WCQ: Oct 10th at Panama - (Panama City)

wixson7 · Oct 14, 2021

soccer_23 said: ↑

The Panama fans were friendly enough, though mostly disinterested in the US fans (in comparison to other Central American opponents). Same as I remember in 2017. We took a taxi to the stadium and walked the last bit, stopping at a small sports bar on the way. The festivities outside the stadium were a bit more subdued compared to Honduras or El Salvador. Not much open drinking in the streets - I was told this is illegal. Not sure if that applies in general or maybe just for this match since alcohol was banned in the stadium (due to Covid, I think?).

In any case, had some friendly conversations and photos on the way in. The line to enter the stadium grounds was quite long (30 minutes), I think due to the vaccine checks. Had some brief confusion when she expected to find my passport number on my CDC card, but this was successfully explained away.

The US section was in the lower corner (upper left on TV), directly below where it was in 2017. At the left side, a string of caution tape separated it from the Panama fans. A lot of police throughout the section (too much for my taste - it felt like we were always being watched from all sides and above). There were perhaps 100-150 US fans in the section - the usual mix of traveling supporters groups, randoms, expats, and a group from the embassy. There was a band again like in 2017, this time directly to the left of the US section, mixed in among the Panama fans. They played 90 minutes without breaks and would’ve successfully drowned out anything coming from the US section. The US section was noticeably dead, as far as any organized singing or chanting. What was happening on the field probably had something to do with that.

No alcohol in the stadium (except in the suites). However, some vendors were selling the “agua especial” - empty water bottles that were completely refilled with rum. The police in our section noticed this eventually (some of us were getting a bit too cavalier with it). However, it wasn’t a problem.

The Panama fans were noticeably late arriving, which is again what I remember from 2017. Their organized supporters section (“La Extreme Roja”) put up some cool banners and tifo behind the goal again. It’s something unique among the Central American countries. We caught some spray when Panama scored and at the final whistle, but nothing major. Except for the guy who threw his drink at us from about 20 feet behind us in his suite - a bold move.

Around the start of second half stoppage time, the ballboys on our side must’ve gotten their instructions from above, as they gathered together at the midline to plot. Aaronson had to fight with one of them to get a ball for a corner. And then there were the three or four balls deliberately thrown onto the field to disrupt play. In stoppage time, every ball boy and ball was in the far corner (e.g. as far as possible from the goal where the US was trying to score). And at least two pitch invaders (one even stole a ball from the ball boy and booted into onto the field).

After the game people were friendly, with of course a little ribbing mixed in. We went back to the same sports bar to wait for traffic to die down and spent over two hours there. Quite a festive atmosphere.

In all, it was a fun time. Could’ve used a better result.
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Great report! Thanks.

KurtisW · Oct 21, 2021

wixson7 said: ↑

Actually, I'll buy one and then will transfer to you. Send me an email to confirm

Chris.wixson@comcast.net
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Just came back here and saw this. I really appreciate the offer. I had ended up getting one on the Panama site. Was great meeting a lot of you all

OlympiquedeMarseille · Feb 23, 2022

soccer_23 said: ↑

The US section was in the lower corner (upper left on TV), directly below where it was in 2017. At the left side, a string of caution tape separated it from the Panama fans.
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What specific section were you in?
What section were you in back on 2017?
Apparently FEPAFUT isn't communicating with the CSA regarding their request for a small "away" section.
So the small number of Canadian fans may have to figure things out on our own.

DaniChandler said: ↑

I recommend ...
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Any other suggestions or recommendations?

Walk from the El Crisol Metro?
Walk from Villa Lucre?

Any changes for away fans since the USA game in October that Canadians should be aware of?

Edit:
It looks like they have a designated "away" section that they are not selling.
https://fepafut.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/VENTA-DE-BOLETOS-WEB-1-1024x471.png
Was that the section the fans were in?

soccer_23 · Feb 23, 2022

OlympiquedeMarseille said: ↑

What specific section were you in?
What section were you in back on 2017?
Apparently FEPAFUT isn't communicating with the CSA regarding their request for a small "away" section.
So the small number of Canadian fans may have to figure things out on our own.

Any other suggestions or recommendations?

Walk from the El Crisol Metro?
Walk from Villa Lucre?

Any changes for away fans since the USA game in October that Canadians should be aware of?

Edit:
It looks like they have a designated "away" section that they are not selling.
https://fepafut.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/VENTA-DE-BOLETOS-WEB-1-1024x471.png
Was that the section the fans were in?
Click to expand...

We were in the lower level section directly under the one labeled “Visitante” on that map. It was the northeast corner, along the sideline (bottom right on your map, in the light blue “Preferential Inferior Este”). It’s a general admission section but the police marked off the area all the way at the end to the right on your map. In 2017, we were in the section above (“Visitante”). I think some parts of the stadium were closed off in limiting the capacity due to Covid, so maybe that’s why we were put in the lower level.

If you end up having to buy tickets on your own, you should be fine anywhere in the stadium. I’d probably avoid the south side (where their ultras sit), though I suppose that could be an interesting experience.

You’ll need proof of vaccination to enter the stadium grounds. There was some confusion that my US CDC vaccination card didn’t have my passport number on it, but I was able to explain that and move through. I’d guess Canada has a more robust system, but make sure you bring your passport and any relevant vaccination documents you can (and photos of them as backups).

For getting to the stadium, I definitely recommend Uber or taxi. Both very cheap options (even in CAD ) and you can get out and walk when traffic backs up near the stadium. Haven’t tried the Metro but that looks like a long walk.
After the game, the traffic was horrific, so I’d recommend waiting it out for an hour or two and then getting an Uber. We went to a bar near the stadium, which had music and I think a guy playing drums. Not sure what it’s called, but it’s directly next to “Taki Pollos” on the Main Street running north of the stadium. We went there before the game too.

Good luck!

Eddie Stiel · Feb 23, 2022

soccer_23 said: ↑

...For getting to the stadium, I definitely recommend Uber or taxi. Both very cheap options (even in CAD ) and you can get out and walk when traffic backs up near the stadium. Haven’t tried the Metro but that looks like a long walk.
After the game, the traffic was horrific, so I’d recommend waiting it out for an hour or two and then getting an Uber....
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I went in 2005 and 2017 and exclusively took public transit. Rush hour traffic is really bad in Panama City so the public bus took close to 2 hours from midtown Panama City (Calidonia) to the stadium in 2017 and I walked the last quarter to half mile. After the game, it was fine once the initial traffic logjam cleared, 20 minutes back to my hotel.

It looks like the Metro is complete to the airport now, which should be a big improvement. If I went again, I think I would try the walk from the Metro to the stadium, less than a mile.