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!
No comments:
Post a Comment