Azteca 2009 trip

[braun]

The WCQ in Mexico would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
When playing Mexico I am a rabid USMNT fan. But my last USMNT match was vs Ireland in a storm at Foxboro.
Have been to Mexico City before many years ago but not for a game.
What is the danger level for a US fan in and around the stadium? No USMNT shirts, right? Is it all worth it?

Any thoughts?

[bshredder]

The WCQ in Mexico would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
When playing Mexico I am a rabid USMNT fan. But my last USMNT match was vs Ireland in a storm at Foxboro.
Have been to Mexico City before many years ago but not for a game.
What is the danger level for a US fan in and around the stadium? No USMNT shirts, right? Is it all worth it?

Any thoughts?

It's not once-in-a-lifetime. Actually it seems to happen once every four years.

It's an rough atmosphere but no one has been hurt going to the games; thanks in large part to the military like protection that US fans are given. Make sure you travel with the US fans and don't sit with the Mexican crowd. Also, if you go, make sure you have some thick skin and don't mind insults or an occasional object being thrown your way.

[metroflip73]

It's not once-in-a-lifetime. Actually it seems to happen once every four years.

It's an rough atmosphere but no one has been hurt going to the games; thanks in large part to the military like protection that US fans are given. Make sure you travel with the US fans and don't sit with the Mexican crowd. Also, if you go, make sure you have some thick skin and don't mind insults or an occasional object being thrown your way.

+1.

It's the most fun I've had at a US game. To be there with other US fans in the Azteca?

Wouldn't miss it. I know that some people took the subway to the Azteca. They had a good back and forth going, but nothing that led to outright confrontations.

Essentially, if you go down there talking some serious f***ed up sh**, then you're in trouble.

The food in DF is great. :)

The smog not so much. :(

[Master O]

Maybe US fans should do in Mexico what the Mexican fans do in the States: outnumber them 70% - 30%. :D

[vflkirwan]

We haven't had many confrontations yet because we haven't won.

Guatemala fans weren't that bad when I was down there in 2005. Walked out with all of them no problems.

This year, we won and the fans were waiting from the accounts and pictures I saw and the fans had to be taken out via field level.

Honestly, I expect the same in Azteca next year when we win.

[Roehl Sybing]

The smog not so much. :(
If it's anything close to like the smog in Shanghai (a sore throat within two or three hours of being in the open air), it shouldn't be a problem.

When do they figure out match dates for the Hex? It's a pipe dream for me at the moment, but I'll gladly look at airplane fares once the matchdays are set.

[Reignking]

I've never had a problem (in the summer) with smog in DF...

The one thing you need to know? Tacos al pastor. La mejor comida de DF.

[Nerazzuri]

If it's anything close to like the smog in Shanghai (a sore throat within two or three hours of being in the open air), it shouldn't be a problem.

When do they figure out match dates for the Hex? It's a pipe dream for me at the moment, but I'll gladly look at airplane fares once the matchdays are set.

I couldn't find any articles explaining when the actual draw would be, but I would assume it would be shortly after the November 19th games.

So, while we don't know the fixtures, the dates are already set:

Feb 11 (Wed)
Mar 28 (Sat)
Apr 1 (Wed)
June 6 (Sat)
June 10 (Wed)
Aug 19 (Wed)
Sept 5 (Sat)
Sept 9 (Wed)
Oct 10 (Sat)
Oct 14 (Wed)

So, six Wednesday matches, four Saturdays.

[metroflip73]

I like seeing the sky.

In DF, would be a problem.

Busan, SK, 6 yrs ago? Now that was some smog.

[dirk diggler]

If it's anything close to like the smog in Shanghai (a sore throat within two or three hours of being in the open air), it shouldn't be a problem.


Yeah but Shanghai isn't at an altitude of 7800 feet like MC is. Heavy smog and thin air aren't a good combination. If you have asthma make sure to bring along you're medication, don't over do it, and book a hotel with AC. Also, Mexican fans tend to be more of the sore winner variety; should we win they are more likely to attack their own team's bus.

[Seattle Dan]

i would love to go depending on dates. im sure something will get organized

[braun]

I couldn't find any articles explaining when the actual draw would be, but I would assume it would be shortly after the November 19th games.

So, while we don't know the fixtures, the dates are already set:

Feb 11 (Wed)
Mar 28 (Sat)
Apr 1 (Wed)
June 6 (Sat)
June 10 (Wed)
Aug 19 (Wed)
Sept 5 (Sat)
Sept 9 (Wed)
Oct 10 (Sat)
Oct 14 (Wed)

So, six Wednesday matches, four Saturdays.

It's got to be the worst in summer.

[Reignking]

I was there in July and August (of 2000), and did not have a problem.

[JayDelight729]

My list of things to do in 2009 starts with this game.

I am not missing this game for anything. IN.

[thethinwhiteduke]

My list of things to do in 2009 starts with this game.

I am not missing this game for anything. IN.

agreed. absolutely in. im hoping that this is part of a two away match wed-sat type swing. it would be amazing to get a large group of people traveling to Mexico and then straight onto another away match at a place like Trinidad

[DonJuego]

I went to the game in 2005. Easter Sunday if I remember right.

I was in a box with friends who live there, so I clearly had no issues.

There was a group of several hundred USA supporters across the stadium that looked like they were cordoned off and protected by military swat teams.

There were a few USA jerseys and flags smattered about the rest of the massive stadium. I remember one lone stars and stripes toting fella down to my left. He waived his flag high when we finally scored with 10' to go, to make it 2-1. All the beer being consumed in that section of the stadium was immediately deposited upon his head.

[buckeye5]

I couldn't find any articles explaining when the actual draw would be, but I would assume it would be shortly after the November 19th games.

So, while we don't know the fixtures, the dates are already set:

Feb 11 (Wed)
Mar 28 (Sat)
Apr 1 (Wed)
June 6 (Sat)
June 10 (Wed)
Aug 19 (Wed)
Sept 5 (Sat)
Sept 9 (Wed)
Oct 10 (Sat)
Oct 14 (Wed)

So, six Wednesday matches, four Saturdays.

Speculation on match date: The last two qualifying cycles the opponents line up so that Matchday 1 (MD1) and MD6 are the same country, 2/7, 3/8, etc. This means whoever we play March 28 we play Sept 5, and June 6 we play Oct 10 and so forth, with the site flipping home/away.

Also, the last three qualifying cycles, Mexico has had USA on a weekend (for a Sunday fixture), so I would be surprised if it was a weekday/weekday set up with them this time around. And consider that by Oct 10 (MD9) both sides would have likely qualified (thus removing some of the appeal, one could argue) [the match there in 97 in November was actually one earlier matchday, MD8].

All of these items considered, I would have to believe that CONCACAF would be incentivized to put this on the same match dates as last time, March 28 and Sept 5, with the only outstanding item who is at home first. The second weekend away would set up nicely with the Labor Day holiday.

[TheDallasPerspective]

All of these items considered, I would have to believe that CONCACAF would be incentivized to put this on the same match dates as last time, March 28 and Sept 5, with the only outstanding item who is at home first. The second weekend away would set up nicely with the Labor Day holiday.

We can only hope CONCACAF is as smart as that ...

If it's done in the same way Asia's final round was done, then - added to what you say - the seed matchups are already set as well. In Asia, the group #2 seed plays the #3, bye, #4, #5, #1. For a hex, that might become #3, #4, #5, #6, #1, which would put the matchdays Jun 10 and Oct 14 ... let's hope they don't do the Asian way in CONCACAF ...

Anyway ... since I live in Texas and near a major international airport ... and there are several folks I know here who have made this trek before and will make this one as well ...

Maybe there's some way to put something together, especially if Buckeye is right and CONCACAF has the good sense to schedule this match on Labor Day weekend. It's still a long ways away, but with popular support and approval from the appropriate SG national officers, it's something I'd be willing to point.

[rksehga]

We can only hope CONCACAF is as smart as that ...


Anyway ... since I live in Texas and near a major international airport ... and there are several folks I know here who have made this trek before and will make this one as well ...



I'm shocked you're not discouraging people from making the trip . . . seeing as how Mexico is so hostile and all.

[vflkirwan]

In 2001, US home game was on a Weds, I do believe.

Aren't the date draws for the game, eh hem *random.

Feb 11

A1 plays A6
A5 plays A3
A2 plays A4
...etc


And then they draw the names for the slots.

A1 = Costa Rica
A2 = Honduras
A3 = Canada
...etc