Yes, they know what we are all about and are excited to have us there. They have been very good to us Loyalists in the past and love the excitement and energy we bring to the place. (Even though we haven't been able to watch a win there.) Oh, just saw that someone already called so I guess this is just a confirmation of that. Or that is a confirmation of what I said. Either way it is good.
I hope you guys have fun. I hope that they bring in a ton of $$$$$ to help reenforce that soccer fans = $$$$$. Not that I want you guys to be poor but the more business they get, hopefully the more it encourages them and others to support the game.
We had an agreement with the managers at the Pic Pub in Foxboro prior to the US/Jamaica qualifier in 01 (the one we qualified for Korea). They had agreed to let us sing, they knew what they were getting into. So come the night before the game, about 100+ Sam's Army members converge on the place. We had booked hotel rooms for SA just about 1/4 mile walk from the place. We get in, start drinking, and of course the USA songs start up. The night manager apparently had never been told about the agreement and asked us to stop. We spoke to them, told them about the agreement, they said they'd never heard of it. Now, the bartenders were having a blast (and making good $$). The few restaurant patrons at the time (this was now around 9:30 or 10) were enjoying themselves and found it funny. I spoke with every person in the restaurant part of the place, and they were okay with it. Please remember, this was the first game after Sept 11, and emotions were high. The manager then threatened to call the police. A couple of people were kicked out of the bar. We sang the friggin national anthem, and the manager just was pissed. Finally, I had enough, and there was a bar directly across the street. So everyone of us left the bar singing (of course), "Here we go." We get halfway across the deserted Route 1, and see 3 police cars pulling into the Pic Pub. We all got a laugh about that. Entered the other bar, and a couple of minutes later a couple of the cops came in and we were told that if anyone sang we'd be arrested. Quite a few people politely tried to explain what was going on, and basically it didn't matter. So that was our bad experience. Luckily we found a good Irish pub last year and had no problems prior to the US/El Sal match. To me, the camarederie that takes place at these events just helps bring us together, and gets everyone even more hyped up for the match. I really hope there will be singing in the bar. Let people know who we are ... and maybe they'll even want to join us (we had a few people ask about tickets at the bar last year because of our enthusiasm). Hope that covers the story.
They are expecting people to show up beginning at the usual dinner time... I will be heading down at about 6-6:30... The real question is what do we want them to have on the TV sets? Any requests?
The owner and the managers all know what we are about... they are used to Loyalist watch parties and the like. When I was there watching the UEFA Cup final one of the managers was singing louder than anyone else in the place every time Arsenal scored (he was a happy man by the end of the match). It will be great...
You'll be playing at 4400 feet, so that should add a few yards to your drives. We may see some scattered showers Thursday, but Friday & Saturday should be dry; so hopefully, the greens won't have that Giants Stadium Fieldturf feel.
Man I wish you could say the same for Park City and Sundance. I was HOPING to be mountain biking this weekend up there, but I don't think Mother Nature wants me to.
But on the other hand, if you have a pair of skis that you aren't particularly attached to, Snowbird's tram & one lift will be open Saturday & Sunday. Watch out for rocks. Monday, I took my daughter up to Brighton to sled. There was still snow at Brighton's base.
Well looky there...according to Weather.com, the weather is suppose to be pretty decent in both Park City and Sundance with Sundance being warmer of the two on Saturday and that is where I'm planning on riding. Since they start running their lifts at 10am, I plan on being there from 10am - 3pm'ish. If I drive like crazy to the Sandy Civic Center Trax station...how long will it take for me to ride Trax from there to the Gallivan Plaza and then make the transfer to the University train and then finally up to the stadium? The logistics of trying to plan this trip are really a pain in the ass.
Give them a call. You may be able to catch a special 703 which will take you directly to the stadium, no transfer needed. You could always take Trax to Courthouse or Gallivan and flag a cab, too.
If you catch the 3:44 train at Sandy it arrives at the transfer point downtown at 4:14. You can then catch the 4:18 train and arrive at the Stadium stop at 4:28. That should be plenty of time to get in the game and it gives you a little room for error.
The 703 only runs early Saturday morning and late Saturday night. So he might be able to take it back, but won't be able to take it there.
If you're taking TRAX from the south before a stadium event, they usually run extra trains that run directly to the university. If the sign on the train says UNIVERSITY you don't have to even change trains. If the sign says DELTA CENTER, then you need to transfer at the Gallivan Center. (The loudspeakers on the train will clearly tell you where to transfer) Usually they time trains so when you get off the inbound traing from Sandy, the train heading to the University comes along a few minutes later. Probably looking at about 40 minutes from Sandy to the "U" Less than 54 hours until kickoff !!
Thanks for all the info guys!!! OK two options I'm looking at.... 1) Catch the train from Sandy and head to the stadium that way. OR... 2) Drive from Sundance and catch the train at the Delta Center. I'm leaning towards option 2 since after the game I'll be able to head back to my car and then just meander around downtown instead of having to go all the way back to Sandy and then come all the way back to downtown. Thanks
Joe, It's 2 post-Charlie here(actually 8 post now). Looking forward to having a beer with you tomorrow night. Definately bring that DVD.
Hey Charlie - looking forward to seeing you again. I posted this just a little while ago. Congrats on your additional 6 posts...
I was up at Park City today...a bit chilly (loved it) and cloudy...looked like it wanted to rain, but hadn't by the time I left (around 3:30). And the day in SLC closed out beautifully, with a spectacular sunset throwing a pink glow on the Wasatch. Tomorrow should be great. Man, I miss this city. I still question my decision 30 years ago to leave
Iggy's update So a local TV station is going to be doing their sportscast from Iggy's at 5:30... so I encourage everyone who can make it to be there at that time and spend the evening. Officially things start at 5pm... so I will do my best to get there by that time. Look forward to seeing everyone soon... It is going to be awesome.
We're leaving in a bit, and theres a HUGE storm in Kansas that is going to meet us at the airport. With only a 25 minute layover in Denver I sure hope this doesn't turn into one of those disaster travel days...
11 hours until festivities start at Iggy's!!!! Yip-eeee. Today, I'm doing the family thing. After 4pm, I'm off the clock until after the RSL-FCD reserve game ends at noon.