Behind the Border

My fifth USMNT game was my first away game:

August 12, 2009
Estadio Azteca
Mexico City, Mexico
2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Mexico v USA

Yeah, this was the big one. My friend AJ doubted me when I declared three years prior that I would be going to Azteca with him. Three years later, there I was.

On the Road at Home

My list of USMNT games continues with number four:

June 6, 2009
Soldier Field
Chicago IL
2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifier: USA v Honduras

The problem with being a fan of the US men's national team is that sometimes the home games can feel like away games. Case in point: the qualifier against Honduras at Soldier Field.

Dos-a-Cero VII: the Wettening

It's time for another trip down Amnesia Lane. My third USMNT game was another qualifier:

February 11, 2009
Columbus Crew Stadium
Columbus OH
2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifier: USA v Mexico

I remember this being a last-minute decision to go to this game; I had to scour the web for tickets, and ended up not being able to get rid of the second of a pair. Once again, a dozen or so First Minnesota Volunteers made the trip to Columbus.

High and Higher

U.S. MNT to Play First Home Match in Final Round of 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

US Soccer finally announced the site of the first home game of this year's hex: Denver. (Or, for the pedants: Commerce City.) I'm good with this for a few reasons:

• Denver is a nice city. I haven't been there since 2007.
• DSG Park is a nice stadium, albeit in a weird location.
• Fares for going to Denver and Mexico City in a triangle trip are not much more than just going to Mexico City alone.
• Sure, Kansas City would have been closer; however, I still suspect that KC is going to get the Mexico game this time around.

The Rum Tax

September 10, 2008
Toyota Park
Bridgeview IL
2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifier: USA v Trinidad and Tobago

Twenty-four-hour bus trips are the best worst things ever.

Around thirty of us piled onto a bus in St. Paul on a Wednesday morning, headed for Chicagoland and a USMNT qualifier with T&T. Bruce (of duNord fame) organized the trip.

As is to be expected, we also loaded the bus with coolers filled with miscellaneous drinks. Some of the younger members of the group took the seats towards the back; the restroom was also in the back. They started imposing a bathroom tax: in order to get to the bathroom, you had to take a shot of rum. This was a good trip.

We arrived a couple of hours before the game and enjoyed milling around the tailgate. The game itself was relatively forgettable; the US cruised to an easy 3-0 win.

We then got back on the bus and headed back to the Cities. I remember it being a brutal ride back, as I started getting sick. I'd come back from a week-plus trip to Miami and Montreal two days before the game, so my body was rebelling. All in all, though, I'd probably do it all again.

The High Cost of Licking Stamps

US Soccer announced today that they have tickets available for the game in San Pedro Sula. The tickets are $44 each, limit of four per order... and shipping of at least $15 per order.

Seriously, USSF? $15 to put tickets in an envelope and send them?

At least you no longer have to fax an application...

You Never Forget Your First Time

I know when my first time was:

September 3, 2005
Columbus Crew Stadium
Columbus OH
2006 FIFA World Cup Qualifier: USA v Mexico

Six of us met at a friend's place in St. Paul in the wee hours of September 2 and got on the road; I didn't really know what I was in for, to be honest. I'd only been a "supporter" for a few months, which is how I met these jackasses*. Hell, the guy who was sharing driving duties in my car—known to most as Lightning Striker—made me a bit nervous. Twelve hours later, however, we arrived in Columbus with no incident.

* - Jackass is used here as a term of endearment.

There, the fun began.

About the Jackass Author

Usually an introductory post comes at the beginning of a new blog; in this case, I'm a bit late to the party (as if that's new).

So, for those of you that don't know, I'm Kevin; my friends, by and large, call me "kj". I'm a thirty-seven-year-old web developer and have lived in Minneapolis since 1997; I grew up in the St. Louis area. I'm generally considered tall—around six-foot-five—and... well, there's no sugar-coating this: fat. (Heh. "Sugar-coating".)

Love. Travel. Soccer. Forever. Intense. Passion. Obsession. USA.

[Five-and-a-half Internets to anyone who can identify the title inspiration.]

As is my wont, now that I've booked my flights to San Pedro Sula, I'm obsessing over arranging the details.

The American Outlaws' e-mail suggested the Hilton Princess, and even suggested that the team might be staying there as well. Hilton's a well-known property, it's supposedly in the nice part of town... and it's $189/night. Look, I'm paranoid about this whole thing, but I'm not made of money.

They also mentioned the Boutique Hotel la Cordillera. It's not far from the Hilton, and is $88/night; the price includes free wi-fi and the reviews I've found online have generally been very positive. After logging into BigSoccer for the first time in forever, I heard from someone else who's planning to stay there; they said they know of others who will be staying there, so I booked and got that out of the way.

Given all the warnings, I'm considering getting a security wallet or some such. After a small amount of searching, I found one I think might fit the bill. I haven't yet ordered, so if anyone has suggestions on such things, I'd love to hear them.

I had hoped that AO was going to put those that responded to their original request in touch with each other so we could coordinate things, but that doesn't seem to be the case. I'll just have to rely on my naturally-charming personality... er, maybe that's not the best idea.

I'm already nervous about getting from the airport to the hotel (and vice versa), and the hotel to/from the stadium; I suspect traveling in numbers will help issues on that front.

I also have to decide if I want to take my camera. I really want to be able to take pictures of the journey, but I'm worried about all the warnings about not showing things like that in public. It's not exactly a top-of-the-line camera, but I don't know that anyone looking to steal it is going to care about that. I'm also debating about my laptop and/or phone; I can probably do without the laptop, but if I can get a SIM card for my phone, that seems like something that would be helpful.

Excuse Me as I Hyperventilate

After getting (a little) info from American Outlaws, as well as some other sources, I've booked my flights to/from San Pedro Sula. I arrive on Tuesday afternoon and leave Thursday afternoon. I'm definitely nervous about this whole thing... but here we go.

Package Size

As I wait for American Outlaws and/or US Soccer to get me some information about Honduras (seriously, throw me a bone here; I've got time off to weasel), I've been looking at AO's package deals they've set up for the games in Mexico City and Jamaica.

I've not been to Jamaica, so I can't really speak to the alternatives that are available. I did, however, go to Mexico City for the qualifier in 2009.

AO is offering two packages: the first is for game ticket and transportation to and from the game for $175; the larger $585 package adds two nights in a hotel (double occupancy) plus airport transportation. The hotel is in the Zona Rosa, a very touristy part of the city.

Before I start breaking this down, I first want to thank AO for the work they've been putting in on getting people to US games. There were approximately three hundred US fans at the 2009 qualifier; given that Azteca has a reputation for being inhospitable, I call that a success.

That being said, I don't think the package offers what I want out of travel. Perhaps it's just because I'm cheap, but that price tag doesn't quite seem worth it.

Presenting: the Un-Sexy Hexy

2013 comes with a mission for US Soccer: Making the 2014 World Cup, to be held in Brazil.  The last hurdle to that goal is CONCACAF's fourth round of qualifying, known "the Hex": ten games against Costa Rica, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, and Panama.  The top three qualify directly to the World Cup; the fourth has to play a home-and-home qualifier against the top team from OFC (which will likely be New Zealand).

I've decided that my mission in 2013 is to go to all ten of the games in the Hex.  I'm still not sure that this is at all feasible, but I'm determined to make a go of it.  The biggest question is getting time off; I think I'll be able to make the travel reasonable if I put some effort into doing it somewhat frugally.

The first game is February 6 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

Honduras being first makes me a bit nervous.  To be truthful: I've not traveled much outside of my comfort zone.  Sure, I did make the trip to the Azteca in Mexico City in 2009, but D.F. sounds like a cakewalk compared to what I've heard about Honduras these days.  Plus, it helps when you have friends going with you, including those who've gone before.

I haven't bought my plane tickets yet because I've been waiting to hear from the American Outlaws about who else is going.  US Soccer has said they'll help arrange some security for travelers, but will only be able to do that if fans will be staying at the same hotel.  (So, AO... throw me a bone here, eh?)