First Experience at RFK

Discussion in 'D.C. United' started by gremio1903, Nov 4, 2012.

  1. gremio1903

    gremio1903 Member+

    Aug 10, 2011
    Uruguaiana, RS (BRA) [last: Rockville, MD]
    Club:
    Gremio Porto Alegre
    I just want to share my experience tonight.

    It was my first time at RFK. I went with my three year son, that were in two other soccer games before, in Southern Brazil.

    The atmosphere outside and inside the stadium was great; as soccer is and should be.

    RFK is a nice venue, with some good sight lines; although the second section -where I was- can become challenging to watch the game, especially if you are 3ft tall (as my son, I am little bit higher ;) ). However, is great to cheer. If you do not care that much for the details in the field, but love the surroundings, it is a great place to be. I was delighted.

    It is an old and not-cared building, but it is over the par to it Brazilian counterparts (after the World Cup, it will be different).

    The yellow-jacked crew was great to help this first-timer.
    The food was not as bad as expected, although it was expensive as expected...
    There could be more restrooms, but the one that we went was acceptable.
    I loved the club kiosk inside the stadium.

    People in the stands were great: polite, friendly, supportive.

    I would love to thank again the guy that beat me and won fairly the shirt in the HT, but gave it to my son.

    I also want to thank Nicole, from the Screaming Eagles, that sold me and delivered to me the tickets at stadium.

    The rain of beer after our goal was unnecessary, but, what the hell!, it was fun! My son reaction: "Dad, it felt water on my face". Ok, water it was...

    In the end, my son and I left early because he was exhausted. The dialogue was like this:

    - Dad, I am tired. I want to go home.
    - OK. But let's see this cross first.

    And, suddenly, it was 1-0. Timing is everything!

    Now, we could go! I still saw the tying go in the TV at the aisle...

    The drove back home was good, although the 495 was jammed, listening the end of the game at 87.7FM.

    I hope we go to the Conference finals. I want to do it all over again. But, now, tailgating!
     
    dadman, EdTheRed, raza_rebel and 10 others repped this.
  2. NattyBo

    NattyBo Member+

    Apr 30, 2004
    Nunya
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Glad to hear you had a great time, and now you have the right idea: the only thing better than a DCU home game is grilling, drinking and kicking a ball around in Lot 8 before a DCU home game :)
     
  3. greatscott

    greatscott Member+

    Dec 21, 2002
    Richmond
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The bathroom situation was pretty bad. Having all those closed bathrooms created some funny but also some tense moments as the bathrooms overflowed with people waiting
    Also, not a problem for me because I bring cash, but at half time some friends of mine went on a mission to find a place they could buy beer with a credit card so to not use the ATM + fees, they said three different stations told them "the next line takes cards" which was not true. Rfk loses thousands just through fan frustration
     
  4. BBBulldog

    BBBulldog Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jun 25, 2004
    Dinamo Zagreb
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    Croatia
    Glad you had fun. Tailgate and you won't need overpriced food and drinks inside :) I actually bought a water last night cos my voice was going coarse... 5 bucks. LOL.

    I absolutely hate beer throwing too :)
     
  5. Transatlantic

    Transatlantic Member

    Aug 17, 2011
    Houston, TX
    Club:
    Celtic FC
    Welcome gremio1903. Come back next year!
     
  6. Winoman

    Winoman Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-O-De!

    Jul 26, 2000
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    fyp
     
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  7. greekchampion04

    greekchampion04 Member+

    Apr 2, 2006
    Richmond, VA
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    glad you enjoyed it and hope you become a regular.

    i highly recommend checking out each of the different tailgates and seing which one fits your style best.
     
    dadman, ImNumberTen and BBBulldog repped this.
  8. Theopisa

    Theopisa Member+

    Pisa Sporting Club
    Italy
    Oct 7, 2008
    Venezia
    Club:
    Pisa Calcio
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    WOW MAN, you're a masterpiece of diplomacy! ;)
     
  9. greekchampion04

    greekchampion04 Member+

    Apr 2, 2006
    Richmond, VA
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    its just a fact... each group has its own vibe and i think its important for a potential member to get a taste of each one before signing up... not that it really matters.
     
  10. Transatlantic

    Transatlantic Member

    Aug 17, 2011
    Houston, TX
    Club:
    Celtic FC
    Fair enough ;)
     
  11. Marco10

    Marco10 Member+

    Sep 9, 2002
    Gremio, I appreciate your post as I've been doing this a while and I sometimes get jaded. I was pissed as hell that the last two games, the most important of the year so far, had limited bathrooms and relatively poor service, construction access to parking lot exits, etc. I was thinking if I was a first time attendee, I'd bail such a cut rate operation, especially with a young son and said poor bathroom accomodations!

    But, you have reminded me that it is the shared suffering, and I mean that in a good way, that is the reason we all can't wait to get back to RFK, or god willing our own stadium. Thank you.

    Throw your beer next time. I'll buy your next one!

    MM
     
  12. stangspritzring

    stangspritzring Member+

    Apr 3, 2006
    NorMD
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yeah, the bathrooms and leaving lot 8 were absolutely nuts. We didn't get out of the stadium in time to make an 11pm show on the 1200 block of H Street NE, which is only about 8 minutes away.
     
  13. gremio1903

    gremio1903 Member+

    Aug 10, 2011
    Uruguaiana, RS (BRA) [last: Rockville, MD]
    Club:
    Gremio Porto Alegre
    Thank you.

    Well, I am Brazilian. Don't get me wrong, I love my country, but it is a fact that we are used to subpar services and facilities and overpar prices. So, on Saturday, the bad things were regular experiences to me (expect the beer, but since it is forbidden in Brazil, even the bath was refreshing).

    The only question I have: everyone went to the game in his own car?;)

    Best.
     
    dadman repped this.
  14. greekchampion04

    greekchampion04 Member+

    Apr 2, 2006
    Richmond, VA
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    pretty much yeah...

    the metro is horrible, slow, and unreliable. many people carpool.. but at most thats 2-4 people per car... so still 10,000 or so cars leaving the stadium if we had attendance of 18,000.

    another reason to join a SG... postgame tailgate while you wait for traffic to clear.
     
  15. Potowmack

    Potowmack Member+

    Apr 2, 2010
    Washington, DC
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The majority of United fans come from Virginia and Maryland, so Metro isn't the most convenient way for them to travel to and from games. Especially a late-night game like Saturday. Also, a lot of people tailgate before the games, so they're bringing a bunch of stuff with them.

    I live in the District, so I've taken Metro to games quite a few times. Typically, though, I carpool with 2-3 other guys and we alternate designated driver duties. I think that's a pretty common scenario.
     
  16. sitruc

    sitruc Member+

    Jul 25, 2006
    Virginia
    I forgot to check on Metro track work this weekend. Fortunately I gave myself plenty of time so I didn't miss anything due to waiting for a "shuttle bus" between Court House and Foggy Bottom.:x3:
     
  17. YellowSpine

    YellowSpine Member

    May 7, 2009
    Portsmouth, VA
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    And try out a couple other sections next year (or next playoff game in a week! ;)). I personally prefer the Aerie with Screaming Eagles. It's at the far end on the corner, but it's up close and far enough away from beer tossing you won't get splattered. Yet close enough to enjoy the chanting!

    And always the quiet side if there was to much standing (although the Aerie you can usually sit, for most games).

    I have a VW so usually drive and arrive early and score the free parking in Lot 4, which also makes it easier getting out at the end of the game. Not to mention live 3 hours away.
     
  18. greatscott

    greatscott Member+

    Dec 21, 2002
    Richmond
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Key to RFK experience.
     

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