Can a grown man actually get excited by making a trip to a sports stadium? Or maybe the question is "Should a grown man get excited by making a trip to a sports stadium?" Today we find out as the family and I go to Red Bull Arena for our first match. This is the culmination of quite a long period of longing for Soccer to take it's place in the New York Sports Firmament.
For me, it dates back to the late 70s when I would watch the Cosmos play before a sold out crowd at Giants Stadium on TV. As the lone soccer fan in the family (heck, the lone soccer fan in my town, maybe) I never did make it out to the Stadium to see them in person.
Then came the long dry spell after the fold of the NASL. Oh, I think there were a few indoor soccer games at Nassau Coliseum and as much World Cup as I could take in via TV, but until the Internet and Fox Soccer Channel, soccer as a pro sport faded into the background for me.
Now, I'm a season ticket holder in the best soccer stadium in America. I've been there twice already -- to pick out my seats and to get a great tour of the place by New York Red Bull Seth Stammler -- but tonight is the first match. And a sellout to boot. As I take it all in, I'll be sure to think about those memories of watching Shep, Georgio and Franz on our grainy 18" TV.
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