US Open Cup 1999 followed closely by every other time I've been there I remember the good old days when they carried big buckets of ice-cold Boddingtons and Guinness up the stands, I think for $4, unimaginable to a DC-area resident who sometimes buys beer at RFK I remember trading DC United and Screaming Eagle scarves to the guys up in 3 Lions for free beer (we would have just given them, but you gotta try for free beer). When The Regiment™ started having bigger tailgates, the pre-games got way more fun too, but the 'Baud has always been a great place for viewing a game.
A bunch of great memories for me, championship matches, US Open Cup matches, tailgates, pub crawls during the Carolina Challenge Cup, seeing players like Carlos Valderamma, Bobby Convey sitting in the cheap seat watching a game. One was ex-Man City, Chelsea and Rep of Ireland defender Terry Phelan's 3 year old son crawling into my lap in the pub after a match and grabbing my Guinness and trying to drink it. I wasn't sure what to do and Terry, who was sitting at the table with me, laughed and said "He is Irish!" another (again in the pub) was after a Carolina Challenge Cup match There was a line in the men's bathroom and I commented to the guy in line in front of me "I wonder what people think when they come in the bathroom and see their signature on the wall?"(there is signed memrobillia everywhere) And then the guy behind me, who turned out to be John Harkes (was in town with NYRB at the time I think)., says "Well there's mine!" pointing at a 1996 team signed US jersey! We then had a full conversation while both of us were doing our business at the stall. Normally I don't talk to strangers while taking a leak but he started the conversation!
I've only been a few times, but surprisingly remember the match, DC v Columbus 2002, when I was ejected from the stands for rubbing in a Busch pk save to a DC fan. Dieu was sitting next to me and stuck up for me, but never the less, was booted. I asked the steward and Policeman if that included the 3 Lions. They both said no, so I went up there and watched on the television ! I've met alot of great people at The Baud.