USA v Costa Rica September 1, Red Bull Arena NJ

It doesn't make things easier. It's makes things difficult. If you don't have a smart phone, you can't go. That's wrong. Sorry it just is. I think it's ridiculous how hard usa tries to not allow visiting fans in stadium. Its the only sport that literally does everything it it's power to not get tickets in visiting fans hands. And should be able to attend any sporting event they want. Should have access also. I understand making sure USA has a home crowd. But still

 

That's fair. What are the things that bother you about AO?

 

Not too much to be honest. I like most every thing that helps support and promote the USMNT. Their away travel has been a bit frustrating, but I'm splitting hairs.

 

I remember the Chicago Whitesox baseball team would make fans who wanted Cubs tickets purchase tickets for three other series.
I think I also remember hearing that the Arizona Cardinals and the New Orleans Saints American Football teams forced people to purchase tickets for Another game if you wanted to see Dallas or Chicago.

So it is not just soccer that wants away fans to suffer.
I am fine with it.

 

You are 100% incorrect. You can still go without a smart phone. You can arrange for will call. It is a minor inconvience for the less than 1% of attendees that don't own a smart phone. Many sports/ entertainment venues are going to e tickets. I went to a concert last month and had 3rd row (brag). Only option was e ticket. Somehow everyone up front, from teenagers to an 80 year old women who was brought on stage, managed to use an e ticket to gain entry.

And yes, other teams use ploys to limit visiting fans. Washington Nats and Caps have both blocked zip codes of visiting fans to prevent them from buying tickets. It's called home field advantage.

 

I want 3 tickets. If I can't get a password here, I would consider paying $55 for a one year U.S. Soccer Federation Membership. I want to sit in the center. How easy or hard is it to get tickets in 225, 226, or 227?

 

I'm not saying do that. That's extreme. But there should be a small allotment for visiting fans to attend.

 

I am splitting hairs also I guess

 

How do you arrange for will call?

 

You can get corner seats with AO so you are not behind the goal but I'm sure you have to be one of the first people to purchase tickets to get those because they are better seats.

 

AO tickets are not assigned upon purchase (I don't even know which section I'll be in yet) so it's probably just random and you will only be given a section since AO is first come me first serve within a section.

 

Nope, that's totally backwards. The AO Sections fill from the center outwards. Almost everyone wants the center seats right behind the goal because that's where the most "atmosphere" is. In the past the AO sections were 100% General Admission. We'd often skip the march into the stadium so we could get in first and get down in behind the goal where the drums are. And that's how the AO section filled up, from the center out, starting down low and working higher. The corners were the last to fill and in some games like friendlies that didn't sell out, there were few people there as they were all concentrated in the center.

Now the AO tickets are GA by section, you are supposed to sit/stand anywhere in the section you are assigned (this is how it is for this match). And the sections that are sold first are the center sections. I always try to buy mine early so I can get the center section, few people want to be in the corner because it tends to be less fun out there away from the drums and the main chanting. Also, a lot of people just ignore their section if they get one outside the center and try to cram into the center.

While I agree that it's better to be up a bit higher than down low right behind the goal, I do not think the corner has the better view than behind the goal. As I mentioned our Tijuana Xolos season tickets are behind the goal (by choice) and the center sections are in more demand than the corner sections. If the game is not a sellout, the corners are where the empty seats are, not behind the goals. But I suppose there is some personal preference there.

 

I don't remember exactly but for Mexico it entailed contacting us soccer and showing up at stadium a few hours before kick. Do a little research. I'm sure you'll find it

 

Call TM and they should be able to help you. I've done this in the past for a "Mobile entry event"

 

Wow!! Thanks for that info!! You think better view is from behind the goal then the corners? The corners would be easier to see the other side of the field, no?

 

I do if you're high enough. When I'm down low right behind the goal, that is not a good viewing position. Whether behind the endline or in the corner, you're about the same distance away when the ball is in the other end.

What I like being behind the endline is seems easier to me to see how the teams are setting up tactically and moving, as everything is spread out in front of you. And when the ball is primarily in our end, it's even better. For Xolos, we're in the end that Xolos attack in the 2nd half about 80% of the time (North Stand).

Obviously the big drawback on being behind the endlines is you're further from the action at the other end of the pitch, and if the ball is primarily at the other end, it can be hard to see.

 

For the two lottery games sold through US Soccer's TM Account Manager, you just needed to provide photo ID and your account number to the box office to get paper tickets. I hope for and expect a similar procedure for this match sold through the normal TM platform. US Soccer will likely post this information in their FAQ's the week of the match.

I'm with you. Mobile only tickets are a drag.

As of late 2016, 23% of US adults did not have a smartphone. (https://phys.org/news/2017-01-smartphone-internet-high-survey.html)

 

And if 1 of that 23% chooses to go to a high profile US soccer game they can either ensure that someone in their group is part of the 77% that have smart phones or they can arrange for will call.

Not. Too. Difficult.

 

Box office staff in Columbus and San Jose were friendly and accommodating. I expect the same in Harrison.

The entry gate staffer at Columbus was poorly trained and flummoxed by the paper tickets until he received the proper instruction.

I unchecked the corner view option and was able to buy my preferred endline view tickets.

 

yeah I get what you mean with American football, you don't know if the runner gained 6 or was tackled for a loss when you're behind the play. Hope you can join us for another Xolos match soon! Always a fun time. Season opener in 9 days.