Chicago Fire – Columbus Crew (20-09-2009)

One day after Notre Dame barely managed a victory against Michigan State, it was team for a game of the real football. So, together with my Brazilian colleague A. we set off for Chicago, roughly a 150 km drive. Unfortunately, we forgot that Illinois is one hour behind Indiana, so we arrived more than 1.5 hour before kick-off. We paid a disgraceful $15 (ca. €10) to park in front of the stadium – there are very few alternatives around – and walked in between some of the tailgaters to the ticket office. We bought tickets for $35 (ca. €25) each, which gave us a covered seat on the long side of the stadium.

Toyota Park is in Bridgeview, a suburb of Chicago, and is home to Chicago Fire, Chicago Red Star (professional women soccer), and Chicago Machine (professional lacrosse) and is also used for concerts. This typical American soccer stadium opened in 2006 and has a capacity of 20.000. Unfortunately, Chicago Fire never fills the stadium; its record attendance was a 94.1% capacity!

Today’s game was between the number 1 (Chicago Fire) and the MLS champion and number 2 (Columbus Crew) of the Eastern Division. Yet even for this game only some 7,500 showed up at the stadium; even though the website reported an official attendance of 16,549. Prominently among them Section 8, the hardcore home fans, and friends of the Timbers Army. There were also some 50 away fans, most of whom had made the roughly 600 km trip from Columbus, Ohio, in a supporter bus. Respect!

The crowd was classic for MLS games: many kids, youth soccer teams, and Hispanics. Most of the people would wear some type of Chicago Fire merchandise. Also typical, the game starts 6 minutes late – I have no clue why virtually all professional soccer games in the US start a couple minutes late.

The game started pretty well: after 3 minutes the Crew have to save a ball from the goal line, while two minutes later the Fire finish a good attack over the right with a great volley on the rebound: 1-0. A couple of minutes later Crew defender Pedula makes a nasty foul on Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Mexican international and star of the Fire; he gets away with yellow, but should have been sent off.

Much of the first half the pace is pretty decent and the Fire dominates the game. C. Blanco combines smart passes with useless tricks, which were unfortunately much appreciated by the Hispanic part of the audience. The game flows well back and forth, providing chances to both teams every three minutes or so. However, most chances are finished weakly; the few good finishes are saved. There is one exception, in the 34^th minutes, when poor defense of the Crew is punished by a hard shot in the corner: 2-0 (the second for Lowey). Just before the break McBride gets a great chance to make it 3-0, but tries to shoot where he should have headed. Half time score: 2-0 for the Fire!

After some good half time entertainment, notably the game between the local sports mascots, we get ready for the second half. Already in the 49^th minute the Fire gets alone in front of the goalie, but miss. Six minutes later the Crew is more accurate, finishing a great pass from the left with an easy header from 3 meters: 2-1. The game now starts to deteriorate, with the pace dropping significantly, but the home fans have some entertainment with flags to keep us busy.

The Fire creates two good chances in the next 10 minutes, but again fails to score. As so often, this is punished. In the 77^th minute the Crew gets a penalty after dangerous play by both players. Although undeserved, they do take the gift: 2-2.

In the last 15 minutes the Crew were the better team. The Fire were holding on, supported by an ever louder Section 8 (despite the rain). Despite some chances on both sides, the final score remains 2-2. A well-deserved draw for both teams.

To be honest, I was a bit disappointed by my visit to Chicago Fire, the closest MLS team to my home. The stadium doesn’t have much atmosphere and everything about it is expensive. The team has a decent level, but faltered in the second half. In contrast, Section 8 was silent during most of the game, yet came alive under the worst circumstances: heavy rain and a Fire team on its last feet. Then again, as friends of the Timbers Army, I’ll have to give them another chance to impress!

Notre Dame – Michigan State (19-09-2009)

After missing the opening game against Nevada because of a conference out of town, it was finally time for my first Fighting Irish home game. For those who have never heard of American football; first, the Fighting Irish are the sports teams notably the football team, of the University of Notre Dame, where I work this academic year, one of the most famous football schools in the US – even though their heydays are already more than 20 years ago. Second, college football is huge… and when I say huge, I mean H-U-G-E!

For every home game of the Fighting Irish, which is roughly 6-7 per season, around 200.000 (!) people descend upon the university campus. Mind you, the stadium hold ‘only’ 80.000. The rest come just to experience the atmosphere, which includes tailgating; i.e. putting a grill in front of your truck and having burgers etc. with your friend on the parking lot. Weird? Yes! But also fun. Not impressive enough? The game I attended was sold out… which made it the 207^th sell out in a row… in other words, all home games of the Fighting Irish have been sold out since 1973!!! And sold out means, just to remind you, 80,795 people (at a university of just 11.733 and in a town of just over 100,000).

Most of the people are alumni of the university, who come from all over the US to rekindle their college experience. All over campus students sell foods, while the Notre Dame Bookstore sells for more than $1.000.000 in that weekend alone! Add to that the revenue from the tickets and from the tv right, all home games of Notre Dame are live on a major national network (NBC mostly), and you will understand how the Football team brings some $25.0000.000 per year to the university budget!

In August I bought two season tickets at $770 for 7 games, which includes a 20% discount ($55 per ticket). This is one of the privileges of being an employee of the university. In fact, this privilege used to be presented as a plus when offering jobs to faculty, who were allowed to sell them with huge profits. This is no longer allowed and those who are caught will loose their ticket privileges for 5 years. As you can see above, our tickets are different and, to be honest, uglier than those for the regular public (who buy tickets through a tombola).

Roughly 10 minutes before kick-off (15.30), M and I take our places behind one of the goals. On the pitch is the Notre Dame band, the biggest university band in the US, which plays everything from Beyonce to Notre Dame’s famous Victory March. Before the game starts, we do not only get the obligatory national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, but also the equally patriotic “America the Beautiful” – both are sung by large parts of the audience. After that, it was time for the game. However, before the Fighting Irish start their game, they come to the crowd and get down on one knee for them. Respect!

As said before, the stadium was sold out. Opposite to us, in a corner next to the other goal, was the section of the Notre Dame students. Virtually all students will go to each home game and will wear “the shirt” – each year the University of Notre Dame makes a new, unique shirt for the season. This year the shirt is gold (one of the two school colors). After any score of the Fighting Irish, you will see students push up other students (once for each point scored so far).

There were also a remarkable number of away fans; I estimated some 2.000 white-green fans at least. True, East Lansing, home to Michigan State University, is ‘only’ 250 km northeast, but it is not very common that thousands of fans will travel with their team. I guess they were attracted by the fact that the Spartans won the last 6 away games at Notre Dame. And with both teams losing last game, they looked for a seventh.

The weather was perfect for a game. It was roughly 24 C with the sun at our back. Around us where locals and alumni, all of them with much more knowledge of the game then me. Most fans were tense and skeptical, after several poor seasons under coach Charlie Weiss and last weeks last-minute defeat against Michigan still fresh in their heads. Moreover, many were convinced that last weeks defeat was the result of biased refereeing; Notre Dame plays many teams of the Big Ten (including Michigan and Michigan State), but is itself one of only three non-divisional college teams. Hence, fans feel that Big Ten referees discriminate against them. And, to be fair, there were some very dodgy calls against both Michigan and Michigan State!

The game started very well for the Irish. After the first period, which consists of 15 minutes pure play which is stretched over almost an hour, the Irish were up 13-3. The second period went terrible, however: 3-14 for the Spartans. Most depressing, however, was a clear touchdown of the Irish, at the end of the period, and therefore the first half, which was ruled out. Not just no six points, which according to replays on tv were deserved, but the key receiver injured himself and will be out for the season. Half time: 16-17. :-(

After entertainment from both school’s bands, the MSU band played songs from Bruce Springsteen (although that was almost impossible to hear), the third period started around 17.45 (more than two hours after kick-off!). The Irish were able to grab the initiative again, but played extremely careful. Quarterback Jimmy Clausen threw almost no ball and it took them ages to get the 10 yards down. Still, after the third period we were 26-23 up; much less than we deserved.

The fourth period was going to be a tight one. With just over 10n minutes to go, the Spartans scored their touchdown and conversion: 26-30. Five minutes later, Notre Dame scored a touchdown and conversion: 33-30… but the ball with the Spartans. Slowly but steadily they advance to the endzone… letting the time tick away, so that if they score the touchdown, Notre Dame won’t have time to come back. With less than a minute to go, and less than 10 yards for MSU, the Spartans quarterback throws and… an Irish defender intercepts! Game over and everyone goes crazy. Not a great game for either team, but enough to keep hopes alive and Charlie Weiss in the coaching seat.

Football at Notre Dame is a special experience. The stadium is a huge, concrete arena filled with passionate fans. Mind you, with a capacity of just over 80.000, it is not even in the top 10 of college football stadiums! However, the descending of some 200.000 people upon the campus is unique. I can’t wait for the next games!

Pittsburgh Riverhounds – Charlotte Eagles (08-08-2009)

On my way back from New York to Indiana, I stopped in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, famous for (at least) two things: steel and sports. Currently, the Steel City hosts two ‘world champions’: the Pittsburgh Steelers, winners of the XLIII Super Bowl, and the Pittsburgh Penguins, winners of the 2009 Stanley Cup. However, I came for a little-known team, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, who compete in the USL2 (Third Division).

The Riverhounds play in the stadium of the (huge) Chartiers Valley High School in the Bridgeville suburb of Pittsburgh. Normally home to the school’s American Football team, the Colts, the stadium holds 4,600 people. I buy a general admission ticket for $9 – as it is Ladies Night, women enter for $4. Officially, 853 people turn up this evening; I estimate some 25 away supporters, divided into four families. Whether they have made the 450 mile (720 km) trip for this game, or are local, I don’t know.

The game starts thunderous: after 24 seconds a Riverhounds player comes alone at the Eagles goalie and, although shooting poorly, scores: 1-0! Probably the quickest goal I have ever seen. After that quick goal the game moves quickly back and forth. In the 6^th minute the visitors attack over right and finish well: 1-1. Not much later, it would become even worse for the hosts. In the 13^th minute the Eagles have a sneaky free kick which is met with a strong header: 1-2! Three goals in under fifteen minutes, amazing! Obviously, the fans around me are stunned and pissed off.

The level of play is quite decent, in part because of the astro turf, which makes controlling the ball and setting up combinations much easier. I particularly enjoy the number 21 of the Charlotte Eagles, Toby, a short black player with fantastic technique. But there is much else to see, as the chances keep coming up on both sides. The Eagles are the better team, and have in their experienced number 12 a great passer, who does need some defensive compensation though.

Even in the last two minutes of the first half both teams have a decent chance, which they squander with bad finishing. Overall, we have seen a great first half, but most of the spectators are understandably disappointed.

The second half starts explosive too: in the 46^th minute the Pittsburgh goalie weakly boxes the ball out of the goal, but the rebound is headed out and a consequent counter-attack is just shot wide. Five minutes later, the annoying number 4 of the hosts is sent off after a push in the face and, in the following consternation, another Pittsburgh player is red carded (I guess for protesting in an uncivil manner). The Steel Army goes crazy!

Despite being two men down, it’s the Pittsburgh Riverhounds who get the next big chance. In fact, they stay well in the game, as the Charlotte Eagles by and large go on autopilot. But despite all the possession, and the low pace of the visitors, it is the Eagles who easily score their third goal of the match: 1-3.

Although it is clear that the game is played, the 9 Riverhounds put up a commendable fight, and the 11 Eagles totally miss an opportunity to work on their goal difference. Many chances and half-chances follow, but the score remains (somewhat disappointingly) 1-3.

Clearly, the Riverhounds are not Pittsburgh’s biggest team. In fact, their attendance isn’t particularly impressive for the USL2. But if you find yourself in the region, and can’t get tickets for the Steelers or Penguins (which you won’t), do pay them a visit!

Colorado Rapids – New York Red Bulls (25-07-2009)

Although tired, I had little problems with making the 537 miles (865 km) from Sandy, Utah to Commerce City, Colorado in time for the third and last game of the road trip. The Dick’s Sporting Goods Park is a soccer-specific stadium in a northeastern suburb of Denver; as so much in the US, it is only reachable by car.

It was opened in April 2007 and is the home of the Colorado Rapids (MLS) and the Denver Dream of the Lingerie Football League (a women’s American football league; really, it exists!). Its capacity for football games is 18,086 (all seating) and most Colorado Rapids games are near capacity. For this Saturday night game against New York Red Bulls official attendance was 16,816, although I doubt more than 13,000 were actually in the stadium (the curse of corporate tickets?). However, the crowd was remarkably diverse in terms of age, gender and ethnicity.

I had again opted for a ‘cheap’ ticket at $20, which put me in my trusted spot in the corner of the pitch. But before I took my seat, I first sampled the excellent stadium food, which included a very tasty chicken tender basket ($6.25) and a Jamba Juice smoothie ($5). Let the game begin…. uhm, well, after the national anthem, of course.

Colorado is having a mediocre season and was clearly looking forward to playing the even more struggling Red Bulls. Still, it would be the visitors who would have the first ‘chance’, a shot from 25 meter well over the goal. That would also be the only semi-serious ‘threat’ of the Red Bulls that evening. This notwithstanding, I would hardly hear the Rapids ‘ultras’ this evening; in fact, I could hardly locate them.

In the 5^th minute the Rapids created a great counter attack over the right wing and the low pass was easily finished in the middle: 1-0. Shortly after that it started to rain quite heavily, but people seemed well prepared and continued to enjoy the game in their colorful rain coats.

And they would be well rewarded for their perseverance, but not just yet. Because of the bad weather and many interruptions (injuries) the first half just dragged out. While both teams created some chances, no one was able to finish them. The Red Bulls thus remained in the game, despite their fumbling goalie, until one of their defenders mad a nasty late tackle in the second minute of extra time and received a well deserved red card. Half time: 1-0 and one man more for the Rapids!

After a diverse half time entertainment program, which featured amateur cheerleaders and kids football, everyone was eager to see the second half play out. They wouldn’t have to wait long for the inevitable: already in the 46^th minute a clever through pass was coolly finished: 2-0. Game over, as even the few Red Bulls fans accepted, seeking their entertainment around the drink stands instead.

With a 2-0 lead and a man more on the pitch, the Rapids shifted to an even lower pace, which gave the Red Bulls some air to breathe. Still, with such an unreliable goalie another goal was inevitable, and after a terrible fumble Real could not but score the rebound: 0-3 in the 60^th minute.

It was painful to see how poor the Red Bulls were both collectively and individually. No wonder they are at the bottom of their division. The 66^th minute provided the highlight of the evening, a beautiful free kick in the top far corner (captured equally beautifully by yours truly): 4-0.

Despite the fact that this launched a wave to go through the stadium for minutes, the rest of the game was a brutal example of anti-football. The last 20 minutes were simply pissed away on the pitch. Rather than making the most of this near perfect situation, and work on your goal difference, the Rapids players decided to simply pass the ball around and let the minutes eat away; who cares about the fans who have suffered through almost an hour of rain. Hence, 4-0 was also the final score.

Although the game never really took off, because of the weakness and stupidity of the Red Bulls, it is clear that the Colorado Rapids are another MLS team with a solid support base and professional infrastructure. While the numbers are not very impressive, they do make for a well-filled stadium and decent atmosphere.