http://www.cybersoccernews.com/columnists/tann/030604tann.shtml Especially after articles like this, I love the fact that CSN's best is a Crew fan.
I love good writing. Scott always delivers. (FYI Scott: anybody can get on those MLS email lists. Getting off of them is harder) I too am mystified by guys around here who want to gleefully jeer about how Home Depot is "better". (Including, oddly, people who are fans of teams 3,000 miles away. I'm certain they're right. I'm certain it's very nice. Really happy for you. But I wouldn't trade the last five years for it. I wouldn't trade tailgating for it. I wouldn't trade parking lot footie for it. I just love the old galvanized joint. So much of my love for soccer and for the Crew is wrapped up in the great times I've had there. If I'm supposed to be jealous or something, sorry to disappoint you. Not a shred of it. So please. Enjoy Victoria's Secret or The Depot or The Shed or whatever. Have a good time. Knock yourselves out. We've been having a good time now for five years and expect to continue doing so thanks.
this post is completely unrelated to the article . . . hangthadj, Is the image under your username from the My Morning Jacket album?
yes, it is. As for the article....it's on the money. Don't get me wrong, I am excited about the HDC, anything like that is good for MLS. I am gonna go out to La (cough, I mean Carson cough) later this year and see a game and enjoy it. I've only been going to Crew stadium for the past 2 1/2 years (I hadn't moved to the midwest till 99). My first game there was the 3-0 win over Chicago in August 2001. I been a Crew fan since MLS started, but too be honest I doubt that I would have ever become a season ticket holder or got the dish (just for shootout mind you) had it not been for CCS. I had ben to RFK and the Meadowlands before, but after my first game at CCS it was a whole different story. On nights when there were 15,000 the place looks 3/4 full instead of 3/4 empty. And you knew it was ours and that we were the reason it was built. It gave me a whole new connection with the club. No way would I have wanted to trade the last few years I been going so that we could have a roof or more luxury boxes down the line. I am never gonna see the inside of a luxury box, and my first time there I didn't even notice the lack of a roof, I was just glad that it was a stadium built for the Crew and for MLS. Basically Bill nailed it. I'm happy for LA fans, but not one single part of me is jealous over there stadium. After I go see it once I'll come back home to CCS, and be much more than content.
There a kick ass show in Columbus on Wednesday at the Newport. Robert Randolph and the Family Band are headlining a show with My Morning Jacket as the opener. It is going to be sweet.
They are supposed to be playing the fest in New York this weekend with Interpol and Beck. Anyone going?
damn and I have an afterhours meeting at work. as for our pitch being atrocious. I have never heard that one either.
I remember appraoching CCS off of 71 for the first time, I almost drove off the road because I was transfixed on the lights. I scared the hell out of my wife and father-in-law. I had that excited feeling that almost makes you want to cry. It was my first time going to an MLS game, also. I relive that experience everytime I come down to C-bus. I will never forget it. It makes me ache for Detroit to have a team of our own. No matter what, the Crew will always be my first love. Even though it's worth, I hate making that trip everytime I want to see live MLS action in person. You guys have something special down there, regardless of what the gals are playing in. I hope you never take if for granted.
It is something special. The big Kuntz out here in Indianapolis, home of past Pan-Am games finals does not even come close to comparing. And even if Indy or Philly were to get a team, I could not ever cheer for them. I don't even mind the drive anymore, the last hour is usually just giddiness or nerves thinking bout the game...Now the drive home, thats another story. On a side note, I doubt I woulda ever been to Columbus for any reason if it wasn't for that stadium or the Crew, now I love that city.
verbatim quote from alexi lalas after the season opener in april. thanks for the kind words everyone.
Re: Re: New Scott Tann article... The same ass who whined that they woulda got a bigger crowd in fresno for the open cup. what's the word I am looking for, ah yes... douchebag.
as always, you're so eloquent hang. not as eloquent as the other scott...tann. bill got it all right - grass parking lot, beer, kicking the ball around, crewzers with big asses walking around pandhandling......who would want to trade it?
Re: Re: Re: Re: New Scott Tann article... San Jose is full of em.... You know what, I like our stadium better for one reason. At least Crew stadium doesn't have this flying constantly at their stadium: Enjoy that "home" field advantage, LA. Pure douches...
Re: Re: Re: Re: New Scott Tann article... Someone made MD 20/20, Thunderbird and their ilk ... There has to a "Pure Douche" somewhere on this planet.
Great article, Scott. CCS is never going to be as asthetically pleasing as "the Shed" or whatever, but it was built in a hurry to meet the moment Scott describes. It has the aura of an old 4WD Bronco with the scratches from the branches, dings from rocks, stains from spills, but filled with memories of MLS games in the rain and cold, NATs victories over Mexico in February, Stern John, High School championships, MLS Cups and All Star games, and the Playoffs. I'm happy for LA. I'll be happy for Dallas. I'll be happy for the next new Soccer venue, but (to paraphrase Scott) stadiums are about memories of the events they facilitated. We have some great memories and I hope everyone else has the same chance to build their memories of great games and game days. If the seats are padded in the shade...terrific.
Can the stadium ever be used for a meaningful U.S. match? It'd be like the early 90's all over again except the USSF wouldn't be motivated by gate reciepts.
I have said many times that, whatever else USSF does in terms of National Team games, Mexico might as well count on playing every meaningful game FOREVER in CBus. Harder to get to, small Mexican population, ability to do the "sale to local soccer fans" routine, able to sell the place out without ever opening the box office and occasionally uncomfortable weather. Noplace else in the US can pull that off. We'll just be Mexico's little "Home away from home"
And that's all that matters, Mexico, for the forseeable future, is the big concacaf match. I'll take Mexico over Barbados any day.