Bradenton anyone?

Discussion in 'D.C. United' started by apqjr, Jan 27, 2008.

  1. apqjr

    apqjr Member

    Aug 30, 2003
    PB Gardens, FL
    Anyone planning on going? I cannot wait for this season to begin and I thought some of you had gone in the past. I'm still working out the final details but I hope to be there Saturday for the DCU - US U23 game.
     
  2. CHICO13

    CHICO13 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Oct 4, 2001
    SECTION 135
    Club:
    The Strongest La Paz
    Nat'l Team:
    Bolivia
    I've been twice, it's a blast. I'm looking into the Odense scrimmage. Getting days off from work on short notice might be tough though.
     
  3. elconejito

    elconejito Member

    Dec 24, 2002
    Where Homer Lives
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'd like to go. It all depends on work and what ticket prices look like. I'll know more in the next day or two. I've got my eye on the U17/U20 matches or the Odense match the following week.

    The U17/20 might be interesting, but I can't imagine the regular starters playing in those games. The really good matches should be the ones against Toronto and KC, but those are on Tuesdays... ugh.

    We'll see [crosses fingers]
     
  4. Dyn-MO

    Dyn-MO Red Card

    Nov 18, 2007
    Soccerville
    Do you guys have the times and dates of the games? I'm going to be in FL soon and would like to know the timing and dates of the games. Thanks in advance.
     
  5. United_Caps_Fan

    United_Caps_Fan New Member

    Apr 25, 2004
    Alexandria,VA 134/35
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Whoever goes, can we get brief write ups on how the new guys look? That would ROCK! Thanks!
     
  6. emanon

    emanon Member

    Aug 17, 2007
    MD
    Club:
    DC United

    per Goff (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2008/01/breaking_womens_team_news_and.html)

    D.C. United has announced more of its preseason travel plans and matches. After a few days in D.C. next week, the club will head to Bradenton, Fla., where exhibitions are scheduled against the U.S. under-17s (Feb. 1), U.S. under-23s (Feb. 2), Toronto FC (Feb. 5), Danish club Odense (Feb. 8) and Kansas City (Feb. 12). United will train in California Feb. 15-25 and then head to San Antonio Feb. 29-March 10 for a preseason tournament. More details are to come, but I believe D.C. will play San Jose in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
     
  7. elconejito

    elconejito Member

    Dec 24, 2002
    Where Homer Lives
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    OK, the major hurdle (work) is good to go. Now looking into plane tix...
     
  8. QPR Kevin H

    QPR Kevin H BigSoccer Supporter

    May 23, 2001
    Silver Spring, MD
    Club:
    Queens Park Rangers FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Ireland Republic
    It's nice down there. Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria are laid back beach areas. Wish I was going, enjoy the weather!
     
  9. Diceson

    Diceson Member

    Dec 21, 1999

    Chico . . . just to respond to your question from the other thread . . .

    Of course I'm going down to Bradenton! Even though it cost a couple of hundred bucks, you get to see free DCUnited soccer, and somehow in my mind that makes sense.

    This will be my fifth pre-season. I'll end up doing my normal "Notes & Quotes" and Q&A's.

    I would strongly recommend folks to come down! Looking at the schedule, the Friday, Feb 8th game, makes the most sense.
    - Fly down Thursday night to Tampa.
    - Rent a car and make the one-hour drive south to Bradenton. Hotels/motels are fairly cheap ($50 to $80/night) - there is a Days Inn right at the intersection of Rte 75 and 64 (Exit 217?), which was cheap and clean a couple of years ago. That also allows for a straight shot to the academy by going down 53rd Ave.
    - Most games start at 10 AM. They do stack games, if there is a second game it will start at around Noon. Sometimes there are games in the afternoon, so you can catch those also!

    The rules for talking with the team are pretty straight forward. You've got to remember they are there to work! After practices and/or games, if you keep it low key, usually the players are very cool with chatting for a couple minutes - wear your team jersey!

    If you want something more "official", such as a Q&A, then you ask Doug Hicks, who will be down there, and he'll let you know the schedule for the team. Usually, the team does its interviews at night after the day is complete.

    The one thing I would say is to remember you are guests of the team. You didn't buy tickets, so you don't have any "rights".

    Anybody not associated with the team is fair game. As Chico can tell you, you WILL run into other notable, such as RDA, Nowak, and basically anyone important in MLS. All these folks love the fact that fans take the time and spend the coin to come down! Actually, most of them think you're crazy, but that why they love you for it.

    It is a great time! Five years ago, literally I was the only person down there. Last year every game was attended by a couple of hundred, and there were a couple of other journalists. The trend is going to continue to grow. Eventually MLS will have to start controling access, so I'd get down there while the opportunity still exists.
     
  10. CHICO13

    CHICO13 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Oct 4, 2001
    SECTION 135
    Club:
    The Strongest La Paz
    Nat'l Team:
    Bolivia
    Agree with John's points. We were there for the infamous "send him to hospital" game which to this day I say was complete BS.

    Unfortunately for me it isn't looking good this year. My boss is out that week and that puts me in charge of the insane asylum where I work. You guys have a blast though and keep in mind everything John posted above.
     
  11. AlecW81

    AlecW81 Member

    Oct 20, 2005
    Durham, NC
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    My family used to go down to Brandenton Beach, Smurfs was always a good spot to grab a bite to eat, and there was a really good Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza joint too.
     
  12. CrimsonChin00

    CrimsonChin00 New Member

    Aug 8, 2007
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Sorry, no banco, I was looking foward to it this year.
     
  13. elconejito

    elconejito Member

    Dec 24, 2002
    Where Homer Lives
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    woohoo, I'm in. Boss approved, got the tix. I'm just trying to convince my dad to go, and my little brother (gainesville) will show up after classes if the game is late enough (altho it sounds like the game will be early rather than late).

    I.
    Am.
    Psyched.
     
  14. Bolivianfuego

    Bolivianfuego Your favorite Bolivian

    Apr 12, 2004
    Fairfax, Va
    Club:
    Bolivar La Paz
    Nat'l Team:
    Bolivia
    so how much total, would you guys say it would cost for planeticket to and back, and hotel?
     
  15. CHICO13

    CHICO13 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Oct 4, 2001
    SECTION 135
    Club:
    The Strongest La Paz
    Nat'l Team:
    Bolivia
    I usually fly into Tampa and stay in Clearwater. Figure on two nights hotel and car rental. Hard to say what airfares are right now, try kayak.com for a package deal.

    Of course we usually stay right next door to a strip joint so that throws my finances all out of whack. :D
     
  16. Winoman

    Winoman Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-O-De!

    Jul 26, 2000
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Don't you have any frequent-ogler miles at the "Titty Bar" that you can use? :)
     
  17. Sinko

    Sinko New Member

    Dec 28, 1999
    xalapa ver mx
    Club:
    Harrisburg City Isl.
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Thanks for this. It was exactly the info I came looking for.

    To start, I'll probably be there on the 2nd for the U-23 match, but I may go back up there for some of the matches later in the week.
     
  18. elconejito

    elconejito Member

    Dec 24, 2002
    Where Homer Lives
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    plane tix into tampa are running < $200 for the odense game, according to expedia. Hotel will probably run about $100-200 depending on how many nights you stay.
     
  19. Bolivianfuego

    Bolivianfuego Your favorite Bolivian

    Apr 12, 2004
    Fairfax, Va
    Club:
    Bolivar La Paz
    Nat'l Team:
    Bolivia
    Hahahahaha.
    Thats not bad. When are the playing dates? It might fall under my Schools Spring Break, all my buddies are wack and their all working now so no Cancun for me this year. :D
     
  20. Diceson

    Diceson Member

    Dec 21, 1999
    For those who are young and bold, 15 hour car trip, and that's driving "normal". . . .

    Three guys (5 hour driving shifts) . . . get out of DC by 6 PM Friday . . . you'd get there just in time for a 10 AM kick off! Sleep in motel over night. Heck, if you wanted to, you could get a head start on the return trip, or hit Ybor City.

    Leave 5 AM Sunday . . . you'd be back in time for the Super Bowl kickoff. Maybe cost everyone $100 bucks total.

    AND you'd get the "I've got really big balls and more support than the normal fan" pre-season award.
     
  21. apqjr

    apqjr Member

    Aug 30, 2003
    PB Gardens, FL
    I'm all set for Saturday.

    Diceson, what happens on non-game days? I imagine they'll be practicing, but are these open to the public as well? Thanks!
     
  22. DCU

    DCU Member

    Feb 15, 1999
    Bay Area, CA
    Any word on where in California DC will train Feb 15-25?
     
  23. SteveWWJ

    SteveWWJ Member

    Jan 28, 2003
    Reston, VA
    I would think the Home Depot Center.
     
  24. elconejito

    elconejito Member

    Dec 24, 2002
    Where Homer Lives
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Per this thread, and I think it was also on Goff's blog somewheres.
    ---------------
    D.C. United 2008 Preseason Schedule (all times EST):
    Monday, January 28: Training at RFK Stadium (10:30 a.m.)
    Tuesday, January 29: Fitness Testing, no media availability
    Wednesday, January 30-Thursday, February 12: Training in Bradenton, FL
    Friday, February 1: Match v. U17s
    Saturday, February 2: Match v. U23s
    Wednesday, February 5: Match v. Toronto FC
    Friday, February 8: Match v. Odense (Denmark)
    Tuesday, February 12: Match v. Kansas City
    February 15-25: West Coast
    Friday, February 29 - Monday, March 10: San Antonio
    March 11-13: CONCACAF Champions’ Cup Match at Harbour View FC (Jamaica)
    March 18-20: CONCACAF Champions’ Cup Match v. Harbour View FC at RFK.
    -------------
    I'll be down there for the Odense game.
     

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