Well one could say Tim Krul of the Netherlands got in the heads of the Costa Rican players in the world up. Sometimes it work, sometimes it doesn't.
Although I am a Nadeshiko Japan's fan, I am actually not a boot geek at all, so I don't know which kind of boots Kawasumi wears. Which firm is her sponsor for boots?
I happened to check late this morning and they must have started selling at "noon" Eastern time if it was really at noon. I got covered grandstand seats @ about 11:45 CDST because the forecast says 40% chance of rain -- although that is far enough out that it could easily double or half by Sunday (still putting it at 20% - 80%) though. I have some questions about Starfire that this looks like as good a place as any to ask? If it matters I won't be cheering for KC even though I'm from out of town, just a beggar for good soccer as the intro. to a good soccer book mentions. - Are umbrellas and backpacks, or a backpack with a rain jacket and umbrella in it for that matter allowed in the stadium (or should I be asking about bumbershoots?) - Are the covered grandstand seats general admission or when we pick up our tickets at Will Call will there be seats assigned (i.e. how early we will want to show up)? - When will the stadium open for the 12:00 match i.e. is an hour, hour and a half, or 2 hours typical? - Is there anything to do nearby if we are too early and can't get in? - If it really pours will all of the 'open bleachers' and SRO fans be jamming in under the covered grandstand?
From a PNW person who, sadly, won't be there: I would not bother to bring an umbrella. It may be raining or even raining hard, but the temperature should be in the 70s. Bring a rain jacket, rain pants if you have them, and a baseball cap. These are standard gear for fanatic PNW soccer fans this time of year. With these, you should be fine. If you bring an umbrella, you may not be allowed to use it anyway. Out here, this time of year, we call rain "liquid sunshine." Enjoy that it's raining and isn't in the 40s. I'm guessing - but don't count on my guess -- that you can bring a backpack. There will be a screening station to check it out, but you should be fine. The league definitely does not prohibit backpacks, I doubt the Reign does, so it's only a question whether Starfire does which is very doubtful. I have no idea about your other questions. Have fun!
There is jack squat nearby. The closest thing is Mad Pizza and it will likely be packed pregame. Parking and bus service are also crap, so good luck. As far as the rain.. If it is raining before people head to the game, most everyone will have rain coats. If it starts raining after the game starts, most everyone will suck it up and get wet. High 60s is downright balmy for us locals, so the rain will likely be a relief.
Sunday will be the semifinal/final day for Labor Day Cup, a local annual youth soccer tourney. So while the facility will be open early (<8am?) parking on site will be scarce. If you do go early enough to find parking, bring $5 cash only for parking fee. Not wanting to be chicken little re parking but walking a mile may be required (normally big pro events are not scheduled at the same time as large youth tournaments!). You probably can try for handicapped parking if you have a valid placard. (edit: I hope im not overstating the impact of the tourney, possible that fewer teams are involved on the last day.) Across the 405 freeway is Southcenter Mall, largish newish although probably not much open before 10am Sunday. The mall has a food court. plus Cheesecake Factory, Blue C Sushi, Outback style restaurants in abundance although spread out sometimes over several blocks. Museum of flight is at Boeing Field and pretty cool if you like that kind of thing reasonably close by. There is Foster golf course which is cheap and easy and they have a decent restaurant that serves breakfast. There are several super cheesy casinos on the same ave too...(interurban ave) Also a ChuckECheese style funplex very close to Starfire if you have kids that has gocarts, batting cages, trampolines, squirt boats...and video games. That's my .02 about Starfire/Tukwila.
Also noted this morning that interurban is under construction just past the Starfire exit. Down to one lane each way, dont know for how long.
There's a divide between bleacher/grandstand, so I wont be crowding you in the GS if it rains. But neither section has assigned seating, first come first served.
4500-5000 is seating capacity for the Stadium. There are several other full size turf fields, plus several smaller grass fields at the facility. Plus the field house has a pizza restaurant, coffee shop, soccer store, and indoor fields as well. The issue is that on Saturday during youth tournaments, all the fields are in use, and typically all the parking in the facility is used up. Not uncommon to see people walk from motels on the other side of 405 to get to the facility on busy tournament days. This will be Sunday, which I would guess means the Facilities parking at game time will be somewhere from 1/4 to 1/2 used up - which to me, adding a sold out pro event at the Stadium means parking will be at a premium.
I wasn't so much concerned about crowding but I was hoping I wasn't foolish to spend $20 extra for seats in the covered section if everyone can sort of go up there anyway if it pours -- like at many smaller general admission college venues. I hope frugal didn't come off as elitist, probably not opposites but different ends of a spectrum.
No worries. Looks like parking will be bad, the last day of tourny is Monday. Expect a fully packed lot before the Reign game traffic.
She mentioned in her blog that she's always worn Puma as they are the best fit for her. So Puma has been her choice when she plays for her clubs. However, she wears Adidas for her national team duty - all Nadeshiko wear Adidas due to the National team's contract with Adidas - women's at least, not sure for men's team. Not sure if I would like it... You would think they'd want to stick to one particular model etc...
Wow! I knew she had worn Adidas in the past. I didn't know it was because the NT forced her to. Most countries, that I'm aware of, allow their players to wear whatever boots they prefer (but only provide the boots of their sponsor if a player needs them).
It's there. You just have to know where to look. Just go through any Seattle-based media's sports section e.g. http://www.king5.com/story/entertai...championship-against-fc-kansas-city/14678271/ feat. Jess Fishlock, Sydney Leroux & Kate Deines.
I guess Kernel_thai was talking about the interviews and press-conferences that use to happen immediately after the match, but I guess we can assume that ESPN swept those also... Anyway, it's great to get this interview with Deines, Fishlock and Leroux. Thanks for the finding, Steelers07. Wow, Kate Deines looks quite tall! Or is it the others who are particularly short?
I was at the fan zone last Sunday; I didn't see Leroux give away her boots, but I did see Solo give away her signed gloves to a girl wearing a uniform much like hers (the purple one). Although the back of the girl's jersey read "Kopmeyer"!
On Sunday, for a change, the Championship match will be at an hour that could make it enjoyable for Europe-based people too. The problem is that ESPN will be probably geo-blocked for us in Europe. Is there any chance to get some other streaming feed? And, if yes, could be anyone so kind to post it here just before the beginning of the match? I'd really like to watch it...
Re: my previous posts on Starfire parking. Looks like they've got that covered. 6 hour break in the tournament. Whew! http://www.starfiresports.com/youth/youth-tournaments/tournament-schedules/