World Cup 2014 Qualifying: Away Match Travel

Discussion in 'USA Men: Fans & Travel' started by DLee, Aug 4, 2011.

  1. DLee

    DLee Member

    Apr 24, 2006
    Chicago
    Round 1 for the USA looks most likely to involve trips to Kingston, Guatemala City and Port-au-Prince between June and October 2012. Hopefully we will see the number of traveling Yanks continue to increase.

    Any idea if the match dates will be released before the end of the preliminary round? Hoping for at least one of Jamaica or Guatemala to fall on a Saturday.

    For those that have been to these venues, share your experiences!
     
  2. thethinwhiteduke

    Feb 13, 2008
    been to Jamaica for a non-US match. been to Guatemala for US-Guatemala. will share some experiences and discuss more when it gets closer. great city, great people, beautiful country but the atmosphere when we won turned very hostile rather quickly
     
  3. GOREVS3000

    GOREVS3000 Moderator
    Staff Member

    New England Revolution
    United States
    Sep 18, 2006
    Boston
    Club:
    2 de Mayo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    What was it like in Guatemala? Was there an escort? In Honduras they had two cops around our section and used police yellow tape to separate the sections. That was it. We left the stadium on our own and arrived at the stadium on our own.
     
  4. GOREVS3000

    GOREVS3000 Moderator
    Staff Member

    New England Revolution
    United States
    Sep 18, 2006
    Boston
    Club:
    2 de Mayo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If we definitely play Guatemala I am probably in for that game.
     
  5. thethinwhiteduke

    Feb 13, 2008
    no specific escort, but we were all shepherded into one section which had a large fence on one side. we were then surrounded by security on all sides. the problems we had were after the match. we had arranged for a taxi to pick us up but since the US won, the cops didnt want to let us out into the general population and the taxi couldnt get anywhere near the stadium. we had to wait in our section for awhile until the officials decided to let us out onto the field because they wanted to close up the stadium. we waited on the field for a bit and were then escorted out through the media/players exit where we were left waiting for awhile. the players on the way to the bus did come out and sign some autographs to their credit. eventually US Soccer sent back one of the media minibuses for 15-20 of us that were waiting there and got a ride back to the hotel.

    the scene before the match was great and festive. during the match was the usual beer/urine showers with the added benefit of chicken bones thrown. kinda pissed me off cause i was hungry and i couldnt figure out where these guys were getting chicken from. would have loved if they threw whole pieces. after the match was tense but it was a great city and great experience. definitely recommended
     
  6. njgrouch

    njgrouch Member

    Jun 28, 2008
    Caroline County VA
    Don't forget the best part of that night in Guatemala. After the bus dropped us of at the hotel we came across "captain for life John Harks," in the hotel lobby and, he took a few pictures with the whole group.
     
  7. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder
    Bravo for starting this thread, I'm already spending way too much time preparing for any and all of these trips. Can't wait...
     
  8. JLoeza

    JLoeza Guest

    Will Haiti be able to host a game after the devastating earthquakes they suffered? Does anyone know if their national stadium was severely impacted?
     
  9. Real Corona

    Real Corona Member+

    Jan 19, 2008
    Colorado
    Club:
    FC Metalist Kharkiv
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Oh that sounds lovely.
     
  10. Izzy

    Izzy New Member

    May 4, 2004
    Yes indeed, Haiti will be ready for you guys !
     
  11. Real Corona

    Real Corona Member+

    Jan 19, 2008
    Colorado
    Club:
    FC Metalist Kharkiv
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    That's sounds both welcoming and intimidating.
     
  12. GiallorossiYank

    GiallorossiYank Member+

    Jan 20, 2011
    NJ/Roma/Napoli
    Club:
    AS Roma
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'm definitely going to Costa Rica. Were going to play them away right?

    :D
     
  13. NYCHammer

    NYCHammer Member

    Jun 18, 2006
  14. caraos

    caraos New Member

    Jun 17, 2011
    Long Island
    Club:
    Fulham FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Im curious to see (especially with what happened last night) what a potential plan for Mexico City could be. I want to go but I'm not prepared to enter a situation where even the Mexican fans are unsafe.
     
  15. Real Corona

    Real Corona Member+

    Jan 19, 2008
    Colorado
    Club:
    FC Metalist Kharkiv
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    What happened last night?
     
  16. thethinwhiteduke

    Feb 13, 2008
  17. thethinwhiteduke

    Feb 13, 2008
    the Mexican national team plays in Mexico City. the shootings were in Torreon which is at least 600 miles away.

    do you think that the shootings at Candlestick Park yesterday will be impacting NFL games in San Diego or Seattle?
     
  18. Izzy

    Izzy New Member

    May 4, 2004
    LOL it may means both. But it would be fun to see the US national team heading down to Port-au-Prince for a real game tho. It would be a great athmosphere. I cannot wait to see it happen!
     
  19. vflkirwan

    vflkirwan Member

    Mar 28, 2000
    North Jersey
    Club:
    New Jersey
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I had good time in Guat City. A little too far from the ocean and the ruins in the Tikal though. If I ever go back, want to hit up the latter.

    I went to the 2005 WCQ and while the pre and in game experience sounds the same, the after does not. We tied that game 0 - 0 and we walked out with the rest of the stadium. We had no problems from anyone right after the game as we made our way to the empty US media bus to go back to hotel.
     
  20. vflkirwan

    vflkirwan Member

    Mar 28, 2000
    North Jersey
    Club:
    New Jersey
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    This is the one trip this cycle that I would really like to make but I don't know if it will happen. CR got drawn into what should be a tough group to make it to the Hex. While I feel confident the US will be in the Hex, it may be too much for CR to get there..

    I am also hoping (like many others I'm sure) that Canada can make it to Hex and hopefully join us. Be fun to see a WCQ there.
     
  21. caraos

    caraos New Member

    Jun 17, 2011
    Long Island
    Club:
    Fulham FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    There is some of the violence going on in the Mexico City area and its not the stadium area im concerned about, its when one is in the city where there won't be a heavily armed escort keeping people yards away from you.
     
  22. Real Corona

    Real Corona Member+

    Jan 19, 2008
    Colorado
    Club:
    FC Metalist Kharkiv
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I have nothing against Haiti, but I'm rooting for any of the other teams in the group to make it through. I'm especially partial to the Virigin Islands.
     
  23. JLoeza

    JLoeza Guest

    Don't go to the game if security is a concern. Catch Mexico when they come to the US.
     
  24. thethinwhiteduke

    Feb 13, 2008
    unless the situation deteriorates greatly, getting around the city shouldnt be a problem
     
  25. DynamoEAR

    DynamoEAR Member+

    May 30, 2011
    HoustAtlantaDMV
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Do we have to get a clearance or permit to have a large group of people to go to Port Au Prince?
     

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