The USMNT is practicing over at Stanford. Does anyone know if/when we can see the team? I've looked around but don't see any practices info on this.
The only open practice in the Bay Area is the following: Monday, May 26 (times PT): 5-6:30 p.m.: Public Training Session at Candlestick Park: The always-popular opportunity to see the U.S. MNT will be held at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. The training is free and open to the public. http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/05/09/14/16/140509-mnt-send-off-schedule
So if you want to take your kid out to see the boys prep for Brasil you have to take time off from work to do it... Or take him to the night game on a Tuesday... Thanks. Is something on a weekend too much to ask?
The 26th is Memorial Day, so hopefully see you at the Stick. Free parking and a fun time, if this practice is the same format as the WNT one there last October. Steve Goff reported that ticket sales are slow for this match. I think we all know the obvious explanations/excuses (Candlestick, school night, unglamorous opponent), to which I must add the superficial level of support for professional soccer in the Bay Area, outside of big special events (which this should be) and for exiled supporters of Liga MX teams. Pages of attendance records for the Clash/Quakes since 1996 and a not always or barely full Buck Shaw attest to that. Getting around this area can be a chore, no doubt. However, denizens of our area are becoming more pampered as time progresses. If there's a will, there's a way (although I'm not discounting spongey's concern about a school night). USMNT supporters are doing it in other cities. We may not see another USMNT match here for a while if this one flops. Maybe they'll give Unexploded Ordinance Field a try. I figure Levi's will be too expensive. We're lucky Klinsy chose Stanford or we wouldn't have next week's opportunity either.
It's one of three World Cup send off matches. They could've chosen to play this anywhere in the country, but they picked the Bay Area. It's been 7 years since the last US match here, the match and the free practice works fine.
Oh, derp! Not sure how I forgot that one. No problem getting the day off then. We'll be out there for the practice at least. Still considering the match. Might have to hit that one solo and have the Mrs. watch the boy... Trying to recruit a couple friends/coworkers as well. One lives close to the stick and is getting into the game. Brought him to his first Quakes/soccer match a couple weeks back. He had a good time, so I think a USMNT match in his backyard is a bit more exciting. May have to coordinate a meet up for a beer with you guys!
No doubt. I was surprised and excited when the Bay got not only the training camp but a match as well. Definitely going to try to make it out for the match, but wanted to give the kid a bit of the experience as well. So the practice will work for that.
Normally, I would buy tickets, but I have gotten old and jaded. In past years, I got to see games between US vs Macedonia and US vs Australia (both at Spartan) which were boring and not worth going. Players don't want to get hurt and the competition wasn't the greatest. Additionally, I don't have high expectations for the team this WC due to the young centerbacks and defense in general. There is really no new blood which to get excited about in this team (except maybe AJ)...
Guys (including wondo) are going to be battling their asses off to make the team. It should be a very entertaining game. And we want to have a good showing (attendance wise) so US Soccer comes back to the Bay Area.
If there's a good showing, perhaps during the next World Cup Qualifiers we host a US / Jamaica or something of the sorts. With the new 49ers stadium, we now have the infrastructure to host such a match.
I will be there in full support of Wondo...and 12k would be great as far as my parking lot exit is concerned.
Yes, a little. Certainly disappointed. Maybe a rush of late ticket sales will salvage the attendance. I anticipate complaints here in a year or so about how the USMNT is bypassing the Bay Area from people, many of whom will skip this match less than three weeks before the World Cup with players vying for places on the team. If we don't go, they won't come.
List of friendlies: Glendale, Az. US vs Mexico FIFA ranked #19 Harrison, Nj. US vs Turkey FIFA ranked #39 Jacksonville, Fl. US vs Nigeria FIFA ranked #44 Bay Area, Ca. US vs Azerbaijan FIFA ranked #85 Tell me honestly, doesn't it feel like we're being thrown table scraps?
Not really. Azerbaijan did surprisingly well in UEFA WCQ. I'm a committed supporter. However, a chance to see the US WC team days before it leaves for Brazil should be a compelling draw against just about any opponent. The USSF doesn't want throw away games for its Send Off Series, and this one doesn't qualify as such.
For those that have attended a game at the Stick, what section would be the better bet at 7pm so you don't have the sun in your eyes?
Yes. I only live in the past. Seriously, get a clue... Azerbaijan - Name one player from the team. Why should I get excited about the game? Oh yeah, I need to support the USMNT. How about the US Team? Dempsey? Not really. Donovan? Not anymore. Bradley? Possibly, but not his style. Have fun. Enjoy. Spend your money...
You brought up the 1998 games, so you seemed to be assigning relevance to games that involved the likes of Steve Sampson and Roy Wegerle. I don't care about them. I go to support the home team. Sure, nobody else of note vying for the USA roster 3 weeks before the World Cup.