For a moment, the thought entered our minds. Was this going to be another EME like last year? (Extraordinary Meteorological Event). I woke up to a nice driving rain which turned into a sleet/ice mixture in the early afternoon. My wife, with the kids in the back, gave me the "maybe I should've stayed home" look as we drove to Greg's house before arriving at the game.
With the sangria in the back, there was nothing that was going to stop me from going. Remembering is a whole other story. But on we went. Greg, John and I arrived together, with the wife and kids to join us later. Once we pulled in, it was clear there was a new owner of the team.
For the first time, in this the 11th year, it actually felt you were pulling up to a professional soccer game. There were banners of each player draping the outside of the stadium. There was the energy station. There was an air of optimism I haven’t felt in a long long time and it was the opening day tailgate, which I look forward to immediately after the end of the prior years opening day tailgate.
All of the idiots showed up, except for: a) Drew, who received a last minute legal assignment from Jack Bauer; b) Paul, who came down with a serious case of the sniffles and c) Jason, who went to see a Broadway musical, which, thankfully, negated the need to have zimas and quiche at the tailgate.
We feasted on empanadas, chicken and steak kebabs, and burgers. Everything else is kind of a blur, as by the time we entered, I was probably on my 6th glass of sangria. So here’s what I remember:
1. The parachute jumpers made a great entrance as the crowd went crazy. It was awesome.
2. David had too many cookies.
3. Elana looked like a pink marshmallow.
4. Thank god we had the tent.
5. I still had Drew’s rain pants from a few years back. Thankfully didn’t need ‘em.
6. From those that went, the Energy Station was pretty cool, with red couches and a mini concert.
7. I saw the ball hit the post. I later found out it was Buddle who shot it.
8. The Red Bull bandanas were a nice surprise.
9. The grass looked awesome and the fact that the Red Bulls covered the blue walls of the stadium with burgundy banners (much like the Jets do when they play there) was awesome and completely unexpected.
10. I saw Pele on the field. I think.
11. David lead a few Red Bull chants (during, after and currently).
12. Thank God Red Bull bought the MetroStars. (marketing...I think they might be on to something.)
13. Dana told me I had a really good time (and all my friends are still talking to me).
14. Ronaldo? Can’t even imagine that.
15. I saw a bunch of the highlights on www.mlsnet.com, it looked like a decent game with everything but the scoring.
16. Franchino was subbed before we got a chance to yell at him.
17. I didn’t pronounce Chiléan correctly.
18. The halftime show was pretty good. Except Shakira came on for 3 minutes while the other guy was on too long. (If you breath, let me hear you make some noise).
19. Love the new uniforms.
If anyone else wants to remind me of what happened, just add...