7:30am While out for an early breakfast, I popped my head into Brittania, to check the score of Argentina/Nigeria, as well as to get a sense of how crowded the place will be, in case Ye Olde King's Head is too crowded. Apparently, neither would be an option. Both bars were on a reservation only system, and had already reached capacity. Whoops.
9:20am Having settled on a backup location, I headed out the door determined to get a good seat for the game. I chose Sports Harbour in part because I had not reviewed it before, and in part because I figured it was right next to Costco. So worst comes to worst, at least a Very Berry Sundae would be involved.
9:40am After rolling the dice by parking at Costco (but fighting off the urge for a churro), I made my way to Sports Harbour and settled into a seat at the bar. Harbour is a bar's bar--dimly lit, distractions abound, from shuffleboard to pop a shot to, you guessed it, a Foosball table right next to Golden Tee. On the downside, these attractions come at the expense of space, as there are tight walkways-- not ideal for trying to watch a sporting event with a hundred or so of your closest strangers.
10:00am Pop a shot in full effect, the food smells delicious. But I have to pace myself.
10:35am I opt for a Bud Light. Don't want to go full bore out of the gate, plus, an All-American beer, damnit!
10:54am It dawns on me that the game starts at 11 instead of 11:30. Extra time to savor my delicious Bud Light. Yup, we're gonna need some food. I went with a grilled ham and cheese. Basic fare, not too shabby, and as my neighbor Al pointed out, pretty good for the price (6.99, fries included).
10:56am During a live shot of a bar in New York, a fan starts a chant of "Fuck B.P.!" Pretty sure our founding fathers would be proud.
11:20am The bar has now reached full capacity, and the trash talk has begun with some light vollies. "You know what? I've tried tea before. That stuff's disgusting!" Take that, upper crust of society!
11:31am The game is under way. Emotions are high.
11:35am Gooooooal! I hadn't even finished my fries before Steven Gerrard, while running to his left, used his right foot to sneak one past Tim Howard. A crafty goal has the Brits up early, brimming with confidence.
11:43am A man is walking through the bar with USA jerseys for sale. Probably would have had more luck if not for that Gerrard goal. No takers...
11:49am As Bud Light sends me to the bathroom, the Americans nearly score, but can't connect on a header. If I had missed a goal while taking a piss, I might never drink Bud Light again.
12noon First David Beckham sighting (that I noticed). My friend Natalie puts it best: "So Hot!" Beckham looks like he is ready to hop in an Aston Martin and drive off to the nearest Backarat table. Speaking of which, interesting contrast between the two coaches. England's is in a coat and tie, looking quite prim and propper. Our skipper? Wearing a track suit he probably found on the clearance rack at Ross. (Not that there's anything wrong with that). Just saying--clearly this sport means more to some than to others.
12:05pm Sensing the need to change momentum, I opt for a different approach to my beer. Instead of the macro of macros, I decide to go a little "small ball", with a Ranger IPA from the Bear Republic brewery.
All the hoppiness you would expect from an IPA, but with a more subtle flavor profile than a lot of its counterparts. Very nice balance between spice and mellow; not overpowering. One of 18 beers on tap at the harbour, to go with 18 more via bottle, and two ciders.
12:08pm As if on cue, Landon Donovan nearly levels the match at one, sending a shot meters wide. That's British for about three feet.
12:09pm Goooooooal! Clint Dempsey pulls a Patrick Kane, and basically just throws it on net. England's keeper has the ball slip right off his hands, and can only turn and watch helplessly as the ball trickles behind the line for a goal. Dempsey celebrates, which I guess is the right move, but a tough break for England. You have to think playing goalie for a fanatical fan base can't help but to tense you up. The team wins, and position players get the credit. Lose, and it is because you messed up. Tony Meola-- you got off easy.
12:10pm It might not have been his most dramatic save, but Tim Howard had his biggest save of the game, not only preventing an English goal, but a mutiny on board the USS Bandwagon. As my buddy Tim, also on hand, put it: "That would have been literally deflating for all of us." They then showed David Beckham's reaction to the US goal. I'll describe it as stoic, but displeased.
12:19pm Half time. Fans break out a chant of "U-S-A!", to which a Brit at the bar counters, "You're-All-Gay!". Probably a good thing Fuck B.P. guy isn't here, or we would have a ruckus on our hands. Possibly a brouhaha.
12:30pm Spoke with fan JJ, who was sporting a collared USA flag shirt.
Good thing he went with the formal duds--you know, in case the Queen shows up. I kid, but after a very nice conversation, JJ points out its better to be lucky than good, and we agree that a draw is a win for the US. 12:40pm 2nd half action, Wayne Rooney shoots, but kick save and a beauty by a US defender on the goal line. This would have been more significant had Rooney not been ruled offsides. Moments later, Tim Howard stuffs another shot from close range. Momentum is building...
12:53pm Off a corner, England duffs a chip shot from inside the box. Not a gimmee, but he'll be thinking about that one for quite some time. Hopefully he won't end up living in a camper and growing a ghastly beard, ala Rooney in that fantastic Nike commercial.
12:55pm US shot hits the post. On one hand, unlucky for the Americans, who nearly took a 2-1 lead with 26 minutes to play. On the other hand, the English keeper was probably due a bit of good fortune.
1:14pm US subs out Jozy Altidore, meaning both of their starting forwards are out of the match. Consider this the "we have a chance to get a point, we're taking it" stage of the match. Wise decision by the Americans.
1:24pm Full time. The US holds on for a 1-1 moral victory against the English. At the Harbour, the US fans are ecstatic, while the UK ones are a bit perturbed... no doubt muttering Bollocks!
Post script report card:
Match Rating: A-. A very competitive match, and although the US essentially only got a point because of Green's gaffe, Tim Howard's net prowess probably deserved a point by itself. Also, the palpable energy throughout the game made it fun from start to finish.
Location Rating: B. The Harbour is not well equipped to handle a big event. The seats are too close together, and the walkways do not allow for much wiggle room. Also, the tap options are acceptable, but with 18 options, they do not explore many exciting unknown beers. Having said that, the dark cave-like ambiance is fantastic for sports, right up until you take a step outside and have the sunshine scar your retinas. I felt like Tom Cruise in Minority Report.
Next up: The plan is for Serbia vs. Ghana at Q's in West LA, on Wilshire. Maybe not exactly the same crowd environment, but it will be interesting to see what a lower-key game is like.
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