[SoulflyTribeFC]

Now that we're in, it's time to start planning the trip to Germany. Only problem is that the draw is still three months away

But fortunately for us the schedule is already out so at least we can kinda get an idea of where the Nats will play their first round games. Now, as far as the draw goes, I'm assuming the US will be placed in the third pot and thus will be a team that fills a _3 slot. For instance, A3 or B3 or C3 and so on and so forth. (Yes, I'm aware that we might get a seed but more than likely we won't so I'll take the most likely scenario).

Now, if indeed we are a _3 side, here's where we would play our first round matches:

A3: Gelsenkirchen (6/9), Dortmund (6/14), Hannover (6/20)
B3: Dortmund (6/10), Nuremburg (6/15), Kaiserslautern (6/20)
C3: Liepzig (6/11), Gelsenkirchen (6/16), Munich (6/21)
D3: Cologne (6/11), Hannover (6/16), Liepzig (6/21)
E3: Gelsenkirchen (6/12), Kaiserslautern (6/17), Nuremburg (6/22)
F3: Kaiserslautern (6/13), Munich (6/18), Stuttgart (6/22)
G3: Frankfurt (6/13), Liepzig (6/18), Hannover (6/23)
H3: Munich (6/14), Stuttgart (6/19), Berlin (6/23)

It seems like it's fairly spread out, which is nice in one sense but could create problems in another. On the one hand, my main concern is finding somewhere affordable to stay and if the US is playing in three cities all over the country, then that just means more places to look for and there could be a problem with finding affordable rooms in three cities. But then again, you'd get to experience so much more by playing in places like Munich and Stuttgart and Berlin rather then them playing all their group games in the same region.

Still, if the US gets group F, Kaiserslautern to Munich is far so you'd take trains or maybe even fly there. Yeah, you've got four days to get there but still it would take time to get there. I haven't yet looked into rail passes (like I said, this is the pre-planning stage) but I suppose that would be the best option. Who knows? Maybe you sneak in a night in some out of the way place between K-Town and Munich.

I'm actually going to meet with my travel agent soon (she's German! YES!!) so she can help me in my pre-planning phase of my trip to the Weltmeisterschaft!!

[SoulflyTribeFC]

Damn. So I went and talked with my travel agent and she said that she would not recommend getting airline tickets past December. Already a bunch of people are calling her and trying to reserve tickets for groups and whatnot, so she said if I even waited until February that I might have a tough time finding something. I suppose I could fly to somewhere else in Europe and then take a train over into Germany so I'm not totally worried about it but it just makes me want to get reservations ASAP. On December 9, after the draw, I will pay her a visit. That's for sure.

[Autogolazo]

I would fly into Amsterdam. I did this for a driving trip through northern Germany a couple years ago.

You're two hours drive from Dortmund and Gelsenkirchen, three from Hannover and Cologne, maybe four from Hamburg (they're hosting some games, no?).

I'm sure nobody else will recommend driving in Europe with such great train service, but after years of lugging a backpack, I've discovered the sheer joy of driving in Europe the last few times I've been and wouldn't do it any other way. Parking, gas, whatever--by driving I've been to places I never would've seen by train and I like making my own schedule.

[Palermo10]

For you TST-3ers, Orbitz has JFK to Berlin round trip 6/8 - 6/24 at about $725 I believe. Dates change on my Orbitz watch list thing, so you may want to check that out.

Even the longest train-ride in Germany would be no more than what, 6 hours?

[Jayhawk]

When does the next window to apply for WC tix through U.S. Soccer open up? Anyone know?

[SoulflyTribeFC]

Originally Posted by Jayhawk

When does the next window to apply for WC tix through U.S. Soccer open up? Anyone know?

Don't hold me to this but I think I remember thinking that it was sometime in October.

[Mikeymike15]

nope...Phase 3 opens December 1st

[Bigdog]

Please join us on the Yanks in Germany mail serve as you begin your plans for next summer.

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/YanksinGermany/

[JoeSoccerFan]

Originally Posted by SoulflyTribeFC

Now that we're in, it's time to start planning the trip to Germany. Only problem is that the draw is still three months away

But fortunately for us the schedule is already out so at least we can kinda get an idea of where the Nats will play their first round games. Now, as far as the draw goes, I'm assuming the US will be placed in the third pot and thus will be a team that fills a _3 slot. For instance, A3 or B3 or C3 and so on and so forth. (Yes, I'm aware that we might get a seed but more than likely we won't so I'll take the most likely scenario).

Now, if indeed we are a _3 side, here's where we would play our first round matches:

A3: Gelsenkirchen (6/9), Dortmund (6/14), Hannover (6/20)
B3: Dortmund (6/10), Nuremburg (6/15), Kaiserslautern (6/20)
C3: Liepzig (6/11), Gelsenkirchen (6/16), Munich (6/21)
D3: Cologne (6/11), Hannover (6/16), Liepzig (6/21)
E3: Gelsenkirchen (6/12), Kaiserslautern (6/17), Nuremburg (6/22)
F3: Kaiserslautern (6/13), Munich (6/18), Stuttgart (6/22)
G3: Frankfurt (6/13), Liepzig (6/18), Hannover (6/23)
H3: Munich (6/14), Stuttgart (6/19), Berlin (6/23)

It seems like it's fairly spread out, which is nice in one sense but could create problems in another. On the one hand, my main concern is finding somewhere affordable to stay and if the US is playing in three cities all over the country, then that just means more places to look for and there could be a problem with finding affordable rooms in three cities. But then again, you'd get to experience so much more by playing in places like Munich and Stuttgart and Berlin rather then them playing all their group games in the same region.

Still, if the US gets group F, Kaiserslautern to Munich is far so you'd take trains or maybe even fly there. Yeah, you've got four days to get there but still it would take time to get there. I haven't yet looked into rail passes (like I said, this is the pre-planning stage) but I suppose that would be the best option. Who knows? Maybe you sneak in a night in some out of the way place between K-Town and Munich.

I'm actually going to meet with my travel agent soon (she's German! YES!!) so she can help me in my pre-planning phase of my trip to the Weltmeisterschaft!!

You're making a serious error. To assume that we would only be in the 3 slot is incorrect. Other than Germany, the number is not related to the seed. That is random (or at least FIFA purports that it's random).

So, you able to get any group (other than A1).

[SoulflyTribeFC]

Originally Posted by JoeSoccerFan

You're making a serious error. To assume that we would only be in the 3 slot is incorrect. Other than Germany, the number is not related to the seed. That is random (or at least FIFA purports that it's random).

So, you able to get any group (other than A1).

Damn it. Why'd you have to spoil my fun?

Nah, thanks for clarifying that for me. I went online and verified it.

But that's why this is a pre-planning thread.