USA - Cuba: RFK Stadium, Washington DC

The first ever New Jersey Brigade sponsored bus trip took place in October 2008 as the crew from New Jersey and New York invaded the nation's capitol to support the United States in its World Cup Qualifying match against Cuba.

We took off from New Jersey around noon for the 730 match, a packed bus it was. Lots of beer and other fun beverages in tow. As with any bus trip, there is lots of chanting, movie watching, and drunken folks. The usual contenders were on top form.



We arrived at RFK Stadium around 3-4 PM. Our favorite Virginia native met us in the lot with an entire car filled with beer. Most excellent way to continue the day.

During the tailgate, we were greeted by a surprise guest. None other than Nashville host... Ben aka Maaaaaan 2.0. Ben (pictured in the red jersey below) drove all the way up from Tennessee for the match. Another dedicated US fan down for the cause of supporting his country to the fullest.





A Chef Leon sponsored tailgate followed and about an hour from game time we entered RFK. A solid atmosphere. Smoke bombs even made an appearance that night, much to the chagrin of the local security team.


The United States played a terrific game highlighted by a goal from Jozy "King of New York and Jersey" Altidore and the international debut of Jose Torres. NKB Leader and all around USA Fanatico, Kirwan, approves of this performance.

The United States 6-1 victory marked their sixth consecutive victory in World Cup Qualifying and clinched their spot into the final round of qualification.

Crowd was lively and properly cheered on the boys. After the game, Freddy Adu came around signing autographs for all in attendance.

A long day of partying, singing, and seeing the US dismantle Cuba, it was that time to take the bus back home. The boys were tired as evidenced below.

What is Primetown?

Montreal, Canada - July 3, 2007.

It was the day I truly decided that I would travel and sing for the USA. Anytime, anyplace. If I can get there, I will be there, chant, and sing till my voice goes numb.

The game was at Olympic Stadium. The opponent: Poland. The competition: Under 20 World Cup.

After falling behind 1-0, the boys put on the most impressive performance I had ever seen a group of men ever put on in a US uniform. It was a performance that could only be categorized by one word: "Primetown." It is a word created by just to describe the US' performance in this game. The quality of play from the trilogy of Freddy Adu, Jozy Altidore, and Michael Bradley will be witnessed on the senior national team for years and years to come, but it all came to fruition that day in Montreal.

Six unanswered goals by the young Americans saw them beat the Poles 6-1. It was a performance that saw a heavily biased crowd against the Americans become an applauding, complimentary crowd as the boys in white put a clinical display of brilliance yet to be matched by an American squad in a major competition.

Later that week, the boys did the unthinkable knocking off Brazil 2-1 in Ottawa which will be regarded as the match of the tournament, however is the sublime victory in Montreal over Poland which will forever be remembered as the birth of Primetown.

Will Primetown occur again? I hope so as the US begins Olympic qualifying in a week's time. With Adu and Altidore called into squad, fireworks should be on the horizon.

Introduction to Primetown

As the 2010 Worlc Cup cycle draws quickly upon us, I have come to the realization that I need to see as many games as possible. As I was finishing up high school during the 2002 edition and was interviewing for jobs during the 2006 edition, I was unable to either of the quadrenial events. This time around I plan to attend to as much of the qualifying process as possible and the games in South Africa.

I am addicted to this game as many of you are and am itching to see the qualification process begin.

To give a little background, my first ever US game I attended was the US Women's extra time semifinal victory over Norway in the 1996 Olympic Games in Athens, Georgia. After that I took a 9 year hiatus from US games.

In 2005, I joined Sam's Army for the semifinal and final round of the Gold Cup Finals at Giants Stadium. Since that point, I have become a member of Sam's Army as well as a member of New York's Empire Supporters Club.

This blog will be a running diary of musings and more importantly the travels of following the US and the New York Red Bulls.

In a month's time I will be embarking to Nashville for Olympic qualifying.

My goals for the Nashville trip:

1. Chant the US to qualification
2. Party with as many locals as possible
3. Experience honky tonk culture
4. Throw Jozy a scarf after he scores a brace on Mexico (pending they meet in the tournament).

In the meantime, I will reflect on some of the recent trips I have been on and explain the meaning of "Primetown."