I have attended many sporting events in my lifetime, including a few important matchups or post-season showdowns. I have been to Lambeau Field, Fenway Park and even the old Chicago Stadium and none of the games I saw in those historic places can compare to the intensity that I experienced during the World Cup qualifier between the U.S. and Honduras Saturday night at Soldier Field.
It was reported before the match that is was going to be a pro-Honduran crowd. That was an understatement. I didn't think that many people that even live in Honduras, period. About 80 percent of the crowd was rooting for Honduras. Only Sam's Army provided a section that was a majority of U.S. fans.
Imagine going to Lambeau Field for a Packers game and watching 70,000 Bears fans singing, dancing and taunting -- before the game has even started.
I was completely stunned -- I had to remind myself that I was in Chicago, because it certainly didn't feel like it. Also, I have never been called more names by rival fans in a two- to three-hour period; again, all before the game. If you think Cubs fans are unruly, think again. Fortunately, the folks we sat with at the game were great. They were intense, but in the end, quite friendly.
I only had one rule within my section: they could call me whatever they wanted to in Spanish, but they had to at least translate it so I could laugh with them. It is a unique experience when someone yells something at you and you have no idea what they are saying, but the entire section cracks up with laughter. I laughed at a lot of Spanish jokes during the game -- I thought it was in my best interest.
I was fully prepared to ole' my butt off, but after the U.S. gave up yet another early goal in the fifth minute, I had eat a healthy dose of humble pie. Nobody celebrates success better than a soccer fan. Jubilation is not the word for it, but I simply stated to my new friends that it is a long game and thank God for that.
After calming down, the U.S. controlled the pace of play and created a few chances, while Honduras seemed to take its foot of the gas and bunker in a bit. The U.S. caught a break when a lobbing feed into the box from Oguchi Onyewu was handled, giving the U.S. a penalty shot.
The only thing I could compare the scene of Landon Donovan preparing to take the PK would be Lebron James nailing two last second-free throws to put the game into overtime. Although, James would only be carrying Cleveland on his back, not his entire country's chances to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
Donovan, to his credit, calmly buried the shot with such force that the ball could barely be seen in the air. He then celebrated in the corner, which happened to be very close to where I was sitting in the second row. What I didn't expect was the beer shower that rained from everywhere. The best thing thrown onto the field, other than $8 beers, was what appeared to be a Timberland boot. I was actually waiting for the foot to come reigning down later in the match.
Sitting that close, I could really get the feel for how fast world-class players handle the ball and how powerfully they deliver shots on goal. It's something that can't be picked up on TV. It's much like sitting courtside for a NBA game -- you don't realize how athletic these guys really are until you see them up close.
In the 68th minute, the U.S. took the lead for good on a diving header from Carlos Bocanegra. The transformation from dancing and euphoria by Honduran fans to absolute silence and disgust was amazing, but it sounded great.
As the U.S. hung on by the skin of its teeth, Sam's Army was in full throat. I made it a point not to celebrate too much -- you have to be careful with your behavior when on the road, err, in Chicago. In a very sportsmanlike fashion, the Honduran crowd continued to water the pitch with beer and, yes, the other Timberland made its way to the field.
The whistle blew signaling the American's 2-1 victory and some handshakes were given both on the field as well as in the stands. Some of the guys even took pictures with us as a sign of "friendship" as the U.S. players circled the field thanking the few brave souls that came out to support them.
It was definitely an experience I will never forget and I definitely plan on traveling for another game -- it was that much fun.
As for getting home, the bathrooms with only six urinals, the complete lack of parking, the inability to walk around with a beer, the complete lack of entrances or exits to Soldier Field and the utter lack of police presence for such a volatile event ... I'll just chalk those up to Chicago.
As for the U.S. team, it is in second place in CONCACAF behind Costa Rica and the chances for qualifying for the 2010 World Cup look good. For the next qualifier, the squad travels to Estadio Azteca in Mexico City to face a struggling Mexican squad. The Americans will be gunning for their first victory at Azteca. I think they have a shot, but I don't think I have to courage for that road trip.
