Chris Writing Anything

Previously, I had posted a short bit about an MLS soccer game. Today, after cringing at an effort from years ago, I had decided I’d write a more detailed description of this particular adventure…because, while there was apprehension, when the game finally arrived, the outing was a total success.

Okay, to give this more flavor, I’ll write this post as a narrative….

This past May…

I’m hating my choice. You see, I don’t have cable or satellite television. I stream my shows, which I watch sparingly. The Bally Sports app is twenty dollars a month, and, on this Thursday night, there’s no Brewers game. And last Saturday’s game, well, I certainly don’t want to relive that debacle. The truth is, I’m free two nights a week, and, since the Bucks season has ended, this local sports app seems worthless.

But, I want to watch sports. That being said, this summer, I really don’t want to suffer through dull baseball games. Half of the time, while the action is going on, I’m listening to two men, who are well groomed and seemingly intelligent, gossiping about the ramifications of some ill-tempered player’s suspension…or they’ll gab about some other pro baseball hot topic. I’m closing in on fifty, I have my own definition of right and wrong, and I don’t need it preached to me by two men who make their living by promoting Major League Baseball.

Plus, I’m pretty ticked at the MLB. I’ve been a fan of the Brewers since age eight. Back then, the games were free to watch, at least on television. Now, with cable network deals, if you want to follow your team, you have to spend a fortune. Whatever happened to exposure? Anyways, I have a message I would like to send…. “Dear Major League Baseball, besides your lengthy history, impact on this country and my understanding of the game, damn, I’m taking a break…yeah, MLB…get your crap together!”

So, I’m making a statement. Yet, even though I’m not going to overpay for sports television, my life would certainly be empty without viewing athletic competition. Man, I suck at steadfast boycotts. What I need is a substitute. I know of something that can replace baseball, and, years ago, I only spent six dollars a month.

Ughh… okay, the MLS is no longer on ESPN Plus, it’s on Apple TV…and I have to pay extra for it. The MLS Season Pass is fifteen dollars a month. However, games occur twice a week: Wednesdays and Saturdays. So, I can watch whatever soccer game I choose. I could easily catch the Wednesday game on Thursday, and, since games are played on Saturdays, I can spend those nights viewing soccer. Literally, the games start at six-thirty, and there’s constant coverage until around twelve o’clock. Now, compared to my Wisconsin sports app, this seems like a better deal.

Okay, I know, watching soccer isn’t free, and I just complained about exposure and overpaying. Yet, I’m going to cancel my Bally subscription. I mean, really, there’s more value in the MLS Season Pass. I figure multiple soccer matches on days off, versus one boring baseball game, is better bang for my buck. Yeah this is going to happen.

Sometime in June

As I watch a Minnesota United game, I’m reminded why the MLS interested me in the first place. About five years ago, I had watched the Seattle Sounders take on the Portland Timbers, and Portland’s Providence Park was rocking. Providence Park is a rather dated venue, and it seats around 24,000 fans. With my surround sound cranked and lively play on the field, my viewing experience was a blast.

Now, as I watch more MLS, I realize many teams use Portland’s formula. Instead of playing in large football fields, ones an ordinary MLS team couldn’t possibly sell out, many teams play in open arenas with a max capacity of about 20,000 people. These intimate settings, with a venue packed full of fans, make for raucous atmospheres. And with the Apple broadcasts, my sound system, well, I can feel the supporters’ drums vibrate throughout my living room.

And now, Lionel Messi, yes, the man hailed as the greatest soccer player in the world, Lionel Messi, has agreed to play for an MLS team. That’s it…I’m going to create a summer time viewing area on my enclosed sun porch. I already have an enormous TV in that entrance way; I just need to create some benches.

September

My birthday has arrived, and there was a small celebration. I’m satisfied with my small party. Yet, and I’ve been dreaming about it for years, I’d love to attend an MLS game. If I were to experience live professional action, I’d have to drive a bit; Wisconsin hosts no MLS teams.

Even if Chicago is closer, Minnesota United would be the team I’d choose. The two biggest reasons, and these are the clinchers, my sister lives in the Twin Cities and Allianz field has an excellent atmosphere. So, yes, as the fans from Minnesota call it, I’d love to be part of their Wonderwall.

I text my sister, explaining my desires. She responds by telling me that only she would be able to go, the family is strapped for cash.

Her statement, as it turns out, provides an enormous opportunity for me. In my life, I’ve never earned a ton of cash, and my sister and brother in-law have always been gracious. Seriously, I’d have missed plenty if it weren’t for Laurie and Norm. So, now, I’m going to pay for her, and her family, to experience the game with me. I have plenty of cash set aside, so, damn, and I know, I’m paying for my own fifty year old birthday present, but experiencing this with loved ones is what I want.

So, I find tickets to an October game. They’re general admission, so we’ll be sitting with the supporters.

This could lead to a phenomenal ending , or my efforts could be doomed…fingers crossed.

October 7th, Allianz Field

Well, I had two birthday parties this year, and now, after fajitas and cake, we’ve found our parking spot. The lot belongs to an area business, and it’s a four minute walk from the stadium. I paid thirty bucks for the pass, but the lot seems fairly secure, and the neighborhood seems safe.

We’ve arrived mega-early, while the game starts at 7:30, the clock has yet to strike 6:00. However, this pays off in so many ways. For starters, as we gain full vantage of the stadium, I’m awe-struck. Allianz Field looks like it belongs in a Sci-Fi movie.

What’s better, while we wait to enter the stadium, since the gates won’t open until six, we glimpse star players signing autographs.

This is an awesome opportunity, and I get a picture with MNUFC’s number ten Emanuel Reynoso.

It’s fan appreciation night, and, when the gates open, we’re greeted by a man with a bag full of goodies. After that, we saunter towards our seats.

When we reach our seats, I’m a bit stunned,

they’re not seats at all. Numerous tiers, accented with metal rails, rise from the field at a rather steep grade, and there’s no bench…nothing to sit on. “Shoot, I ran three miles yesterday.” I shrug laughingly as I inform our group. Still, as it’s now six, and the game will last until nine thirty, I’m actually wondering if my legs are up to the challenge.

I should mention, and I didn’t know this was mandatory soccer apparel, my sister had handed me a scarf before the game. I silently took the significant piece of cloth, oblivious to its importance. I just thought, since it was early October, and temps were expected to be in the forties, that this was a way of bundling up. Besides, she had also handed me a matching stocking cap.

First off, I discover one useful purpose for the scarf. Like I said, we had arrived very early; that’s because general admission seating is first come first serve. So, we brave the concrete tiers, find a great vantage half way up and survey the field.

I hear you asking, “Chris, what does this have to do with a scarf?” I’m getting to that. After talking for a short while, the fam decides to buy some food and shop the team store. Yet, will we lose are seats? I learn, and I guess this is customary, if we mark the rail with a scarf, people will know that spot is taken.

After we make it back, with the stadium slowly filling and the concourse buzzing, we watch the players warming up.

And as I spend some quality time with my sister’s fam,

I’m worried about the outcome of tonight’s match up. This year, the Loons have not won many home games. And I can hear baseball fans, as I’m sure they were angry when I bashed their sport, anyways, I can hear them chiding that all soccer is, and it certainly is true, is a bunch of men kicking a ball around.

Yet, some of the dribbling, passes, shots on goals, headers, saves…do you get it, there’s plenty of highlight reel material in any game…even if it ends in a tie 0-0.

I can hear you say, “C’mon Chris, do you know how dumb you sound?”

I’ll start my answer with this, how exciting is a pitcher’s duel, especially when watching it live? If you’re not sitting behind home plate, you’re really not seeing the pitch quality anyways. Plus, and this can’t be denied, in between each pitch, about ten seconds elapse, that’s a lot of waiting around.

I’ll finish my reasoning with this, while a soccer game can be scoreless, you’ll probably see tons of chances, and the entire stadium can witness the saves and blocks. Plus, and I have seen it happen, when time ticks on, each chance leaves you on the edge of your seat, that’s because a last minute goal can certainly clinch a victory.

I can also hear you say, “Yes, but how satisfying is a game when it ends in a tie?” Consider this, the MLS standings work on a point system. So, say your team is playing someone in their division, and your team is losing 1-0. The home team is in danger of giving three points to their rivals, but, uh-oh, a goal in stoppage time, and the good guys secured a point, and no ground is gained by the opposition. So yes, a last second tie is worth rooting for.

Anyways, introductions commence…

and, no, I didn’t take this photo, my sister did, and I’m jealous. Anyways, the game is under way…

and, with ice cold beverage in hand, I’m riveted.

Okay, I had mentioned the scarf before, now I’ll tell you how else fans use utilize this winter garment. During corner kicks, while the home team’s player is eyeing a wall of humans, we whip these cloths over our heads, twirling them around…kind of like Pittsburgh’s terrible towels…of course, if you’re standing near someone shorter than you, well corner kicks can become hazardous happenings…

To add to the scarf’s benefits, you could use it this way as well…

Damn it, Laurie!! You’re pics are awesome.

Anyways, as the game unfolds, and Clara, my niece, and myself jump to the supporters’ drums, trying to get the words right to a number of home team cheers, we’re treated to a record breaking performance. Temu Pukki, a Minnesota United striker, scores four goals in the match, and Minnesota United destroys the LA Galaxy 5-2.

The atmosphere is nothing like I’ve ever experienced before. I think the closest comparison would be University of Wisconsin football games. Yet there’s a different buzz about this crowd, and I feel the energy liven my being.

Yet, even as the referee blows the final whistle, the festivities aren’t quite over. As it has been customary, at least in the supporters section, the fans are bound by one last victory anthem…Oasis’s Wonderwall.

We sing it into the Autumn night…a euphoric ballad that caps off a perfect night.

When we leave, there’s an electricity amongst the fans. The playoffs, with this win, are still within Minnesota United’s reach. Come the next two weeks, those hopes will be dashed. Anyways, this moment, this night, will glow in my mind, a harmonizing memory that touched my soul for many weeks to come.

Have an Excellent Day!!