I love spontaneity, so much so, in fact, that my sisters and I often surprise one other (for better or worse) with concert tickets, sporting event opportunities and new dining places on a whim. Literally, it’s like “Surprise!... We are leaving in 5 minutes.”
As a HUGE soccer fan (and one that used to play on leagues back in AZ), I’m always watching soccer games on TV or looking up funny soccer videos on YouTube. Being so well-versed and updated on which teams will be playing when, it came as a big surprise to me when last Wednesday, my sisters surprised me with tickets to an exhibition match featuring LA Galaxy vs. Club Tijuana playing at the University of San Diego. I didn’t even know the teams were going to be in town. Apparently, they’d heard about the match from local news and purchased tickets a couple days before.
This preseason “friendly” was attended by David Beckham and Landon Donovan (both Galaxy’s star players) and Club Tijuana fans (who are known to be quite a rowdy bunch with endless team pride). What I love most about the sport is the fan experience that surrounds live soccer matches. So it should come as no surprise that I swallowed my American pride and actually rooted for Club Tijuana throughout the game. My sisters sided against me and rooted for LA Galaxy.
The venue at University of San Diego was called Torero Stadium and it provided an intimate environment that really harnessed a fun atmosphere for fans. One section of Club Tijuana fans didn’t let up on their cheering the entire game. Though not too large, Torero Stadium held about 5,000 seats, most of which were occupied on Wednesday night.
In the end, the game finished a tie and went into a sudden death shootout where Club Tijuana dominated.
My only grievance with the event was the parking situation, we had to park in a student parking structure clear across the USD campus and were shuttled to the main gates. Leaving the parking lot after the game took about 25 minutes, waiting at a stand still.
All in all, I had the true fan experience and my team won. Next, I have to top that with a surprise for my sisters. . . ideas are welcome.
RATING
5 out of 5
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