When a Mexican journalist asked Landon Donovan if he was disappointed that there were Mexican fans but no American fans at Crew Stadium for Tuesday's final practices ahead of Wednesday's World Cup qualifier, Donovan expressed confidence that American fans would make their presence known soon enough.
"They're coming," Donovan said. "They'll be here tomorrow."
He wasn't lying.
U.S. national team fans from all over the United States (43 different states according to U.S. Soccer) have converged (and are converging) on Columbus for tonight's USA-Mexico match and the evidence was on display at Claddagh's Irish Pub in Columbus on Tuesday night. Sam's Army, the U.S. national team's longest serving Supporter's Group, hosted a party that was truly a summit of American soccer fans. You had D.C. United fans and New England Revolution fans cheering alongside New York Red Bulls fans. You had LA Galaxy jerseys and Seattle Sounders jerseys. Club allegiances were set aside in favor of love of country and hatred for the U.S. national team's biggest rival.
I met fans from California, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, New York, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Minnesota, Texas and Washington last night. Some fans drove, some flew in, some took buses and some took trains. They all made it though and all were filled with excitement about a match that means more to American fans than some observers realize.
More and more U.S. fans realize how important this game is, and how significant it is for them to be here, in this rainy Midwestern town to cheer on a team that has dominated Mexico so thoroughly in recent years that Mexican fans and media actually sound doubtful that Mexico can win tonight.
After cheering for an underdog for so many years, U.S. fans are now cheering for the favorites, the champions of CONCACAF, a new role for the U.S. national team, a role that has fans from all over the United States eager to see them and cheer them on.
That will be on display tonight, when Crew Stadium is awash in red and fans from every corner of this country will sing in unison and show Mexican fans (and journalists) that they have grown as a group just as the U.S. national team has grown.
I’m sick to my stomach that I can’t be there, expecially since I have such fond memories of Crew Stadium (WC 2006 Qualifier against Mexico). For good reasons, my wife put her foot down on letting me go to this game.
Dis is goin 2 be da best game fo da year……..Its goin 2 b really crazy………..MEXICO!! MEXICO!! MEXICO!! MEIXCO!!
3-1
4-0!!
My stupid indoor league scheduled a game for 8 tonight, so I’ll be catching it on the DVR – can’t wait!
BRAVO IVES, BRAVO!!!
USA Mexico 2005 from Columbus on ESPN-Classic right now. More goosebumps. Can’t wait for tonight. Go USA!
Goosebumps. Can’t wait!!
Nope it’s on HD too if you check espn
Will the game actually be broadcast in HD? Just being on ESPN2 doesn’t always mean it will be in HD. I am hoping…
I have a ticket but cant make it. Its kiling me.
“IT” Will not win tonight thou. GO USA.
I want to see pics from the pub!
in st pl mn… heading to the sweetwater… any other takers? the place should be packed.
usa!
Ives–please get a post going soon about the Nashville game so we can make some plans–It won’t be as intense as US-Mexico so I doubt we can just stumble into a bunch of US fans, we need to organize that one! Too many bars downtown close to the stadium to pick from–oh what a wonderful problem to have!
I live in Western Ky where the weather leaves us and hits columbus in 2-3 hours, and I can tell you it’s going to be windy as all get out. About dinner time tonight is when you will be seeing the 50-60 MPH gusts we’ll be getting around 3 pm. It’s going to be a bad night for keepers to chase those high floating shots. Keep the ball on the ground boys!
I’m not even American but am looking forward to a great game, a win for the US. I’m so excited…not getting much work done.
Here is a Chant for anyone going to the GAME. Scream it! OLE OLE OLE OLE GRINGOS, GRINGOS OLE OLE OLE OLE GRINGOS GRINGOS. Good article Ives.
I will be making my way to the Sam’s Army party.
USA! All the way!
Can we get a “Shut Up Sven!” chant started in the Nordecke tonight?
USA can kiss my ass….
Mexico has to and will win!!
MEXICO MEXICO MEXICO!!!!
2-0
Seattle is all for the 3-1 USA
Azteca is ours!!
I’m leaving work early and driving down to Long Beach today. Does anyone know of a good bar I can go to watch?
Pleasepleasepleaseplease don’t let the weather ruin this one.
I’ll be watching on ESPN 360 as I design the sports pages tonight. I’m not missing out on much, all my soccer buddies have to work tonight, as well.
3-1 USA, Gooch, Donovan and Altidore for the U.S., Pardo from the penalty spot.
@ D Sad:
The good, but sadder thing, is that the match is actually not even competing with Duke-N.C. UConn-‘Cuse is on at 7 ET on ESPN, the Duke game is following with an uber late 9 ET start.
USA!!! USA!!!
yep it’s competing with UNC vs. Duke on ESPN and ‘the powers that be’ would never want to put a high profiled game on normal ESPN…………lame
Rocco, the game is on the Deuce in HD.
The atmosphere from the USA vs. Russia hockey game at Lake Placid in 1980 can never be re-created, but this is as close as we’ll get. USA ALL THE WAY!!!
USA 4 – mex 0
I hope the game is carried on HD on ESPN.
love the commitment quakes fan, always take the start times for granted on the east coast.
Been looking forward to this day for weeks
i got goosebumps reading this piece. wow!!!
can’t wait for the match tonight.
ives, for everything that you do with this site, which by it’s nature adds to this type of hype/experience, thank-you.
usa, usa, usa!!!!!!!
I got to work early so I could leave early in order to be home for the 4pm start (pacific time). This match up is the one that by far gets me most pumped up. I hope the weather doesn’t hinder the match flow all that much. A 2-0 score would be priceless.
The over is a lock for this game.
“And thats the way we like it, we like it, we like it”. Thats going to be a great game. I am from Columbus but live in Nashville. I decided to go to the Trinidad game. Very sad to missing the game tonight.
Beat Mexico!!!
Coming from WV – not sure if it was one of the 43 reported.
wind conditions look crazy.
The U.S. will need to curtail their emotion and execute their game. Erikson is a good tactician, and you can be assured the Mexicans will come techinically prepared. No question they will be psyched up for a win on U.S. soil. Go USA!
Leaving Michigan at noon, ready to party and sing and hopefully stay dry
Chicago bus is now en route…..they’ll see you guys this evening.
Was there in 2005 and it pains me not to be there this time around. Wednesday qualifiers BLOW, especially when you have to drive 10 hrs from Brooklyn.
Mb that would be brilliant! I can’t wait to see this game tonight! I’m cutting my last two classes to make it in time with 4 of my buddies who are driving up from Ohio U. Dos a Cero, The Yanks are comin’!
USA! USA! USA! I think the final score will be 3-1 in favor of the boys in red, white, and blue! I really wouldn’t mind a clean sheet for TH though.
it’s going to be an interesting night with the weather. Storms look pretty intense that are coming through
it would also be nice to see some former US MNT players mingle in with Sam’s Army and lead some chants. can you imagine Brian McBride in his old jersey in the stands with painted blood on his face (ala Johnny Depp in once upon a time in mexico http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/iwantjohnnydepp/Johnny%20in%20OUTIM/gloves2.jpg) leading the chants? awesome.
Aye ya ya ya, somebody stole my sumbrero…. that dirty old rat, has stolen my hat, and now i have nothing to wear-o………… wear-o
Hey Ives, can we get some pics?
I agree with Wispy! I wish I were there. Go US!
let’s hope the stadium is full of red and in good voice. and that we thoroughly demoralize Mexico and its fans. i’d like to see Torres score a goal and then kiss the crest. amen.
hell ya! 2-0! 2-0! I’m ready for tonight! throwin a lil party at my house. this is MY superbowl!
God, it’s KILLING me not to be there.