So, FC Dallas hosted the Colorado Rapids in a doubleheader recently, with the second half of the doubleheader featuring Club America vs. Everton, Mexican League vs. English Premier League in what amounted to a preseason game. Because it started a little early and was a doubl
eheader, I got my guy to give me two passes to the Verizon Wireless Club, a Club area with tables and a few rows of seating, a large bar, and several food items available. Steve went with me and we decided to start out in the Club Level. On the way in, I saw
Ronnie O'Brien wandering around and told him hello, shook his hand, and asked him wen he would be back. He was friendly and seemed surprised that I recognized him. Not
long after that, we ran into
Roberto Mina and I told him I hoped he got back soon and patted him on the back. He was on crutches. Nobody seemed to recognize him either. Steve said he looked like he was about to give me a hug when I noticed him. So, on to the Club. It was not very full, but it was air conditioned and seemed pretty awesome. There were rows of stadium seats at the window through which we could watch the game. We later found that they were reserved ticketed seats, but not until after the first half. Turns out watching the game in there is not so great. There was absolutely no atmosphere. But it was cool, so that was OK for a little bit. FC Dallas looked pretty good. Early on a corner kick way across the face of the goal (far enough to prompt a scoff from Steve) was headed back on to
Bobby Rhine by Abe Th
ompson. Rhine easily converted to give Dallas the early lead. Sala again played well, and got a couple of saves while FC Dallas had a ton of early shots. In the 34th minute, though, Colorado scored off a free kick rebound to tie it up. During
halftime, Steve and I left and wandered around a little bit, revisiting our corn stand which was offering the same lime mayonnaise with sour cream added and put in a bowl instead of on the cob. By the time I got to it, though, it was cool and there was no spicy pepper on it, so it was not that great. Steve agreed that on the cob was better. The second half was more Dallas getting chances but unable to find the back ofthe net until the 80th minute when
Ramon Nunez erupted for two quick goals.
Kenny Cooper provided the coup de grace in the final seconds of the game, lobbing a little shot over the Colorado
goalie on a breakaway to provide the final score, 4-1. It was a fun game. But,
there was more. Wandering around berfore the start of the game, I saw
Abe Thompson and was able to congratulate him for a game well played. He thanked me. Then, it was time for game two. The stands forboth games, by the way, were almost full. Club America supporters were out in full force and full voice. It was a pretty neat environment. I was expecting that Everton would crush them. In a big way. The way the game started made it seem like that would happen. Everton got a free kick just outside the 17 yard box and curved the ball in right into the upper left corner. It was beautiful, unstoppable and seemed to signal the start of a rout. But, it never happened. America firmed up its defense a good bit. And, they got there offense clicking a little bit. Everton had one stud in the defensive line that seemed to clear everything that came his way. He was very good. But, Everton could not score. By the second half, we decide
d to try the wireless club again and were able to find a couple of unticketed seats that had a good view. In the closing moments, America was finally able to break through and scored to tie it up. At that point, nobody knew what was going on. The assumption by most was that there would be no settling of the tie, since it was an exhibition, but nobody on the field was going anywhere. Turns out, they were going into penalty kicks. Again, it seemed Everton would win. But, their fourth kicker drilled the crossbar and missed. America converted all five of theirs and won the game. The fans were quite excited. I thought the game was really cool. It made me look very much forward to next up: MLS All-Stars vs. Chelsea.
eheader, I got my guy to give me two passes to the Verizon Wireless Club, a Club area with tables and a few rows of seating, a large bar, and several food items available. Steve went with me and we decided to start out in the Club Level. On the way in, I saw Ronnie O'Brien wandering around and told him hello, shook his hand, and asked him wen he would be back. He was friendly and seemed surprised that I recognized him. Not
long after that, we ran into Roberto Mina and I told him I hoped he got back soon and patted him on the back. He was on crutches. Nobody seemed to recognize him either. Steve said he looked like he was about to give me a hug when I noticed him. So, on to the Club. It was not very full, but it was air conditioned and seemed pretty awesome. There were rows of stadium seats at the window through which we could watch the game. We later found that they were reserved ticketed seats, but not until after the first half. Turns out watching the game in there is not so great. There was absolutely no atmosphere. But it was cool, so that was OK for a little bit. FC Dallas looked pretty good. Early on a corner kick way across the face of the goal (far enough to prompt a scoff from Steve) was headed back on to Bobby Rhine by Abe Th
ompson. Rhine easily converted to give Dallas the early lead. Sala again played well, and got a couple of saves while FC Dallas had a ton of early shots. In the 34th minute, though, Colorado scored off a free kick rebound to tie it up. During
halftime, Steve and I left and wandered around a little bit, revisiting our corn stand which was offering the same lime mayonnaise with sour cream added and put in a bowl instead of on the cob. By the time I got to it, though, it was cool and there was no spicy pepper on it, so it was not that great. Steve agreed that on the cob was better. The second half was more Dallas getting chances but unable to find the back ofthe net until the 80th minute when Ramon Nunez erupted for two quick goals. Kenny Cooper provided the coup de grace in the final seconds of the game, lobbing a little shot over the Colorado
goalie on a breakaway to provide the final score, 4-1. It was a fun game. But,
there was more. Wandering around berfore the start of the game, I saw Abe Thompson and was able to congratulate him for a game well played. He thanked me. Then, it was time for game two. The stands forboth games, by the way, were almost full. Club America supporters were out in full force and full voice. It was a pretty neat environment. I was expecting that Everton would crush them. In a big way. The way the game started made it seem like that would happen. Everton got a free kick just outside the 17 yard box and curved the ball in right into the upper left corner. It was beautiful, unstoppable and seemed to signal the start of a rout. But, it never happened. America firmed up its defense a good bit. And, they got there offense clicking a little bit. Everton had one stud in the defensive line that seemed to clear everything that came his way. He was very good. But, Everton could not score. By the second half, we decide
d to try the wireless club again and were able to find a couple of unticketed seats that had a good view. In the closing moments, America was finally able to break through and scored to tie it up. At that point, nobody knew what was going on. The assumption by most was that there would be no settling of the tie, since it was an exhibition, but nobody on the field was going anywhere. Turns out, they were going into penalty kicks. Again, it seemed Everton would win. But, their fourth kicker drilled the crossbar and missed. America converted all five of theirs and won the game. The fans were quite excited. I thought the game was really cool. It made me look very much forward to next up: MLS All-Stars vs. Chelsea.
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