llcc
23 Jan 2008, 12:07 AM
I’ve been a United fan in San Diego since about 2002. Prior to that, didn’t watch much football on the tube bc I was outside playing most days for about 20 years until arthritis in my hip – wear and tear from playing – took me down. United was one of the first teams I saw regularly when i started watching on tv – their beautiful, attacking approach grew rapidly on me, I got to know some of the history of the club (much of that thanks to this board), and now I live and die when they’re playing.
This Christmas, my wife busted out the BEST xmas present I could imagine. It was a photo album. The first picture was of us at our local pub in United shirts. Second was a picture of our airport. Third, a British Airways 747. Next, a picture of Manchester airport, and finally, a picture of Old Trafford, followed by blank pages.
I could hardly process it, but we were finally going to see a real match (I’ve seen United play on the summer tour in the U.S. – not the same) at OT. I couldn’t believe it, I was so fired up. Finally I asked the who/when, and she replied Newcastle. I started flipping out, telling everyone at xmas how they frequently tear Newcastle to pieces and about some of the great matches and goals that have occurred during prior barcode matches. Then I remembered Big Sam was running the show and thought they might try to play more defensively, but nothing could calm my excitement.
As you all know, several days before the match, Big Sam got the can and I started telling her that I didn’t want to get too excited, but that Newcastle might try to play an open game… A real beating could be in the making.
The trip over was awesome – my wife beat everyone online and scored us the exit row and tons of legroom. Poor man’s first class! The excitement in our hotel, the bar, and the whole town that grew in the days and hours leading up to the match contrasted sharply to the home routine of setting the alarm early for a 7am (sometimes earlier) match and driving to an isolated gathering at the local British pub. As the match drew near, it was infectious to be surrounded by all the energy and we could barely contain ourselves as we headed into the stadium.
One note from the pre-match excitement – Bishop Blaize was on fire. We were putting a few down in the street and the noise from that pub was phenomenal. To me, it was spine-tingling to hear the songs live.
Newcastle’s away support started strong, but after SAF’s recent criticism of the home support, the home crowd usually drowned them out rapidly. Couldn’t hear them in the second half. :)
Carrick played so smart. A lot of posters already covered some of the excellent balls he played, but when you can see the whole field, you get a better sense of how good his defensive positioning and smarts are. He made a number of key interceptions, including one that led to Ronaldo’s 2nd (?). Additionally, what might not have appeared on the broadcast was how frustrating it would be to one of the opposition as he shut down the passing lane. I was extremely impressed. I hope he finds the confidence to maintain a high level and grab one of the CM roles for years to come.
Rooney had one of those nights where it won’t go in, but in terms of creating, workrate, ability to separate from the defense and get a good look, etc., he looks primed to go on one of his binges.
The second half mauling was surreal. We got to sing, We Want Seven!!!! We really are just one of those teams.
Random note – I know city are a massive club, but I saw not one city shirt on the whole trip. The only time I heard the word city was in the Bonfire. I guess it wouldn’t be the first time someone has lied about size…
It was an amazing trip. I can’t believe our luck in terms of getting to see six goals in a half, United moving to the top of the table, and Ronaldo’s first hat trick. For those of you who get to go regularly, I’m jealous. What an experience!!
This Christmas, my wife busted out the BEST xmas present I could imagine. It was a photo album. The first picture was of us at our local pub in United shirts. Second was a picture of our airport. Third, a British Airways 747. Next, a picture of Manchester airport, and finally, a picture of Old Trafford, followed by blank pages.
I could hardly process it, but we were finally going to see a real match (I’ve seen United play on the summer tour in the U.S. – not the same) at OT. I couldn’t believe it, I was so fired up. Finally I asked the who/when, and she replied Newcastle. I started flipping out, telling everyone at xmas how they frequently tear Newcastle to pieces and about some of the great matches and goals that have occurred during prior barcode matches. Then I remembered Big Sam was running the show and thought they might try to play more defensively, but nothing could calm my excitement.
As you all know, several days before the match, Big Sam got the can and I started telling her that I didn’t want to get too excited, but that Newcastle might try to play an open game… A real beating could be in the making.
The trip over was awesome – my wife beat everyone online and scored us the exit row and tons of legroom. Poor man’s first class! The excitement in our hotel, the bar, and the whole town that grew in the days and hours leading up to the match contrasted sharply to the home routine of setting the alarm early for a 7am (sometimes earlier) match and driving to an isolated gathering at the local British pub. As the match drew near, it was infectious to be surrounded by all the energy and we could barely contain ourselves as we headed into the stadium.
One note from the pre-match excitement – Bishop Blaize was on fire. We were putting a few down in the street and the noise from that pub was phenomenal. To me, it was spine-tingling to hear the songs live.
Newcastle’s away support started strong, but after SAF’s recent criticism of the home support, the home crowd usually drowned them out rapidly. Couldn’t hear them in the second half. :)
Carrick played so smart. A lot of posters already covered some of the excellent balls he played, but when you can see the whole field, you get a better sense of how good his defensive positioning and smarts are. He made a number of key interceptions, including one that led to Ronaldo’s 2nd (?). Additionally, what might not have appeared on the broadcast was how frustrating it would be to one of the opposition as he shut down the passing lane. I was extremely impressed. I hope he finds the confidence to maintain a high level and grab one of the CM roles for years to come.
Rooney had one of those nights where it won’t go in, but in terms of creating, workrate, ability to separate from the defense and get a good look, etc., he looks primed to go on one of his binges.
The second half mauling was surreal. We got to sing, We Want Seven!!!! We really are just one of those teams.
Random note – I know city are a massive club, but I saw not one city shirt on the whole trip. The only time I heard the word city was in the Bonfire. I guess it wouldn’t be the first time someone has lied about size…
It was an amazing trip. I can’t believe our luck in terms of getting to see six goals in a half, United moving to the top of the table, and Ronaldo’s first hat trick. For those of you who get to go regularly, I’m jealous. What an experience!!