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

Reccossu · Mar 22, 2005

loupgarou said:

Hey y'all. I'm driving up from New Orleans with a friend. We were wondering if there is a supporters bar or hangout for before or after the game. It's to far to drive back the same night so we figured we might as well relax while were there. Sorry, if this has been covered before, I didnt wade through all the pages since december......
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Nico has friends with bars in good places. He says he will post the hang-out spot soon in this thread.

Caulfield · Mar 22, 2005

jamison said:

I don't have a ticket yet, but reading the above I guess I have no reason to be nervous about that. Hoping to either buy from the window or bum from the parking lot a section A/B ticket since I don't really have time to pick one up in advance.

I'm going though, so, you'll have another voice, even if it's a New Yorker. (at least I'm not a UT alum (just kidding)). I've never been to Alabama, so, it'll be an eye opener. Looking forward to it.[/QUOTE

You will have no problem buying a ticket.

Legion Field, nor the surrounding area close to the field will give you a favorable impression. Legion Field is a dump.....I mean a dump.
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wjarrettc · Mar 23, 2005

Does anyone have a number for the box office at Legion Field? I want to know what their camera policy is for the game.

Yankee_Blue · Mar 23, 2005

Caulfield said:

jamison said:

Legion Field, nor the surrounding area close to the field will give you a favorable impression. Legion Field is a dump.....I mean a dump.
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I'm sure that the guy, being from New York, has seen worse.
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bostonbully · Mar 23, 2005

wjarrettc said:

Does anyone have a number for the box office at Legion Field? I want to know what their camera policy is for the game.
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If you can, please post here what you discover regarding the camera policy. Many thanks.

For what it's worth:
From all the US and higher profile matches I've been to over the years, my guess is that security will either care or they will not.

If security does not care, you can probably bring in anything you like -- of course, within reason -- as long as you are not toting around a large camera bag containing 15 detachable lenses. This implies that you could conceiveably carry in a detachable peep-zoom, but you might want to leave the camera bag at home, as I know many others who do the same.

On the other hand, if security does indeed care, they will likely check that you do not have a detachable lense. They may also pull out a credit card and make sure the lense that you do have, if even attached/embedded/a part of the camera, does not extend beyond the long edge of the card (approximately 3 inches). Note that not all security gaurds are created equally; if you fail to get in on one line, go over to and try another.

Whether security will care or not I think depends on the organization running the event, in this case either FIFA and/or US Soccer, not the stadium, who I would gather could care less.

I have an attached peep-zoom that is about 3 inches and have never had a problem.

nysoccer7 · Mar 23, 2005

Reccossu said:

A friend of mine with the organizing committee says that about 10k tickets have been sold. This sounded disappointing to me, but he said that it is ahead of the pace for the friendlies that have been here (and drawn well). The risk may be a smaller walk-up crowd due to the weeknight thing, and who knows about the weather.

Get your friends to make the trip. I am definitely pulling out the patriot speech down here.
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This is only a half truth. What was stated in the meeting was that approximately 10k tickets have been sold to out of town supporters through group ticket sales, and Tickermaster. It was also stated that traditionally the Alabama soccer fan will buy late, and or walk up. The weather will probably be the deciding factor in attendance with so many walkups.

Bigdog · Mar 23, 2005

FYI,
If you like seafood, this place is cheap and pretty good in B-ham:
http://www.birminghammenus.com/thefishmarket/

Enjoy

bostonbully · Mar 23, 2005

Bigdog said:

If you like seafood, this place is cheap and pretty good in B-ham:
http://www.birminghammenus.com/thefishmarket/
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Keep the tips coming for us out-of-towners!

I'm staying in the Homewood area and was wondering if there are any good pubs/bars/bar&grills, preferably with a sports theme, nearby that have a decent selection beers on tap or, better yet, make their own microbrews.

Love British Pubs, as their beer is IMO the best around and the telly is always tuned to football... any of those around?

Also interested in the same thing in the 5 Points South area.

nicodemus · Mar 24, 2005

Here you go folks, Tuesday night's "gathering" info:

MELLOW MUSHROOM
1200 20TH STREET SOUTH

(205) 933-5061

TUESDAY, MARCH 29 - 7:00 P.M.

Since it's a night game on Wednesday, we figured the "formal" meet up should take place on Tuesday. I've noticed the night before gatherings have worked better at the matches I've travelled to. Birmingham's downtown is pretty much laid out on a numerical grid, so Mellow Mushroom is easy to find. It's on the corner of 20th Street South and 12th Avenue. Super easy to find. There's parking behind the building, but it often fills up, but probably not on a Tuesday night. Be prepared to possibly pay $5 or so for parking because parking can be tight down there, but once again, it probably won't be necessary on a Tuesday.

We opted for choosing a pizza place that has a bar in it. There is both an indoor and outdoor section, pizzas (both regular and more off the beaten path types of pizza), sandwiches, etc. This way people can drink if they want to, but it won't keep out the under 21 crowd either. Since it's a spring break week for many, we figured it'd be best to choose somewhere as inclusive as possible age-wise.

Mellow Mushroom is right in the heart of Five Points and there's a bunch of other bars, restaurants, pool halls and clubs in the area too for people that might want to diversify where they imbibe.

Bars in Birmingham don't have to close by any particular hour. How late they stay opened is determined by the individual bar, so if you want to stay out 'til 6AM, you have multiple options. Somewhere will be open. The super late night places are Bailey's, Marty's, The Nick, etc. Just ask around, somebody will point you somewhere that stays open super late if that's your thing.

One last note, Five Points South is generally a very safe area and it's near a police precint. I grew up in Birmingham and have spent a thousand nights down there without incident or having ever witnessed an incident. However, most of the crime occurs when people take shortcuts by cutting through alleys. I know that sounds like common sense not to do that, but I just want to remind people. Cutting through alleys is just about the only place I've heard of crimes being committed down there.

Look forward to seeing you all in Birmingham.

nicodemus · Mar 24, 2005

bostonbully said:

Keep the tips coming for us out-of-towners!
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Go eat barbecued ribs at DREAMLAND and find out why their slogan is "Ain't Nuthin' Like 'Em Nowhere." Good stuff.

CG · Mar 24, 2005

nicodemus said:

Look forward to seeing you all in Birmingham.
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??????

CG · Mar 24, 2005

nicodemus said:

Go eat barbecued ribs at DREAMLAND and find out why their slogan is "Ain't Nuthin' Like 'Em Nowhere." Good stuff.
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ya got that right. Go. It is a must.

TheBritAbroad · Mar 25, 2005

OK, thats established the night before (we can"t make it, boo hoo).

Is there going to be any fan base for after the game?

We're staying at the pickwick game night, anyone else up for it??

CG · Mar 25, 2005

TheBritAbroad said:

We're staying at the pickwick game night, anyone else up for it??
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if we win!

MD20/20 · Mar 28, 2005

Guatemala will be training at Indian Springs School today at 4:00 (Monday). I wonder where their team bus will be headed afterwards.

Reccossu · Mar 28, 2005

nysoccer7 said:

This is only a half truth. What was stated in the meeting was that approximately 10k tickets have been sold to out of town supporters through group ticket sales, and Tickermaster. It was also stated that traditionally the Alabama soccer fan will buy late, and or walk up. The weather will probably be the deciding factor in attendance with so many walkups.
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Just to be clear. This is what my friend told me.

Either way, I am encouraging people to come and I hope others are as well.

rlo127 · Mar 28, 2005

New on this board, and just wanted to add I'll be there this Thursday. Was wondering where the after party will be LOL. We are staying at the residence inn and would like to know of any good clubs (18 & over). Thanks

MelH · Mar 28, 2005

rlo127 said:

New on this board, and just wanted to add I'll be there this Thursday. Was wondering where the after party will be LOL. We are staying at the residence inn and would like to know of any good clubs (18 & over). Thanks
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Welcome to BigSoccer!

You get there on Thursday - and you're gonna miss all the fun....

Hope to see ya in the stands on Wednesday!

rlo127 · Mar 28, 2005

haha my bad meant Wednesday fly out thurs though

NBlue · Mar 28, 2005

We're getting in Wednesday morning and staying at the Radisson near 5-points. Can anyone recommend a good bar/restaurant to watch the Spain match on FSC that afternoon before the match?

Also, any general spot other USMNT supporters plan on hanging/drinking before gametime (or, for that matter, after the victory?)

Thanks!

CG · Mar 28, 2005

NBlue said:

We're getting in Wednesday morning and staying at the Radisson near 5-points. Can anyone recommend a good bar/restaurant to watch the Spain match on FSC that afternoon before the match?

Also, any general spot other USMNT supporters plan on hanging/drinking before gametime (or, for that matter, after the victory?)

Thanks!
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contrary to the fact that we are hosting a WCQ, B'ham is NOT a soccer town. You are gonna be hard pressed to find somewhere that knows what FSC is. Just check the local restaurants/bars.

nicodemus · Mar 28, 2005

pvan4 said:

contrary to the fact that we are hosting a WCQ, B'ham is NOT a soccer town. You are gonna be hard pressed to find somewhere that knows what FSC is. Just check the local restaurants/bars.
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The only places that tend to have Fox Sports Espanol (or at least use it) are Mexican restaurants and they'll close halfway through the game for siesta.

rkeane15 · Mar 28, 2005

OK, I got screwed. USSoccer never sent me my tickets!!!!!!! I am really pissed. I assume everyone else got theirs. So my question is, is it possible for me to get tickets at the gate, what about the supporters section. I am really pissed right now.

pething101 · Mar 28, 2005

I hope you can still get tickets at the game b/c that is when I am getting mine. No way a USA match in B-ham is going to sell out?

I would guess you could pick yours up at will call. I would call whoever you bought your tickets from.

rkeane15 · Mar 28, 2005

pething101 said:

I hope you can still get tickets at the game b/c that is when I am getting mine. No way a USA match in B-ham is going to sell out?

I would guess you could pick yours up at will call. I would call whoever you bought your tickets from.
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I really dont think the game will sell out. I guess my bigest concern is getting supporters tickets. I just checked and they didnt charge me for the tickets. This was back when people were having problems ordering tickets. I got an email saying everyones tickets were recieved.