I took my wife (Dionne) to a soccer game last week at Qwest Field, Seattl
e. Powerhouse Brazil National Team was playing Canada National Team and it was the talk of the town for weeks as the game to see.
When we arrived at Qwest field to park, it was bumper to bumper as people were trying find parking before the big show. I parked in the Qwest Field parking lot, a cost of $30.00 (ouch), but well worth it as we were just steps away from the ticket gates.
We parked the car, got out and all you could hear was the "Samba" music playing in the background and waves of Yellow and Blue (brazil soccer colors) as people walked to the ticket gates. It was just crazy... Dionne had never experienced a soccer game, let alone with this magnitude. She was so excited to feel and enjoy the "soccer experience" that everyone was talking about.
As we were in line to check in, we noticed that security was tight and they were doing a pat down on everyone. This is great as we're in a new age of security precaution. The lines went smooth and no problems for that matter. OK....OK.... we go up the stairs of Qwest field and people are yelling, cheering, playing samba music, and experiencing the soccer experience.
Our seats were just awesome! We were 30 yards from the Brazil sidelines, behind the south side of the goal. As we took our seats... we noticed down below a WAVE of RED! OH CANADA... there must have been 100 people just in that section. They were waving the Canadian flag, wearing the Canadian soccer jerseys, and just being merry. But as we looked around the stadium, I noticed to my right music blasting, people yelling, and just YELLOW... i mean lots of YELLOW. They were soccer fanatics that were here to support BRAZIL.
The game got under way and the cheering, and music playing officially started... and lasted the whole game.
Brazil scored first, then Canada... and then Brazil again (2-1) right before going into the half. The half was a 15 minute break... enough time to get food, drinks, and a quick bathroom break. Understand you don't want to miss a minute of the game, especially when you are paying $65 per ticket (very worth it).
The game started again and was even more intense... Canada scored again and the game was tied 2-2. The Brazilian fans were still chanting and playing music, knowing that there team would score again. Within minutes Brazil did it, they scored again and made it 3-2... the fans went crazy, including Dionne. She was screaming from the top of her lungs.... "Yeah, Yeah, go BRAZIL"... I turned to her and saw that she was "experiencing the soccer euphoria" that you get when you're "in the game". That right there made it all worth it, the parking cost, the tickets, the food and drinks at the game. It felt like a MasterCard commercial... you know the $, for this, the $ for that, and at the end ‘MasterCard" jingle... I swear it felt like that. J
The game was over Brazil beat Canada 3-2. Everyone was just having a blast as the music was still going and pictures were being taken. I turned to Dionne and asked her to follow me as I noticed (Lupito) a friend of mine on the field as a cameraman that works for a local newspaper agency. I wanted him to take a picture of us together so Dionne could have on her desk at work and remember our great soccer game that we had together.
So, the game was officially over and we were making our way out the doors, when we noticed a large group of people in a circle chanting and playing more samba music... we got closer to see what the commotion was about. There were a group of people in the center of the group dancing "capoeira" and "samba". It was great to see this and to have an opportunity to experience "soccer fever" with Dionne.
We closed the night by going to dinner next to the Safeco Field & Qwest Field called"Jimmy's on First". THey were very friendly, clean and the food was just AWESOME! We noticed yellow and red jerseys and fans still talking about the Brazil vs. Canada soccer game when we arrived. At this time I just wanted to focus my attention on Dionne and have a great dinner. We ordered Garlic Fries, Buffalo wings and two large cokes.
The night was perfect... what a game and what an experience that we will never forget.
We're looking forward to the next soccer game match at Qwest field... Stay tuned for more to come as there is a new soccer team in Seattle, called "The Seattle Sounders FC" a team that will be playing in the MLS (Major League Soccer) in 2009.
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