I’m sure all of you have heard by now that the Dirt Devils will be touring the States this summer. They’ll be making an appearance in Philadelphia to play Barcelona at Lincoln Financial Field. I live less than 30 minutes from there and am torn.
My alllegiance to all things Arsenal has been unwavering for well over ten years and am feeling a little guilty for even considering going to this contest. Though I would wear my DB10 shirt proudly, I have no desire to help line the pockets of George Steinbrenner(Yankee scum) and Peter Kenyon(Red scum) with my money.
The only thing that is holding me back from bagging it completely is my love for the game itself. I only missed a handful of games during the past WC and know that opportunities to see world-class football in person are few and far between. The flow, rhythm and pace of the beautiful game are almost invisible on the TV, but in person…
Exactly.
I’ve only been a member for a ArseAm for a very short time but have read enough to know there are some very passionate Arsenal supporters here. I’d be curious to know, as I battle with my own decision, if anyone will be seeing “that” team in person this summer (if only to root for the opposition).
19 Responses to “ManUre in the States. Will you attend?”
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February 28th, 2003 at 4:38 pm
I’m probably going to the Philadelphia one as well with my friend the ManUre fan. I, too, will be there with my DB10 shirt and will proudly sing along with all the Barcelona fans. I was mixed as well, but this is the closest I’m going to get to seeing world class football in the foreseeable future (I’m just out of school and still out of decent work), so I’ll take the five hour drive across the state.
February 28th, 2003 at 4:41 pm
I plan on attending the match at Giants Stadium as well as the one in Philly. I am most definitely going to wear my Arsenal gear, as are many of my friends who are coming with me. I know how you feel regarding a certain hesitatation to give money to “the enemy” so to speak, but hey, I’m there to see Juventus and Barca (and yes, okay, to taunt the MUppets by reminding them of what I hope will be a repeat Double by the Gunners.)
There is a precedence for this. Last summer, Glagow Rangers played River Plate at Giants Stadium. I went to watch some world class footie, and was surprised to see how many Celtic fans were in attendance - there were at least two whole sections of green and white. Thank God they were there, otherwise the stadium would have been empty!
February 28th, 2003 at 5:43 pm
Though it is seeing the dastardly Red Devils, and lining the pockets of two world-class A-holes, I would go–if just to see Barca and boo Manure. Is it possible to enlist the help of some Eagles fans? Transport 60,000 of those goons into soccer mode, and I dont think Man U would ever even THINK about coming back to the States…
February 28th, 2003 at 6:49 pm
You know, I just had another thought. If this tour is successful, it may convince Arsenal and other European clubs to make similar trips in future summers. That would definitely be reason enough to go.
February 28th, 2003 at 7:23 pm
I’ll be going to the ManU v Celtic match in Seattle, wearing my Arsenal gear and rooting for Scotland*. Yes it’s ManU but I’m not going to miss the opportunity to see some decent quality football here and maybe show other teams that there are profitable venues in the US. I’d love it if Arsenal would do a US tour…
*At the risk of upsetting the EINY, I’m not a Celtic fan, but a Hearts supporter. However when it comes to supporting the lesser of two evils, it’s not a difficult choice.
March 1st, 2003 at 12:13 am
I will be going to the game at the Los Angeles Coliseum on July 27th when the gloryhunting manure scum play Mexican side America (with due respect to America, why the organisers couldn’t get a more glamourous well known side for the game out here I don’t know) I know for a fact that there will be a huge turnout of Brit ex-pats for this game as there always is when a British side comes out here. A few years ago, Aston Villa came out here to play Los Angeles Galaxy at the Rose Bowl and were losing 1-0 with five minutes to go until Stan (I beat up women) Collymore scored an equaliser on his Villa debut. More than likely the ex-pats will just go to wind up Taggart and co and root for the Mexicans….after all we are part of that well known club “ABU” (Anyone But United) Also Arsenal have been to play in America. I went to the game at the Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami in 1989, where we played Indiependiente of Argentina in an unofficial World Club championship game. We won 2-1 with a brace from Rocky Rocastle R.I.P. The game was a pre-season friendly which was handled by some crap Latino referee who sent off Gary Lewin, the Arsenal physio for attending to Perry Groves who was injured.
March 1st, 2003 at 8:24 am
In a word, no.
In the last few years I’ve seen DC United take on Leeds, Newcastle, Bayer Leverkusen, and Boca Juniors. I’ve seen DC play the Necaxa team that “shocked the world” (!?!?) by beating ManU in that tournament in Brazil (that they SKIPPED OUT on the FA Cup to play in).
Somehow, I feel there will be another quality opponent this summer for my MLS team. I don’t feel compelled to find out what Becks’s hairstyle of the week is.
March 1st, 2003 at 8:45 am
Some of the buzz I’ve been getting from some Eagles fans is that they DO want to come to this, because they want to see the new stadium, and think it’ll be easier to get tickets for this than for actual Eagles games.
March 1st, 2003 at 4:25 pm
I’ll be watching the game in Seattle with some friends and Celtic supporters here. My bro-in-law is ManUre fan so as long as ManUre doesn’t win anything this year, that’ll keep his mouth shut. Hopefully Arsenal can win the double again and do well in the Champs League (I would like them to make it to the quarters and get into the semis at least).
I’ll probably wear my England Beckham jersey - didn’t really plan to wear my Arsenal jersey (with Bergkamp number).
I’m like most people here - yeah, sure I don’t want to line the pockets of the Red Devils but the games will be hot ticket items anyhow and this is a great chance to watch some World Class footie (it would be pre-season) live close to home while saving my pennies for the next ArsenalAmerica trip to THOF.
Hopefully Arsenal will be aware of all the supporters over here in Canada and the US and make a trip themselves.
March 2nd, 2003 at 1:03 am
I will be going to the game at the Los Angeles Coliseum on July 27th when the gloryhunting manure scum play Mexican side America (with due respect to America, why the organisers couldn’t get a more glamourous well known side for the game out here I don’t know) I know for a fact that there will be a huge turnout of Brit ex-pats for this game as there always is when a British side comes out here. A few years ago, Aston Villa came out here to play Los Angeles Galaxy at the Rose Bowl and were losing 1-0 with five minutes to go until Stan (I beat up women) Collymore scored an equaliser on his Villa debut. More than likely the ex-pats will just go to wind up Taggart and co and root for the Mexicans….after all we are part of that well known club “ABU” (Anyone But United) Also Arsenal have been to play in America. I went to the game at the Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami in 1989, where we played Indiependiente of Argentina in an unofficial World Club championship game. We won 2-1 with a brace from Rocky Rocastle R.I.P. The game was a pre-season friendly which was handled by some crap Latino referee who sent off Gary Lewin, the Arsenal physio for attending to Perry Groves who was injured.
March 2nd, 2003 at 6:18 pm
I think there maybe a few of us goiing down from Canada. AFC shirts only for the game.
March 3rd, 2003 at 1:01 am
You people are cracked.
There’s just no excuse for paying to see Manchester United play, unless Arsenal are the other team involved or you’re a fan of their team.
Their tour isn’t helping anyone but themselves, it’s helping promote soccer in the United States about as much as George Bush is promoting peace, love and understanding.
Period the end.
March 3rd, 2003 at 1:11 am
Sorry to post again so soon but I feel I have to do my damndest to talk sense into you guys!!
I hate to rain on your parades but a preseason friendly is hardly the place to look for top class performances from these teams. They’ll be trotting out their reserve players with perhaps a fleeting glimpse of the likes of Del Piero, Saviola or Beckham.
If they break a sweat it will only be down to the July temperatures not physical exertion.
The last thing Alex Ferguson and Marcello Lipi will be wanting to do is risk their players fitness and health in a money spinning effort such as this. Ferguson is well known for grudgingly allowing his players to play for their countries in World Cup or European Championship qualifiers, how do you think he’ll feel about letting his first choice eleven go full throttle in a July friendly?
Diatribe over, I hope I’ve done my bit to talk you away from the ledge.
March 4th, 2003 at 5:54 pm
The more people that show up for these games the better it will be for all soccer supporters in the USA. The American networks will see there is an American audience for top flight football. Like the YES deal with, Man U, maybe one day Arsenal TV can get hooked up with Time Warner or Fox. Then we can see some Arsenal Classics on Thursday nights or Sunday mornings. The more people that show up, the more likely Arsenal will come over next summer. Not to mention, it is a great way for Arsenal supporters to get together and remind the Dirt Devils “there’s only one team in England.” It is true, that the top flight players will not break a sweat, but I went to the Roma-Real Madrid game last summer. 70,000 plus at a soccer game in the USA. It was unreal to say the least. Zidane was worth every penny. Root for Saviola, he truly knows how to play the beautiful game. He is on the verge of greatness. If you miss Saviola, you will kick yourself in the ass when he tears up the World Cup in Germany. I for one will be wearing my “Arsenal 4 Life” jersey at all three events on the East Coast. Sit back and enjoy the game at its highest level.
March 5th, 2003 at 12:07 pm
Exactly!!!!!!!!!!!
March 10th, 2003 at 2:02 am
How could you not go see United this summer? How can expect Arsenal to make a summer tour if we don’t support this tour?
I just had the pleasure this past week of holding the FA Cup & the Premiership trophies. Just bear in mind that there are no United fans doing the same this time.
As far as the game, everyone that has the chance should go regardless of whom you support. This is a great opportunity to show the uneducated American public the beauty of the finest game on the planet.
If there is a silver lining to this tour. just remember th Red Devils won’t be touring with any silverware!!!
April 30th, 2003 at 7:54 pm
I’ll be at the Seattle match. As an Arsenal and Rangers fan, it’s a tough choice, but since I’m not a hardcore Protestant, I’ll have to go with Celtic on this one.
There is a Celtic supporters club in Seattle, based at Kells. Perhaps we should get together with them before the match.
July 21st, 2003 at 4:21 pm
I will be going to watch Juventus v. Barca in Foxborough, MA… if Man United were in that match… I would definitely go see them play…
The level of soccer played in the EPL and CL… is far superior to anything we see here… No, I am not anxious to put more money in United’s pockets… but I love the game… and they do play it well…
ARSENAL need to work on their club marketing…
all the teams visiting the States are going to win alot of supporters…. and sell alot of products…
I would travel anywhere in North America if Arsenal would play here…
As it is… I can only visit Highbury for the pilgrimage once or twice per year…
Seeing live top level soccer is fantastic… I would watch United or just about any EPL team in the area.
January 23rd, 2004 at 4:31 pm
Arrggh, ManUre those devil shiites. Going to the game will help ManUre/crap generate more revenue. Those Manchesterian Basturds.