12/21/24
July 11, 2004
USA vs Poland at Soldier Field in Chicago tonight!!: Anyone else going? I'm going! Can't wait. Though I heard that Poland is bringing their "C" team. At least 80% of the players called up have never been capped. After that, its the Fire vs New England...but i don't know if i am going to stay for that. Depends on how expensive the beer is!
posted by StarFucker to soccer at 01:32 PM - 26 comments
I'll be watching it at a friend's place. Kind of sad that Polski aren't taking it more seriously, but it should be an interesting game at any rate. Have fun, SF.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:41 PM on July 11, 2004
I'm watching on TV. If this is the Polish C team, we are not the 7th best side in the world I tell you that! McBride screwed the pooch on a PK and other than Landon and Beasley, no one seems to have much offensive energy. Though Wolff seems to have missed out on a PK in the first minute of the second half through a blown call by the ref.
posted by billsaysthis at 07:06 PM on July 11, 2004
Just turned on the game, too. With the match afterwards, it got me thinking that of all the sports, basketball is really the only sport where you see masses of top players not play for non-injury reasons (and I don't include "rest" into that category).
posted by jmd82 at 07:26 PM on July 11, 2004
Well, shit.
posted by jmd82 at 07:35 PM on July 11, 2004
Well, w00t!!!
posted by jmd82 at 07:47 PM on July 11, 2004
(Wow, that was a beautiful goal!)
posted by jmd82 at 07:48 PM on July 11, 2004
Yeah well their total inability to finish was giving me heart attacks in the moments leading up to USA's goal. I mean, honestly, that one kick from the 18' was so far off the mark, it didn't even come close to the net.
posted by insomnyuk at 08:00 PM on July 11, 2004
Bocanegro's goal was nice, but should've been save by that defender on the line. This game had better light a fire under Arena's team's ass. They should've had this 3 or 4-0 easily. Kudos on the Chicago crowd though. Noisy as hell and just under 40k is great. I'm looking forward to SF's report (should he remember anything). How much were the tickets, anyways, SF? Just curious.
posted by Ufez Jones at 01:46 AM on July 12, 2004
Let me get this straight, Mcbride actually shagged a dog? Is that legal?
posted by Fat Buddha at 03:50 AM on July 12, 2004
It's the USA mate. You remember the film Deliverance? They're all like that.
posted by squealy at 04:44 AM on July 12, 2004
It's the USA mate. You remember the film Deliverance? They're all like that. ...says the guy named "squealy".
posted by Ufez Jones at 08:13 AM on July 12, 2004
Touché.
posted by squealy at 09:14 AM on July 12, 2004
I want to know for whom did the Polish-American goons (who are normally Chicago Fire fans) cheer for?
posted by NoMich at 09:34 AM on July 12, 2004
I wish I had known about this earlier. I stepped on the train yesterday and saw 50 people painted red and screaming.
posted by corpse at 10:39 AM on July 12, 2004
Got some bad weed again, corpse?
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:48 AM on July 12, 2004
If it was the weed that producing the 50 screaming, painted people, then it's really, really good weed. I'm afraid bad weed wouldn't have done a thing for him.
posted by NoMich at 12:16 PM on July 12, 2004
NoMich, there were as many Polish supporters in the crowd as USAians. Announced attendance was just under 40k, pretty good by me.
posted by billsaysthis at 05:07 PM on July 12, 2004
Okay...well it was a great time! I was loaded by the time i got there...people everywhere! Very crowded...but everyone was so nice and polite it was almost surreal. Inside the stadium there were so many hot girls around i kept bumping into people and tripping over myself. Polish girls are very good looking and really friendly. Of the 40,000 there i think only 1000 were rooting for the US. Great atmosphere all around. One of my friends who came with me said that he was deliberately trying to get a rise out of some of the Polish fans by yelling USA!! in their faces, but they just smiled back and yelled POLSKA!! It was funny. It was also very freakin' loud!! And when Poland scored i thought the place was going to shake apart. The game was good too. You could tell the Poles weren't very experienced but they ran their asses off. I figured it would be that kind of game. All the players that Janas called up were kids who never played at International level. He was proud of them i'm sure. The US couldn't really get a rhythm as the Poles hustled after every ball...egged on by the crowd i'm sure. The noise never stopped and it really felt like the US were the visiting team. Both goals were really sloppy but at least there were some. 1-1 was a fair result. My throat hurts from yelling and i'm quite hungover. But it was the best game i've ever been to. From the pleasant Poles, to the girls to the atmosphere...i hope they come to Soldier Field again real soon. The tickets were 45 bucks, 5 dollars for some kind of fee and the total came out to 51.50. We were sitting just to the left of Howard's goal in the first half. We stayed there since there weren't any available seats open like there usually are during Fire games. I'm going to the Manchester United vs Bayern Munich game in 2 weeks as well. That will also be at Soldier Field. It should also be a good time. Are any of you coming to Chicago for this game?
posted by StarFucker at 11:38 PM on July 12, 2004
after alluding to the result in the 8th or 9th comment we now see the scoreline 19 comments in. i am patient but also lazy.
posted by gspm at 01:23 AM on July 13, 2004
Here are some pictures i found floating around on the web from the game since i don't have my own... 
Interesting threads here about the game from some blog... [url]http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?s=5c50c1e10beaa55b6e58eb50eb13b302&t=122908&page=2&pp=15[/url] [url]http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122887[/url] 
Looks like my url tags didn't work... But they are worth taking a look at...
posted by StarFucker at 01:47 AM on July 13, 2004
Another page of pictures from some dude... http://www.palkasoft.com/danglaz/PolandvsUSApics.htm The more i look back on it, the more i am convinced that it was one of the most fantastic experiences i have ever "experienced..." I should have approached some of the hotties that were there a bit more...they were so friendly it was like i was David Beckham. And mind you, i'm not at all that good looking or ugly or anything. I'm pretty average. But the quality of women that were engaging me in conversation was something of note...for me and for ALL men... The url's i posted above are indicative of the highlights of what i saw while i was there...it was pretty much a supermodel runway. It was the best of both worlds...great football, great women. You can't ask for more than that. Which is why i like to watch Sky Sports News when Kelly Dalglish is hosting. Buddha might know a bit about that, but of course, he may not think Kelly is very attractive... If i may for just a second, try to convince you to come to Chicago next time Poland is playing the US...it is by far the best thing to do while in Chicago.
posted by StarFucker at 02:43 AM on July 13, 2004
There is a saucy posh lady on skysports who hangs around in the tunnel, but I don't think she is Kelly Dalglish.
posted by Fat Buddha at 02:55 AM on July 13, 2004
Thanks for the updates, SF. FWIW, I saw Polish banners from NYC and Milwaukee contingents too, which may account for the rather lopsided attendance. That made for a more fun game, though, IMO. The Pub I watched the Euro final at had a raffle for tickets for two to the Man U. v. Bayern game, including hotel and airfare. Sadly, I didn't win.
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:21 AM on July 13, 2004
Kelly Dalglish? I thought you said Kenny Dalglish (Liverpool great). Are they related? Kelly is all woman. Whoooo. Btw, nice roundup, SF, and good pix. We need more pix.
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:36 PM on July 13, 2004
Kelly is Kenny's daughter...
posted by StarFucker at 02:32 AM on July 14, 2004
"Tonight...i might get loaded...on a bottle of wine, on a bottle of wine. Gonna feel alright...FEEL alright..." The above is from a song by Los Lobos. Can't remember the name. Great song for getting loaded. Which is what we are doing now on our way to the match! I wish i had a camera, i would post some pics. Well, i'll let you all know about it when i get back. Probably tomorrow.