There is a new breed of sports fans in Philadelphia. We hide out early Saturday mornings in dark places, bangers and mash in our laps, a cold frothy Guinness gripped in our paws. We keep to ourselves, mainly because we are outsiders. We are different from the rest, but in fact we share the same passion as our counterparts. Football is our sport, but there is no bird representing our team. Our colors are not green and white. We are new breed of fan that is only new to Philadelphia, but ancient to the world. We follow the biggest sport in the world. A sport that transcends sports. One that stops decades of Civil War, one that can change the complexity of an entire nation.
And so it begins.
On Saturday, July 18, the Gold Cup Quarterfinals come to Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field. Most people in the area have no idea how big this is, or how important it is to football fans (don’t call it soccer). The Gold Cup will be a battle of the best teams from the International Confederation known as CONCACAF. The competing teams from North and Central Amercia as well as the Carribean fight for the top spot, usually held by either the USA or Mexico. (UPDATE: This Saturday’s Gold Cup teams have been choosen! Canada vs. Honduras and USA vs. Panama.)
All eyes are on the USA this year, as our national team is coming off an impressive showing at this year’s Confederations Cup in South Africa. While Mexico, our biggest competition for the Gold Cup, is dealing with some injury problems, they will still field an impressive team for this tournament and every foot ball fans know this, so tickets are selling fast. Grab your scarf, your flag and make sure you get a seat at this year’s Gold Cup. And if the final ends up being USA vs. Mexico, a concept that makes me drool a little in excitement, it will be played at Giants Stadium, a drive up 95. You can’t beat that foreshadowing.
The Gold Cup is just the beginning of generating a huge fan base for the Philadelphia Area. With the MLS expansion team, Philadelphia Union, kicking off their debut season in Chester next year, Philadelphia is quickly becoming a futbol mecca. The new Philadelphia Union is coming equipped with its own stadium that is built specifically for football (soccer for those that are still confused). The stadium will seat an intimate 18,500 people. Perfect for Philly fans to raise the decibels on away teams like the New York Red Bulls and DC United.
No longer will we have to go to specialty pubs to catch Manchester United play Arsenal for the FA Cup Final. No longer will the Dark Horse charge $20 bucks to see Real Madrid play Inter Milan for Champions League glory. The tables will turn and slowly but surely football will sneak into this country like a plague and take over just as it has done to the rest of the world. It’s a beautiful game and it will be a beautiful future.
To win tickets to the Gold Cup, head to Tir Na Nog on Friday, July 17.
AroundPhilly Staff
