Oh, to answer a question that some people were floating around... Frankie showed up at the tailgate, and someone asked him why he wasn’t at the legends game. It’s because his 11-year-old was playing in a game at 11 AM. That’s where he was.
I swung by for a beer...and said hi to a bunch of you. The weather and other life things meant I didn't get there until like 2:30. That RV was an amazing idea. Obviously, it needs to happen again. I brought two Crew n00bs to the RV...not just Big Soccer n00bs and had to explain how with life things I had not seen some of you in years...and some had never met. Thank you all for welcoming them...as everyone obviously would. As I explained, Crew forum on Big Soccer is filled with some of the nicest assholes you'll ever meet.
I think the last time we got together (and there was a time before this) was a Clippers game many, many years ago with HHM and Bradd and D&D.... That was a fun evening, especially when the left fielder dropped that fly ball....
I think I had a hand in screwing that up during the tent take down.....So sorry. "Hey Jaybir, do us a favor. Don't do us any favors."
AAA tailgate should become an annual thing. Though I would kindly request that we when we look at next year’s schedule, we opt for a premium nice weather month. Also, we can give everyone a heads up that have busy schedules and/or live out-of-state. Save the date, you nice assholes (quoting others, not me). What an experience seeing so many posters gathered together. People who have been posting together for far longer than anyone wants to admit. Meeting current posters was pretty damn neat. Seeing former posters together was also a huge dose of nostalgia. Having current Crew mods and former Crew mods. V-Army scarves, Crew Union, HSH, etc. Seeing our kids play together. I am sure I am missing all sorts of details. I do not think I will @ anyone because far too many names would be required, and I would inevitably “forget” someone, which I would never intend as a slight. I appreciate all that came over. And stayed. Wow. What I was picturing for yesterday’s tailgate was not what happened. Which was better than I had pictured. And meeting you characters? That was AAAwesome. Some things I heard or observed that I thought I would share, in no particular order: 1) Many Crew fans exist that did not know Bigsoccer Crew existed. We exposed new individuals to the existence of this board. Though, how they missed it with the massive amount of AAA and Applebee’s references on the outside over the past year… especially the past two or three months. No clue. 2) A certain Crew moderator jokingly shouting about banning someone. Then I heard some random (I am guessing non-poster) confused about how someone would ban another person from a tailgate. 3) Thank you to all of you that crossed your comfort zone and came over to the tailgate. I hope you enjoyed the company (and community). My heart leaped a bit hearing and reading that some folks had never really ventured to tailgating (or very few times). All of you are always welcome around me and my family. The last thing I will say is about my husband. He has been laughing for the last few weeks about how people in the STC FB group want to change/modify the FU Precourt chant. On Friday night, he said, “do they not get how supporters work? I mean I am not even ‘in’ the crowd, and I get it.” And then he went on to joke about the various suggestions on how to modify the chant. “Catchy, real catchy, great change” he went on saying. Also, he observed at the tailgate that the happiness level was something he has perhaps never seen within Crewville (and he went to MLS Cup ’08 with me, the lucky guy). On our drive home, I told him I thought the gathering was pretty cool. He laughed, and he said, “all of you are a bunch of nerds.” “Well you married a nerd.” “Oh, I know.”
Almost forgot--I ran into former PR guy Dave Stephany at the game--he just happened to walk up the stairs in my section. Was really good to see him. I'll always owe him one unforgettable memory--he put me in charge of MLS Cup for about 20 min at the airport when the team came home in 2008, as he had to do interviews....
No worries. I really think I made the mistake. I was trying to score points with my husband by cleaning up our stuff. He tends to take that role, which I know is not always easy. I think I just started grabbing any item that looked like ours. Somehow I only ended up with weights that were not ours.
As others have said, yesterday was a tremendous day in every way. Right up there with best memories at Crew Stadium for me. Open Cup win, Eastern Conference Final, Crew v Fire-Flogging Molly double bill. Legends game/Taaailgate/Gyasi Hat Trick Day goes right up there. It was great to meet and chat with many of you (and just for @Draghignazzo lousy to meet and talk with the rest of you ) It turns out the @Kyle Crew owed me beer too, I came home with just over a six pack left of the beer I brought to settle his debts (online BS message board debts only! @Ch(Elsey) ) I made the rounds offering a last beer to the group before heading over to my usual B Lot spot to spend a bit of time with my usual group. Walking towards my car Brian McBride is going the other way towards the Mega Tailgate. I shout "Hey Brian, need a beer?" He replies, "No thanks, I'm alright...But Clarkie does!" Mike Clark proceeds to rummage through my leftovers in search of an IPA (he missed a couple but settled for a straight pale ale). I gave them both a big thank you and headed on my way. I managed to be outside from 10 am until 7:15 and stay warm and dry the entire time. I only got a bit chilly when I donned my "Sperm-Lucky Doofus" costume. I couldn't stay in it for more than 15 minutes. Be glad you missed it if you didn't see me. It was hideous. Anyway, thanks to all the folks who did the heavy lifting in planning this. I was happy to contribute in a small way. What a great community of borderline assholes we have here. Never change.
I have some very special soccer memories over the years. But honestly, none more special than the tailgate party yesterday. An outsider may not appreciate why so many of us are gushing about this. I'm not sure where to begin - or end. Yesterday's party was one of the magical things that bloomed out of the ashes of 2018. I count myself very fortunate to be included in this remarkable group. It was so great to meet so many of you. I do feel bad that I didn't catch everyone. My son and his friend joined me. They reported back to the rest of our tribe (who came only in time for the game) how impressed they were. "What an awesome group of people! Everyone was so nice and welcoming." They even boisterously joined in on the AAA chant/group photo - then later asked me what it meant. LOL! I think a number of us here have felt the strengthening bond over the past year. You all had become a support group for me, not to mention a very entertaining distraction. I now feel like my virtual friends are real friends. Thank you! You all are the best!
By the way. I want to pay a compliment to @zman31 on his splendid AP costume. I met him back in 2000, and didn’t even recognize him. And that was despite walking up with @Flyer Fan who I’ve known just as long. I was actually in the process of extending my hand to introduce myself and wound up yelling “holy shit” with a great big smile on my face.
That is awesome...I am sorry I missed the picture. It was great getting to meet a lot of you, sorry I had to leave and couldn't meet the rest. Whatever we need to do to make that an annual tradition I am down.
Pray for their souls Who was threatened, I missed this? Tell him thank you for putting up with us, and helping out so much yesterday from all of us. Seriously. I'm not crying, you're crying. Did someone start dusting the furniture? Amazing. Stay gold, Pony Boy. @zman31, I'm going to just follow you and @DrunkandDisorderly around at Crew happenings. You both are always in the right place at the right time. This. 1000x this, and those that were unable to make it. Next time, the wall falls. This is true of nearly all of Crew Fandom, honestly. Yesterday was indeed special. All of you are special. The future of Crew is bright. The world will watch us shine as a club, and as supporters of the team and each other. This is what soccer in America is. We replaced hooliganism with community. This is the community @YeahMorgan has been blathering about for a solid year. I'm still sore and parsing through it all.
It wouldn't have happened w/o @Jaybir. I never think to pull out a camera. We should have done it every hour.
Even with the massive amount of numbers at the taaailgate, many posters were unable to be there with us, even though they trekked with us through the Crew to Austin muck. Every last one of you that posted throughout the saga. May our next gathering bring together those who were present yesterday plus those who were unable to attend due to logistics. Also @CrewSchmack - I heard you say my name, but I have not put a name to a face. And yes I am aware that your avatar/gravatar/whateverthe********atar is you. I was cleaning up (aka trying to score point with my husband), and I barely saw you. Something like a bat out of hell. @Draghignazzo - I just saw your post. Great minds, my friend.