Birmingham, AL: USA vs. Guatemala WCQ Questions & Answers thread

CG · Dec 21, 2004

nicodemus said:

Is it safe to go to college in Kent, Ohio?

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You have given out too much Reputation in the last 24 hours, try again later.

Crewmudgeon · Dec 21, 2004

nicodemus said:

...and the ridiculous question of the day award goes to....Crewmudgeon.

Is it safe to go to college in Kent, Ohio?

Seriously, every big city has this kind of stuff happen occasionally. I've spent hundreds and hundreds of nights in the same neighborhood as that pool hall. I have friends that live down there. I have zero hesitation about walking in that neighborhood by myself at night. Southside/5 Points South is a perfectly safe neighborhood. That's the same street the US team will be staying on. Unless you're in some gated suburb, this kind of stuff happens in cities.
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Southern man better keep your head. Don't forget what your good book says...

nicodemus · Dec 21, 2004

Crewmudgeon said:

Southern man better keep your head. Don't forget what your good book says...
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Well I hope Neil Young will remember, a Southern man don't need him around anyhow...

Magpie Maniac · Dec 21, 2004

nicodemus said:

They have a few decent hotels around there because Birmingham-Southern College is right down the street from Legion Field. The college is gated though. If that's the one right by the interstate, probably not so bad, but I wouldn't want to be back the neighborhood by Legion Field.
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Yea, the Days Inn (map here) is about one block north of the interstate. I was thinking "bad as in Fallujah" or "bad as in depressed urban area"? Most chain hotels near interstates should be alright at least in my prior experience. As long as you have to pass the front desk to reach the room, I don't expect problems. Unless someone thinks I'm placing my family's well-being at stake (please speak up), I'm inclined not to cancel and rebook elsewhere.

nicodemus · Dec 21, 2004

Magpie Maniac said:

Yea, the Days Inn (map here) is about one block north of the interstate. I was thinking "bad as in Fallujah" or "bad as in depressed urban area"? Most chain hotels near interstates should be alright at least in my prior experience. As long as you have to pass the front desk to reach the room, I don't expect problems. Unless someone thinks I'm placing my family's well-being at stake (please speak up), I'm inclined not to cancel and rebook elsewhere.
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Definately not Fallujah bad. Just a really depressed urban area. You'll see what I'm talking about when you get there, but it's one of those things were it gets worse as you go over the hill on US-78 (Arkadelphia Rd) towards Legion Field. Being close to the interstate isn't a big deal. Especially since you all aren't going to be trying to find stuff to do and be wandering around outside after the match. You'll be fine there, now that I see that map. It's one of those things where it just kind of gets worse the closer you get to the stadium. I just suggested those other places because there's much more to eat and do in that 5 Points South/Southside neighborhood (and it is safer.) If you're just looking for a place to crash though, that'll do the trick.

Magpie Maniac · Dec 21, 2004

nicodemus said:

Definately not Fallujah bad. Just a really depressed urban area. You'll see what I'm talking about when you get there, but it's one of those things were it gets worse as you go over the hill on US-78 (Arkadelphia Rd) towards Legion Field. Being close to the interstate isn't a big deal. Especially since you all aren't going to be trying to find stuff to do and be wandering around outside after the match. You'll be fine there, now that I see that map. It's one of those things where it just kind of gets worse the closer you get to the stadium. I just suggested those other places because there's much more to eat and do in that 5 Points South/Southside neighborhood (and it is safer.) If you're just looking for a place to crash though, that'll do the trick.
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When driving from Chattanooga to the Ecuador friendly in 2002, I vaguely remember a hill after taking the exit off the interstate. While waiting at the light turning left onto Arkadelphia, I got the impression that the right (north) side of my view was a little cleaner. As I turned left and drove under the underpass, everything turned to crap.

Thanks, man. I'll stay at the Days Inn then. (It's a good deal at $60.) Here's some rep for the help.

Like the rest of us, next step is to nail down some tickets. By then, my son will be 4 years old and daughter will be 10 months. Wonder if I'll have to pay top price for them. [rubs chin]

Jumbo1 · Dec 21, 2004

This match might coincide with a big soccer tournament, The Vulcan Cup, so I would check the hotel occupancies very soon. I know Southwest Airlines flies to Birmingham, so if you live close to one of the ariports they service you could fly there for less than $200 from anywhere, including the west coast. I would bet if you do their 14 day advance purchase you could fly to Birmingham for less than $150 roundtrip from a lot of places in the country. When I am in Birmingham I stay south of the city in Homewood, can't remember but maybe it's highway 280, south of Lakeshore drive? Anyway, five points is not a far drive from there, and Legions field isn't far either. I would think a 15-20 minute drive. The airport is on the east side of the city, and there is a 65 loop, think it's 4-65, around the southern and eastern half of Birmingham which makes it easy to get to homewood, or is it brookmeade? 5 points is defeinately the place to go at night for a pint or two! Pretty sure some places are open past 3:00am. I remember the US team staying in one of the hotels on 280, but forgot which one ;-).

nicodemus · Dec 21, 2004

Jumbo1 said:

5 points is defeinately the place to go at night for a pint or two! Pretty sure some places are open past 3:00am.
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This is correct. There are no blue laws in Birmingham that make them shut down by a certain hour. They shut down when they want to, not because they have to. (Saturday night is the exception to that rule, and then it's 2AM...and even that can be gotten around if it become a "private" club at 2AM) Many places like Bailey's, Marty's, The Nick, Formaggio, etc. stay open 'til sunrise.

MD20/20 · Dec 21, 2004

Jumbo1 said:

This match might coincide with a big soccer tournament, The Vulcan Cup, so I would check the hotel occupancies very soon.
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Vulcan Cup (http://www.vulcancup.com) is two weekends earlier (March 12/13). It is a big youth tournament, that's for sure. Not as big as Atlanta Cup or WAGS but 200+ high-rated teams is a lot for Birmingham.

MD20/20 · Dec 21, 2004

Jumbo1 said:

I remember the US team staying in one of the hotels on 280, but forgot which one ;-).
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The US women have stayed at the Marriott on US 280 near I-459 the last two times they have visited.

sccrhound · Dec 21, 2004

nicodemus said:

...and the ridiculous question of the day award goes to....Crewmudgeon.

Is it safe to go to college in Kent, Ohio?

Seriously, every big city has this kind of stuff happen occasionally. I've spent hundreds and hundreds of nights in the same neighborhood as that pool hall. I have friends that live down there. I have zero hesitation about walking in that neighborhood by myself at night. Southside/5 Points South is a perfectly safe neighborhood. That's the same street the US team will be staying on. Unless you're in some gated suburb, this kind of stuff happens in cities.
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If the Alabama national guard is going to the game then we might have to worry

sccrhound · Dec 21, 2004

Jumbo1 said:

This match might coincide with a big soccer tournament, The Vulcan Cup, so I would check the hotel occupancies very soon. I know Southwest Airlines flies to Birmingham, so if you live close to one of the ariports they service you could fly there for less than $200 from anywhere, including the west coast. I would bet if you do their 14 day advance purchase you could fly to Birmingham for less than $150 roundtrip from a lot of places in the country. When I am in Birmingham I stay south of the city in Homewood, can't remember but maybe it's highway 280, south of Lakeshore drive? Anyway, five points is not a far drive from there, and Legions field isn't far either. I would think a 15-20 minute drive. The airport is on the east side of the city, and there is a 65 loop, think it's 4-65, around the southern and eastern half of Birmingham which makes it easy to get to homewood, or is it brookmeade? 5 points is defeinately the place to go at night for a pint or two! Pretty sure some places are open past 3:00am. I remember the US team staying in one of the hotels on 280, but forgot which one ;-).
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Thanks for the Southwest idea can fly direct from Hartford for, at most, $200

Jumbo1 · Dec 21, 2004

The men stayed at the Marriot last time, if memory serves. Southwest is definately the way to go...if your in New York, I think they fly out of Islip, and Philly. I might have to drive down for this one.

rkeane15 · Dec 21, 2004

Any idea on where they will be practicing? I woudnt mind seeing a practice or two.

nicodemus · Dec 21, 2004

rkeane15 said:

Any idea on where they will be practicing? I woudnt mind seeing a practice or two.
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The women practiced at the 96 Fields in Shelby County, which is down US-280. The men may possibly train at UAB's West Campus Field.

rumbum · Dec 21, 2004

bluedaddy19 said:

1-poppycock

2-best grits in town
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No, the best grits in town are at Frank Stitt's place in Five Points (Highland Grill)... with parmesan, assorted mushrooms, and some sauce that should not be legal. Probably ought to avoid buying the extra souvenir at the stadium, though. Dinner will run you about $150 a head.

Can't wait for the match. I moved to town a few months back from South Florida and only got to see the U20s there. I had to move to Alabama to see the full nat side!

nicodemus · Dec 21, 2004

rumbum said:

No, the best grits in town are at Frank Stitt's place in Five Points (Highland Grill)... with parmesan, assorted mushrooms, and some sauce that should not be legal. Probably ought to avoid buying the extra souvenir at the stadium, though. Dinner will run you about $150 a head.
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I've eaten at Highland's but I don't remember it being that expensive. Of course, I wasn't paying, so I don't really recall either I can tell you this much though, it was awesome.

CG · Dec 22, 2004

nicodemus said:

The women practiced at the 96 Fields in Shelby County, which is down US-280. The men may possibly train at UAB's West Campus Field.
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I would guess that UAB would be the main option. Getman is a USSF Region 3 staff coach for whatever that is worth.

CG · Dec 22, 2004

rumbum said:

No, the best grits in town are at Frank Stitt's place in Five Points (Highland Grill)... with parmesan, assorted mushrooms, and some sauce that should not be legal. Probably ought to avoid buying the extra souvenir at the stadium, though. Dinner will run you about $150 a head.

Can't wait for the match. I moved to town a few months back from South Florida and only got to see the U20s there. I had to move to Alabama to see the full nat side!
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welcome to the Magic City!

Brownswan · Dec 22, 2004

This will be a beautiful city for Guatemala to visit. I just wonder if there will be a US team to take the field and play with them when the whistle blows.

Scarecrow · Dec 22, 2004

The pics of Birmingham look good, looks like a well kept city. I just am curious, what is the history of the USSF holding WCQ's there? What led to this choice for the first home game?
I mean no disrespect, this choice surprised me. I figured a colder area for the first game.

nyrmetros · Dec 22, 2004

Are there any plans for Operation "Keep the enemy up all night" ?

nicodemus · Dec 22, 2004

scarecrow19d said:

The pics of Birmingham look good, looks like a well kept city. I just am curious, what is the history of the USSF holding WCQ's there? What led to this choice for the first home game?
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This is the city's first World Cup Qualifier, but I suppose it is based on good showing for previous friendlies. In 2002, there were 25,000 for a friendly with Ecuador. In 2000, roughly 20,000 for a friendly against Tunisia. They've also had a few women's games that have drawn over 10K each. The USSF's history with Birmingham began when Birmingham put in a bid to host soccer at the 96, Atlanta Olympics. The USOC (and I assume the USSF) were so blown away at the reception they were thrown in Birmingham, that we were awarded 11 matches (men's and women's.) Birmingham was host to two of the USA's first round games. One of those was against Argentina. It was a sellout of 81,000+ and the ENTIRE place was cheering for the USA. That's probably the one of the only times Bruce Arena and some of those players have experienced that in this country. I'll never forget that game. The US scored in about 45 seconds and that place friggin' erupted. It was electric. Granted we lost the game 3-1, but I don't think any soccer fan that was in that stadium will ever forget that. Especially when you've been to some of the many "away" matches here in the US. They also faced Tunisia in the opening round and won that match in front of over 50,000 in absolutely pouring down rain.

I mean no disrespect, this choice surprised me.
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Believe me, we Birminghamians are just as suprised as you. (Yeah, I live in Florida, but that's just geography, I'm from Birmingham.)

I figured a colder area for the first game.
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It could be quite cold at night that time of year. Not as cold as Columbus or Chicago by any means, but way colder than the Guatemalans are used to I'm sure. We've had snow as late as April in Birmingham, so it could be quite chilly. About 10 years ago, it snowed 14 inches in one day in Birmingham in March. Of course, it could also be 75 degrees. It's a very unpredicatable time of year weather-wise.

nicodemus · Dec 22, 2004

NYR Metros said:

Are there any plans for Operation "Keep the enemy up all night" ?
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I've been thinking about that. I'm going to be in Birmingham early for that and staying with my brother. All of my "soccer hooligan" friends are devising activities for the game. Perhaps that should be amongst them.

We're also working on a get together at a bar in Southside.

nyrmetros · Dec 22, 2004

nicodemus said:

I've been thinking about that. I'm going to be in Birmingham early for that and staying with my brother. All of my "soccer hooligan" friends are devising activities for the game. Perhaps that should be amongst them.

We're also working on a get together at a bar in Southside.
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good. whatever you folks wind up doing, just call it "Operation Gringo".