Drove in leisurely Tuesday afternoon to our hotel. I went inside to check in while Robert handled the valet. Immediately spotted Bob Bradley walking by. Then Frankie Hejduk talking to some folks. What the heck have I stepped in to? Could it be the team hotel?
Don’t panic, I kept telling myself. Play it cool. Head to the counter and check in. Glance to the right. Boca is here! Boca is here! Breathe. Gooch. Landon. Tim. Breathe.
But I could not concentrate. The guy behind the desk was asking all kinds of questions.
Is a double bed OK? No. Concentrate. Don’t look behind you. Must text Robert.
Will a handicap room be fine? Sure. Concentrate. Don’t be one of those obvious fans. Breathe. Text Robert NOW!
Headed back towards the front door, plastic keys in hand. Took quick glance to the left. Still there. Oh my God, they are still here! Bolt out the door to find Robert collecting our luggage. He can see the bewildered look in my eyes. The players are inside I breathlessly mumble. Hurry.
Walked coolly past the group. Lock eyes with Boca. He smiles. I smile. Heart melts.
Park bags behind a pillar. At that moment, Dempsey is getting off the elevator. Grab my camera out of my bag and ask Robert if he wants his picture taken with him. Shy Robert says no. Not me. Camera in hand, I pass it to Robert. I want my picture with Boca. Only Boca. Barrel toward him and apologize for interrupting him. He is talking to Gooch and Donovan. Donovan shoots me a glance. Not sure what it means. But I see “I can’t believe you are interrupting me.”
Boca smiles stand up. He puts his arm around me and Robert tells him I am his biggest fan. He smiles. Robert points and shoots. Moment captured. I thank him for the picture and bid him good luck in the match the next night. And skulk away. Don’t want to leave. The boys are here. I want to stay.
But don’t want to be one of those fans. So we head up to our room. I am still shaking. Primp and head back downstairs. They were gone. Moment over.Next stop: Claddagh’s for fan meet up. Had a fantastic night. Place was crazy busy and crazy fun. Great to see so many people we had met in so many cities and countries on our soccer adventures. And my high school friend Tony showed up for dinner and drinks.
Stayed out too late. Couldn’t sleep. Excited about meeting Boca. Seeing the boys. Excited about game ahead.
Woke late. Robert was antsy. He went downstairs to get some water and a brush since I forgot mine. Ran into Gooch on the elevator. He was on the phone with a friend. “Naw, dawg, I am in Columbus.” Nice moment.
Breakfast was over at the hotel by the time we got out of the room so we decided to walk to First Watch in the Brewery District. Our path led us directly in front of the Westin where Mexican fans were camped out for their national team. They started chanting, singing. Taunting us. I smiled. Said nothing but pointed to the U.S. emblem on my jersey over my heart and motioned 2-0 with my hands in the air. Deal with that reality guys!
Walked back to the hotel. Picked up our car. Back to Claddagh’s we go. It was packed again like the night before. Less noise but more anticipation.
Headed to Crew Stadium early because Marcel had heard parking would be tricky. And then the rain started. At first it was a trickle to tease us. But by the time we arrived, it was full on hard rain. We met up with Marcel and the rest of the D.C. contingent and had a makeshift tailgate. We wore rain ponchos and waterproof shoes. They were no match for the storm that lay ahead.
Got separated from Robert because I headed back to the car with Mike to put on more layers and replace my wet socks. On way back to tailgate, ran into Brian who also wanted to go to my car to put on warmer stuff. Was standing outside when the rain turned furious. Knocked on the window. Didn’t care if he was naked, I was coming in. For about 5 minutes the car was pounded with hail and some crazy hard rain.
Found out later, Robert was caught walking with Amy, Jon and Jeannette with the rainstorm hit. Robert grabbed Amy who seemed to be blowing away. They huddled and just stood waiting for it to pass.
Rain storm over but still raining, it was time to head into the stadium. Hour or so to game time.
Walked to our seats, the cold, bitter rain and wind beating us side to side. Adrenaline motivating us.
Boys took to the pitch. Excitement grew. Cheers and chants rang out. Game was on. Bradley’s first goal reinvigorated the freezing crowd before the first half ended.
And when Marquez attacked Howard cleats up, the supporter’s section grew louder. Dirty play. I kept selfishly praying for that second goal, but was content with the win. When Bradley lobbed one past Sanchez into the net, my voice strained from exhaustion, cold and excitement about the meaning of that goal.
That was it. It was over. Another victory over Mexico. Another fantastic game I witnessed.
The team cheered, celebrated, jumped up and down. Then came over to our supporter’s section. They cleared the fences; some took of their jerseys and lobbed them into the section. Boca’s was headed my direction, but a guy a few rows up caught it. Mike was standing near him. I told him to ask the guy if he would take $200 cash for the jersey. He said no. I would have offered more. I am sure he would have taken more later.
Exhausted, wet and exhilarated, we marched in our soggy shoes back to the car again dealing with the bitter cold rain beating us on the way. Back in the safety and warmth of the Aztek, we waited out the traffic until we could leave.
Must change before going out. Need dry clothes. Dave and Amy decided to head to the bar to wait for us while Robert, Mike and I head upstairs. We change and head to the bar to search for Dave and Amy. Amy, with a beer already in hand, has met a friend. We debate leaving or staying while exiting the bar. Just as we are departing, the team has arrived back. They players are moving so fast and filing into elevators that I can’t keep up. Spot Landon. Boca. Torres. And they are gone. Push through the crowd and see other players in the lobby talking with other fans. Gotta get my picture taken with them. Mike offers to take the pictures and I tell Amy to get in the pictures with me. I think Robert will be too embarrassed by the experience.
Frankie is sweet as always and very chatty.
Tim is even more tall, dark and handsome in person. He told Mike the red card was justified.
Gooch is adorable and very muscular.
Beasely is wee and seems a little annoyed. But the moments are over.
I overhear Bease say they have a 10:45 team meeting but that they are coming back down to party. Decision made. We are staying here.
Mike, Dave and I head back upstairs to drop off our coats while Robert takes Amy back to her hotel to change. Just as we near my room, I spot Jozy walking down the hall. I stop. Almost stunned and say something like, "It’s you" while opening my arms outward. He laughs does the same thing, almost mocking me in a cute way. I ask him for a picture and tell him I was thrilled he got into the game. Picture taken. He is on his way. We are on ours. Moment over.We settle into the hotel bar, found a table. Robert and Amy return with Jon. The night has wiped Jeannette out. She is in bed. I hope she doesn’t regret that. We get some drinks. Order some food. And then the players arrive. Boca arrives early and sits at the table next to us. This is seriously torture. I stare at him periodically. Have too. When am I going to have this opportunity again?
Tim arrives looking dapper in an almost tight black shirt and yummy jeans. Jon and Robert are having some man love also. Jon was starving so I go get him some popcorn and order some food. On the way back, I make eye contact with Tim. He smiles and says "Hi!" I smile and say "Hi!" What a moment!
Dan Califf and Heath Pearce also arrive. Don’t stay long. Ching shows up. Gooch hits the ATM behind us. I beg Amy to go get some money but she doesn’t it. She is shy cute like Robert.
Boca also talks to the table behind us. Jon asks for an autograph. I snap the picture. I regret not asking for an autograph. Too tortured.
The highlight was Bob and Michael Bradley showing up at the bar. They mingled and talked various folks. I had to talk to little Bradley again. He was very aloof when Robert and I had met him in L.A. But this time he was very sweet. Very good eye contact. Sexy bedroom photo eyes. I congratulated him on an amazing game. He really was amazing.
Bob and Michael cleared out. It was so cute to see Robert shake their hands and high five them as they left.
Team was gone. Place still packed. But we were exhausted. Night was over.
Another restless night. Thinking of brilliant game and amazing experience. Got ready, met Robert for breakfast. He went down early and ironically ran into John Harkes and Marcelo Balboa about game. He said Marcelo was cool because he missed an elevator and caught the next one to keep talking with him. Nice moment. Over.
After breakfast Robert went to fetch our car and check out, I went upstairs to get the rest of our stuff. Boy do I regret that. Robert ran into Boca who was walking around with his suitcase in the lobby. Damn. Could have had another random nice moment with Boca. Would have gotten an autograph. Or maybe just another sweet smile. Torture.
We loaded up our car. Our adventure was over.
We’ve stayed at the team hotel before. In Salt Lake City, we chatted with Brian McBride in the elevator. We had breakfast with the team the day of the game. It was great. But somehow this experience was so much more.
