MLS view from West Harlem coming up

[finnster01]

Just to let you know that I have secured tickets for the New York Redbull vs LA Galaxy on August 28th.

This will be my first experiment with MLS and I will post a very honest and neutral review of the experience and the match as well as what I think of the quality of play. My seats are way up in the sky but I'll make the best out of it. I had to scalp tickets as it is sold out already.

Anyway looking forward to it. One old man vs another barring injuries, Beckham vs Henry. Haven't seen any of them since my Cottage days. Should be fun.

I have taken the train past the stadium several times and I must say it looks very nice from a distance but I will get back with another review after the experience. It is a bit of pain to get there from where I live as the stadium is close to Newark but it is what it is.

I reckon I will rack up enough Redbull to keep me awake for the following week. 

[finnster01]

This should probably be moved to the expat section but I have no idea how to do that.

Could any of the mods please help me out.

Thanks

[finnster01]

Thanks Mr Ridge Rider

[michaelread]

looking forward to it.

I recently bought my first season ticket to the Newcastle Jets here in the A-League, would do something similar if it garnered enough interest. (i fear not)

[Logicalman]

Thanks Mr Ridge Rider

Don't you EVER sleep Finn?   

[finnster01]

Thanks Mr Ridge Rider

Don't you EVER sleep Finn?   

Mr Logicalman I do, but I find myself in my old age back on war duty hours. 4 hours on, 4 hours off. I rpobably sleep no more than typicall 6 hours every 24 hours and then eventually it all catches up with me and I have a very sleepy weekend.

It works well for me as I have to deal with Europe, The Far East and the US so the time zone admin is less of a hassle. This is all a good thing but with old age also comes the inability to order a ruby after a night on town, drink 6 pints of lager whilst waiting for the dish, and properly insult the waiter during the process. I can't do that anymore.

[Logicalman]

This is all a good thing but with old age also comes the inability to order a ruby after a night on town, drink 6 pints of lager whilst waiting for the dish, and properly insult the waiter during the process. I can't do that anymore.

Memories, eh? Too right.     How many times did you wake up to a cold ruby left by the sink on a Sunday morning and just scoff it down for breakfast, like I did?  Seems the Prawn Crackers always went missing though - they must have been the drunken supper.

Looking forward to this report, sir.

[SoCalJoe]

Looking forward to your match report Mr. Finn. Just out of curiosity, how much were the tix and where will you be sitting?

[finnster01]

Looking forward to your match report Mr. Finn. Just out of curiosity, how much were the tix and where will you be sitting?

Two tickets purchased at StubHub.com for a total of 108.35 US Dollars (including the stupid fee). Seats are up top in a corner. If I wanted good seats it would have been 100+ each and I am not spending that. Bad enough as is. I know between travel, food and beers it will hit the wallet more than I would have liked. I have no clue what the original face value is.

But I guess the premium goes up when it is a sell-out.

[HatterDon]

Wow, I'm betting you'd pay half that or less for a home match against Real Salt Lake or Colorado Rapids.

One thing to look out for and report about is a good Londoner's take on our new soccer-specific stadia. I'd like how you rated the sightlines, the proximity to the pitch, the general atmosphere, etc.

And have fun. 

[Steve_orino]

Great news Finn - we hope you enjoy.  Should be a decent match, the first one in LA was quite entertaining.  Plus, both teams have some of the higher priced talent in the League...

**To see the future of American Soccer**
May I suggest taking a trip to Philadelphia whenever Seattle, Real Salt Lake or FC Dallas (my local team) come to town.  All 4 teams have been "organically grown" and should be put on a pedestal by the League for how they want teams to be built.  Philadelphia plays an organized, defensive style and they look to hit you on the counter (you've seen that with Hodgson ball).  Not the prettiest but the team is only in its 2nd year of existence & their manager, Peter Nowak, is very reputable.  Seattle, RSL, & FCD all play a prettier style of the game and are balance between their defence & offence (see what I did there). 

I'm looking forward to your report...maybe Mr. HD can proofread it before you post 

[finnster01]

Looking forward to your match report Mr. Finn. Just out of curiosity, how much were the tix and where will you be sitting?

Two tickets purchased at StubHub.com for a total of 108.35 US Dollars (including the stupid fee). Seats are up top in a corner. If I wanted good seats it would have been 100+ each and I am not spending that. Bad enough as is. I know between travel, food and beers it will hit the wallet more than I would have liked. I have no clue what the original face value is.

But I guess the premium goes up when it is a sell-out.

Just got the tickets today. Face value was 30 dollars each. Take away the stupid processing fee (i.e. the fact that nobody but yourself and a computer does any work) I paid 47 bucks per ticket. In other words, less of a rip-off than I thought (i.e. read Yankee stadium which is an absolute outrage). After all, it is probably the biggest home game of the year in terms of interest (other than the All Star gane)

The sad truth is there is not much one can do in New York for less than 30 dollars. Especially in sports.

[AmericanJames]

Enjoy, it should be a good night out, hope the quality of football is good and the refs are on top of their game (as sadly is usually not the case). I have been to games in Chicago and Toronto and both have been a good time.

[BarryP]

I hope you enjoy it and I am looking forward to reading about your experience.

[FatFreddysCat]

Really looking forward to the report from Finny.I'm sure he'll be very truthful, either very surprised by how good it is, or brutally honest by  describing the crap standard.