Taylor, H&M, etc. were all closed! Since I had never been, we went to the Great Salt Lake. It was QUITE smelly at the marina, and I don’t know why people would even want to swim there. However, we did find an off-road (thanks to seeing another car drive), and we decided to follow. Thank goodness I had a SUV! It was worth it though, as the off-roading part of the lake was not as smelly, prettier, and the waves were calmer. The lake’s a great place to surf kayak, if you have your own kayak.

It’s interesting how there is nothing built around the lake (at least, the portion where we were), and we learned why. We stopped at a souvenir store, and the shopkeeper gave us a quick history of the lake. There used to be a MASSIVE complex next to the lake before it burned in 1925. Later, it was re-built, abandoned, squatted, and then burned down in the 1960s. Since then, nothing has been successful, e.g. a go-cart facility. There’s a myth that there’s a Salt Lake curse, so businesses are unwilling to build. Right now the biggest thing is the Saltair Pavillion, where weekly concerts are held. When I saw the huge room and stage, I immediately thought of dubstepping (my favorite kind of clubbing music). The shopkeeper confirmed big named artists, such as DeadMau5, have performed there, which is awesome. [Disclaimer: This history bit is from memory; go Wiki it if you really want. =P]

Last night we went to Chanon Thai, which was pretty good and family-owned. Grandma was taking a break and walking the baby when we left, so you know the food is legit. You’ll need to drive there from downtown (bit of a far walk, for me at least, lol), but at least it’s open on Sunday nights. We had tom yum soup (one of my favorites), egg rolls, chicken pad Thai, and green beef curry. For those unfamiliar with Thai food, the last two items are hallmarks of the cuisine. If the pad Thai or the green curry is not good, then it is not a good Thai place.

I should note of all cities, Salt Lake City has had the most amount of commoners (as I call them lol) discuss soccer with us. We went to dinner at a Belgian place on Friday night that serves lamb sausage and the best french fries in Utah (Bruges Waffles & Frites). The guy at first thought we were representing Chicago Fire and said he “would’ve thrown you out” (LOL!!!), but on second thought realized RSL didn’t have a game that night. We had a lively 20-minute discussion, and it was good. On Saturday, during our walk to Bourbon House, we were stopped by a police officer who also wished to discuss soccer. We learned the SLC police were at the Cuban hotel babysitting, in case a Cuban defected. I am not sure what the legalities are (because if you’re asking for asylum, don’t Americans have to oblige?), but it was interesting. We probably talked for about 20-30 minutes. It’s nice to visit a city who is educated about soccer.

This morning David and I split because Southwest Airlines was cheaper for him from Salt Lake City to Hartfort, CT (connect through Baltimore-BWI) versus United. I used 25,000 miles today to fly into BDL, which was nice. One of the perks of traveling SO MUCH for work is keeping all my car rental points, hotel rewards, and airline miles.

So, I am off to join AO Hartford at their night before party. I am really looking forward to it, as the chapter as done an EXCELLENT job of tweeting/Facebooking information and (most important) replying! Ciao for now!

USMNT Gold Cup: Portland

Since my last post, I had a terrible experience with Virgin America on Monday night. I was all set and packed, ready to go, when I received a WorldMate flight delay notification. I was flying from SAN-SFO-PDX. My SAN-SFO flight was delayed over an hour so that I'd miss my SFO-PDX flight. I called Virgin America, and it turns out there is only one daily flight from SFO-PDX. The airline refused to book on another airline or provide a hotel in SFO for the night, so the only choice was to re-book the next day (on game day).

I mulled over this for an hour and thought, "What if I don't make it on game day either?" Then I'd be REALLY screwed. Furthermore, arriving on game day meant a 5PM arrival time into Portland, which was cutting it close to kickoff. I decided right then and there to book a Southwest Airlines flight from SAN-LAS-PDX, which meant I departed SAN around 5PM and arrived in PDX around 10PM. Booking a new flight cost an extra $236, which isn't bad considering I booked the flight four hours prior to departure.  In hindsight, I'm glad I did it because I would've been even more stressed leaving on game day. I have learned my lesson and WILL NEVER book Virgin America again, especially since they refused to give a refund. They blamed the delay on the Asiana Airlines accident, but if that was the case, why wasn't my SFO-PDX flight delayed too?

Changing flights suddenly involves more than just the flights. I had to book a new shuttle from Pacific Beach to the airport, and I had to figure out how to get from PDX to the hotel. Originally I had planned to take public transportation in Portland, but being a single female, it's generally unsafe to use public transportation that late at night. So, I booked a Hertz rental car. I thought it would cost me $45 (thanks to rental car points) according to the preliminary figure given online. Upon checkout, the rental car cost less than $4 from Monday night to Wednesday morning! What a steal!

I missed the official night before party in Portland because the bar closed at 11PM (early!!!), and Hertz unfortunately took an hour to get a car when I arrived at the airport (obviously overbooked). I made it to the after-party at Kells Irish Pub, but the bar had stopped serving. Someone suggested going to a strip club called Mary's, and desperate for at least one drink, I agreed. It was the smallest strip club I've ever been in with the most bored stripper ever. I noticed even the guys were just on their phones or talking to each other, not paying attention to her. I downed my long island, and we left. That was my participation in the night before activities in Portland.

We weren't sure about the parking situation at the stadium, so we decided to take public transportation the next day. The Doubletree hotel downtown ($65/night & 32,000 points) was RIGHT next to the train station, which was very convenient! Since the game was fairly late, we decided to explore Chinatown. WORST idea ever! I've decided Portland Chinese people are not ambitious at all, as all the restaurants were closed on a Tuesday late morning/near lunch time. I didn't see any bakeries or grocery stores. There was a homeless tent city RIGHT next to the Chinatown gate, which was awful. I am not sure why homeless people set up in Chinatown though, since Chinese people tend to be unsympathetic to the homeless. If you want to see the ghetto of Portland, go to Chinatown. I would rather run away next time!

The game day bar in Portland was the Cheerful Bullpen. I liked the set up because the back patio was underneath HUGE trees! I tried a Stella Hard Cider for the first time, and it was pretty good. Unfortunately, the bar only had about 6 of them and sold out quickly. Hard cider by a local brewery was on tap, but it wasn't as good. Oh well.

Being seasoned travelers, the only other people we initially recognized was from AO national. Gold Cup games tend to have more local people versus world cup qualifiers. Later, Chris from Alaska showed, as well as some AO Phoenix members. It was good seeing a few familiar faces.

We went into the stadium when the gates open. We chose the seats that would get the shade first (smart thinking on Chris' part). The first game (Cuba versus Costa Rica) was nothing to write home about. Our game, was interesting, as we creamed Belize by 5 goals. The section was loud and rocking, but my biggest criticism is that we pretty much did all Timbers Army chants. We did two capo-led American Outlaws chants in the first half, and two in the second half. Any other chants that were done were started by people in the section because we were there for the USA/American Outlaws, not Timbers FC.

Timbers Army gets away with a LOT of stuff, more than other supporters groups in MLS, and I am not sure why. They have a great relationship with their front office, so they let off smoke bombs galore, but MLS never seems to come down on them. For example, "Let's go fucking mental!" is a standard chant for Timbers Army, but Real Salt Lake isn't allowed to say, "You suck asshole!" It irks me very much that MLS has a double standard. Either make demands on EVERY team in the league or none at all. It is quite unfair for MLS to single out one team, in my opinion.

Anyway, back to the game. Post-game, David and I have started a tradition of going to a restaurant for a solid meal. Although we like the bar scene, often returning to the night before party bar has become a bit repetitive. That, and post-game, we really want a good meal (which most bars cannot provide). I found a restaurant along the train called Luc Lac Restaurant, and it was delicious. I highly recommend the spot, which also has a full bar.

The next day was uneventful, as we headed back to San Diego. I am not used to flying Southwest Airlines (decided to take the same flights as David, since it's easier), but I can see why people like them. They're pretty much on time, boards and takes off quickly, and provides friendly service. My biggest issue is that you have to board with your boarding group to get a good seat (since unassigned), and for work, I am sometimes barely making it to a flight.

So, that's Portland...I'll write about Salt Lake City tomorrow!

USMNT: Seattle, Salt Lake, & San Diego

When I last wrote, it was all about Dynamo, but after the Columbus game, I've been focusing on USMNT. I'm very fortunate that I can follow both!

I have to admit I had a hard time enjoying myself in Seattle for the main reason that my luggage was lost. It was also a point in my travels (leisure and work) where I was wearing out. To give you an idea of my travels that week alone, I flew: Houston-Miami-Houston (2hr layover)-Seattle-Pittsburgh-Jacksonville-Houston. When I was in Miami, I decided to check my bags all the way through to Seattle so that I wouldn't have to collect my bags and re-check back in during the 2-hour layover. BAD IDEA. My Miami flight was an American Airlines flight, and my Houston flight was a United flight. Although American Airlines tagged the bag correctly, the bag did not get transferred in Houston. I had to find a new Adidas outfit ($20 cab ride to the university area from downtown, spent $130 on a new outfit) during the game day party once I learned I was not going to receive my luggage. I arrived at the hotel post-game, and the front desk said, "Hey, by the way, your luggage is here!" It's a good thing I had warned them because I didn't receive a call from anyone stating it had been delivered! It was nice to have luggage less than 12 hours before departing the next day!

The set up for Seattle was pretty intense, and Shawn (the AO president of their chapter) did an outstanding job with organization. The night before party was held at Golazo headquarters, which is basically a warehouse. There were video games, basketball hoops, a photo station, and bartenders. I arrived after midnight, so I was pretty tired, but I made it! Afterwards, I used Yelp (a godsend - download the app if you don't have it!) to find a pizza place. We entered a pizza bar with about 20 people. I'm sure the bar was overwhelmed, but pizza hit the spot. I should also note another useful app while traveling is Taxi Magic, which I used in Seattle. You can order a cab at a particular time, utilize a GPS tracking feature, and pay via the app or cash.

As for the game itself, it was also highly organized. There were capos equipped with microphones and speakers, so the sections were cohesive. My only two complaints are that the capos weren't that familiar with American Outlaws chants, and there were too many club chants done. I am a firm, strong believer in separation of club and country. American Outlaws has enough chants that you don't have to do club chants. "Dale dale dale USA" irks me to say the least because I will sing it Dynamo style. A guy behind me was singing it LA style. I also don't like the use of Spanish chants for the USA, even if they've been adapted into English. Maybe that's just me, but I think the English language has enough lyrics and songs on its own that we shouldn't have to rely on other countries' languages and songs.

For a hotel in Seattle, we were lucky. I had a voucher for one free night at any Best Western, so we stayed at the Best Western Pioneer Square, only a few blocks from the game day party and Occidental Park (where the march started). The AAA rate for rooms were $200/night, but this is typical of Seattle downtown. Even when I visit for work, I'm constantly having to justify why the hotel room rate is so high. The American Outlaws room rate was $175/night at the Roosevelt hotel. From the airport to hotel and vice versa, I cabbed it; it's a $40 flat rate from downtown hotels to the airport. Cheaper options include a shuttle or public transportation if you prefer.

From Seattle, the next World Cup qualifier was in Salt Lake City. I chose the Doubletree hotel downtown, as it was only $10 more per night than the Hampton Inn room block I set up (more bonus points are given when staying at Doubletrees). The Doubletree is nice in that it used to be an Embassy Suites (free breakfast/wifi/parking) and has a free shuttle to/from airport & within downtown. They'll also pick you up whenever you need, so they picked me up at Bourbon House after I was done at the night before party. By the way, if you're looking for Bourbon House, they're located in the basement of a building right next to the FedEx office. On game day, they had $3 tacos, which were pretty tasty.

On game day, we were awake at a decent time, so I suggested we head to the conference center. During my flight into Salt Lake, some locals recommended going there because the rooftop has a garden and gives a good view of the city. So, we went. We entered the conference center, and an elderly lady approached us. I asked about the roof, and she began talking to us. We followed her, thinking she was just going to escort us to the roof, and realized she was giving us a tour. We had no clue! So, for about 1.5 hours, we took a free, educated tour of the conference center, which was awesome! The tour included the auditorium where the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings every Christmas - it was huge! So, if you're in Salt Lake City and looking for something relatively quick and easy to do, go to the conference center (no appointment needed).

Afterwards, we walked through Temple Square and went back to Bourbon House. We hung out with friends and took public transportation to the stadium (about 30+ minutes from downtown and ~20 minutes walk to the tailgate). TRAX is the name of Salt Lake City's transportation system. It cost $15 for four people to ride all day, which isn't bad. Once you get off of the light rail, there are gas stations on the way to the tailgate if you need supplies. Thankfully we were with someone from Salt Lake City because we would've never found the tailgate. It's actually down a dirt road with some gravel, next to an Asian supermarket (think it's called Ocean City). Lots aren't numbered, so it was tricky for those who drove. We tailgated RIGHT next to Hondurans, and given the heat, I felt like we were in Honduras.

The game itself was messy. We ended up winning, but the team didn't seem cohesive to me. If we continue to play like we did in Salt Lake, we won't make it to the World Cup. Passing seemed to be difficult. There were seemingly communication barriers amongst teammates. It was a complete 180 turnaround from the Seattle game. In Seattle, I felt like we had it together, and we played well. In Salt Lake, I did not feel like that at all, despite the win.

The American Outlaws sections in Salt Lake City were a failure. There were no drummers from Salt Lake City. All we had were two travelers with drums, so their drums were small. They were also to the side of the section, so there's no way another section could hear the drums. I tweeted to the chapter last week to ask if they've an extra bass drum and mallets; no reply has been received. I realize Salt Lake City as a chapter has had to recently rebuild, but I am still quite appalled at the fact we had no drums.

Some people in the American Outlaws section complained that we were chanting. A guy who was a season ticket holder for club games (and said "I've been an American Outlaws member for a long time") insisted on having HIS seat for the WCQ and then brought another 6-7 of his buddies to crowd the row during the second half of the game. Based on this, I've decide I don't like Salt Lake City season ticket holders. A country game is different than a club game-it's why we have different seats for different events. If you're late to a general admission section, that's your fault. Unfortunately, there was nothing we could do since they weren't starting fights, but having about 10 obnoxious guys standing RIGHT behind you does not make for a pleasant experience. Obviously chapter members weren't told to be good hosts. We have to return next week, and frankly, I am not looking forward to it. Hands down, Salt Lake City has been my worst section experience ever, and I've only missed 3 USMNT domestic games since last year.

This month so far I've attended the San Diego friendly, which was last week. I arrived on the morning of Independence Day, thanks to a free United flight. To get from the airport to Pacific Beach is $18 round trip, which is a steal. A cab would've cost $30 each way. I managed to attend training, and it was one of the best trainings I've attended in a while. The team really worked on set pieces, corner kicks, free kicks, etc. We happened to be on the endline where everything was happening. I ran into Stu Holden afterwards, and we took a goofy picture together, which landed on ASN. I couldn't figure out how to work my self-shot camera option, so I kept turning the camera, and Stu kept turning his head to match the camera. I regret not snapping a photo quickly enough when we were both sticking out our tongues!

Given the San Diego chapter had less than a month's notice to put together everything, I'd say they did a good job. The night before party was intimate, as it was Independence Day, but it was good to finally meet people, as I'm close with the AO San Diego president (David). The tailgate was awesome, with LOTS of canopies - probably the most canopies I've ever seen clumped together at a AO tailgate. [Kansas City had a huge tent, roped into the gravel lot last year.] David's dad has an RV, thankfully, as there weren't port-a-potties nearby. Since the air conditioning was running, it was also an escape from the heat.

I went into the section right when the gates open to guard the drums, as being a bass drummer was my role. It turned out LA lost a drummer, so I volunteered to drum and ended up being the only bass drummer who drummed the full 90. I realize in the beginning it sounded messy, but trying to coordinator all four sections (especially in a NFL stadium) is harder than it looks. I ensured the main capo stayed near me, which helped. I watched the replay of the game, and it's amazing how much you can hear the drums, especially since I didn't see a suspended mic or mic attached to the railing.

San Diego hasn't had a USMNT game in decades, and this was evident. When I first got into the section, I worked on bandaging my hands, making sure the drumsticks/mallets were in place, etc. I was constantly asked what "GA" meant on the ticket, and I also had to explain to security what it meant. I found it amusing. San Diego has one of our largest chapters, with over 300 members, but the poor chapter can't get a game. Attendance was about 25,000, not bad for a non-MLS market and little notice.

I'm still in San Diego because luckily when the rumor was announced in May that San Diego would have a friendly, I hadn't booked my Portland flights. It made sense to go from San Diego to Portland instead of going home to Houston. My ticket on Virgin America (only flown once, but great experience) from San Diego to Portland was only $112.  My ticket from Portland back to San Diego on Southwest was much higher (about $200 I think), but I wanted to make sure I'm on the same flights as David. So, that's been the last three USMNT games so far. I'm off to Portland today!

Dynamo: LA, KC, & Columbus

Wow, it has been quite a while since I've updated this blog. I apologize, as with all my work travels, my life has been crazy. To give you an idea, I was last in the office on 29Apr2013, and I didn't return to the office until 24Jun2013! I was pretty much on daily travel, including weekends and away Dynamo games!

The match against LA the first Saturday in May was good. We had about 30 people in our Dynamo away section. It should be noted that since this was a MLS regular season game, our section was pretty chill. For example, we sat the whole time because there were people behind us. One of my friends noted the atmosphere was quite different, as it was her first time at a non-playoff game. It started sprinkling during the game, and I've never seen a crowd leave so quickly, as if they'd melt. I'd definitely consider LA full of fair weather fans. I should also mention Angel City Brigade, a few sections over, allowed us to tailgate with them; we also tend to sing similar chants.

I should note the night before the game we decided to go to Laguna Beach. We met with the American Outlaws national Chapter Chairman/Travel Manager, Brian. We went to Club Bounce and had a good time. Laguna Beach is about an hour with no traffic from Torrance, CA (where the stadium is located), so I can see why he doesn't attend LA MLS games. We also hopped around the strip, and it was a good time. It was a bit chilly, and one of the restaurants gave us blankets while on the rooftop. The view was spectacular.

Logistically, this trip was cheap for me. Work paid for my flights and rental car (since I had to be in Torrance for work the Friday before the game anyway, then Sacramento the following Tuesday). I used hotel points at the Hampton Inn off of Albertoni street. It's not the Ritz Carlton, but it's a cheap hotel (12,500 points/night vs. the usual 25,000) that is RIGHT off of the freeway. I have learned that this is a must, especially in LA when you're constantly driving. Some friends were staying at the Marriott Torrance (where the team stayed), but the Marriott was about 20 minutes from the freeway. LA sprawls, so it's best to minimize the amount of driving time when possible by staying closer to the freeway. I've always had great service at this Hampton Inn (stayed three times now) despite the fact it's run by Asians. There's free breakfast, wi-fi, and parking.

Within the same month, I went to Kansas City during Memorial Weekend for the Dynamo game. This time I road-tripped it with KH & MF. It's about a 12-hour drive (including stops). We rode in MF's SUV, and we probably filled up for gas about 3 times during the trip. Each tank cost about $40-$50, but it's still cheaper than flying if you consider the aggregate total we would've spent on flights. The most memorable part of the drive was driving through Moore, OK where the tornados had recently hit. The amount of destruction can't be explained well using words. It was strange that an entire subdivision was demolished, but a subdivision next door was fine. It's definitely a sight you won't forget.

We stayed at the Best Western - Kansas City Inn for a total of $210.44 for two nights. I had reserved the room back in January when the MLS schedule was first released. I think others may have paid more as the date approached. We had stayed at this Best Western last year, and they provided shuttle service to the power and light district. This year, they did not provide shuttle service due to new management. Therefore, I no longer recommend staying at this hotel.

Saturday night (before game day) we hung out with a few Cauldron people at Johnny's Tavern (also the American Outlaws KC chapter's bar). If you've never been to Johnny's, you should go. Service and prices are decent. It's also located in a courtyard of bars called "KC Live," which is a great setup. The courtyard, surrounded by bars, has couches, a fountain, and a big screen tv. It's where events are shown, e.g. the World Cup or NCAA final four tournament. There is no cover past 8pm or 9pm. Often, if you enter the front door of Johnny's (no cover), you can exit through the back, get your hand stamped, and enter the courtyard. You can also bring your drink from bar to bar, as long as it's not in a glass container. [Johnny's will provide plastic cups upon exit.]

I have to admit the game isn't very memorable to me because I was drumming. Whenever I drum for the games, I don't really get to watch. I was the only drummer (had a bass drum). Logistically, things went smoothly. It's funny how security gently shook the drum to ensure I wasn't sneaking anything in. Frankly, I wouldn't have even thought of opening the drum to put contraband!

After the game, we went to the members bar, which is very cool. It is the one thing I wish BBVA Compass Stadium has, but that's okay because we have air conditioned bathrooms (a must in Houston!). Apparently during games, prices at the members bar in Sporting KC's stadium are very cheap. I've heard you can get $3 hamburgers, etc., but I can promise you the hard liquor drinks are very pricey! From the members bar, we went to Johnny's again, and had a good time. The drive back from KC was nothing memorable, which in some ways is a blessing, considering last year's fiasco.

Within the same week, I followed the Dynamo to Columbus on 01Jun2013. Since I had to be in Columbus for work the following Monday, I might as well go to the game! Columbus has been the hardest stadium to obtain a ticket, in my opinion. I had my eye on Columbus for a few months prior to the game. You can't buy a single game ticket online, and when you use the automated system, you get re-directed to a ticket master agent who won't know anything about the stadium. I lied through the automated prompts, finally got someone who works for Crew, and he was able to give me a great seat for less than $30 - four rows up from the field, right next to where the Dynamo warm up. Emailing does not work, as there is no general email address for ticket sales; individual reps' email addresses are listed online. So, you have to call.

Since I went solo, I was surrounded by Crew fans (not supporters) who were mostly families, so I didn't have any trouble. There were a handful of Dynamo guys one section over, but I didn't know who they were. We tied the game, and we were both lucky. Crew had lost their greatest player due to injury; the Dynamo only had 2-3 of their usual starters due to injury. It's just that time in the season when players' bodies are wearing out, understandably.

The next morning I went to the reserves game. We won 1-0. For the most part, I stood at the top, hiding in the shade (I'm a wuss, what can I say), but for the last 15 minutes, I managed to gather some courage and sit with the Dynamo players. I'm typically not a shy person, but I always am around players because I don't want to invade their personal space. I'm glad I went.

From the reserves game, I went to the Fourth Street Bar & Grill to watch the USMNT vs Germany friendly in DC with fellow American Outlaws. Oddly, the bar was not packed at all, and I was surprised. I was there last year during the Jamaican WCQ, so I've been shoulder to shoulder there. I still had a good time. I've learned whenever you buy beer for people, people greet you with open arms.

Columbus was cheap for me because I'd just flown from Evansville, IN. It was $600 cheaper for me to flying directly from IN (including another night's hotel and car rental) versus going home from IN and flying back up to OH. I stayed at a Hilton Garden Inn near OSU. It was my first time staying in this area (have stayed downtown, near the airport, and who knows where else), and I liked it. The service was great, and there was coin laundry (a must for me, as I had been on the road for a while). The OSU area is a great, cheaper alternative to staying downtown. It's only about 10 minutes from the stadium and about 10 minutes from the AO bar. It's also easier to run errands, e.g. grocery shop or go to the liquor store, versus downtown because you don't have to worry about street or paid parking.

So, those are the last three Dynamo away games I've been to. I will write about the June USMNT home WCQs next!