On Stopping the Team Bus, and Rest Areas
For some reason, talk radio yammerers (read: Steve Czaban) are in full yammer mode this morning about Joe Gibbs, after he apologized for not stopping when the Redskins team bus passed some fans the other day. Now, I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would care if Gibbs apologized about this, but no matter. I have a better team bus story.
So we're all leaving the Meadowlands Saturday evening after United's 1-0 win over Team Energy Drink; the Screaming Eagles bus, the Barra Brava bus, the United team bus, the family members' bus, various vans carrying various hangers-on, and so forth. For some reason, I was wearing a bright orange t-shirt that said "Don't Be Stupid," which I had bought from a flea market in the Meadowlands parking lot. (A flea market, incidentally, that seemed to have attracted many more people than Team Energy Drink's playoff game. Announced attendance was less than 9k. Not good.)
Anyhow, point being, we all leave the Meadowlands, and I'm with the Screaming Eagles, several of whom are getting tired of being propositioned as cheese tasters (Some guy named Vlad: "[Bleep], man, when are you gonna stop?"), and they're singing mildly profane songs about people who live in New Jersey.
(Oft-used example, borrowed from clubs the world over and liberally changed, and sung to the tune of "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean":
If I had the wings of an eagle;
If I had the [bleep] of a crow.
I'd fly over Jersey tomorrow;
And [bleep] on those [bleepers] below.
[Bleep] on, [bleep] on;
[Bleep] on those [bleepers] below, below.
[Bleep] on, [bleep] on;
[Bleep] on those [bleepers] below.
etc.)
And then we start watching "The Benchwarmers," which is bad, and "Goal!", which is indescribably worse, and then suddenly we roll up to the Delaware House, where we're joined by the Barra Brava bus, and the United team bus, and the family members' bus, and then everyone sort of hangs out. At this rest stop. In the middle of Delaware. About three hours after United's MLS playoff game ended.
Defender Bryan Namoff is sitting inside the Delaware House, eating dinner. Forward Jaime Moreno is visiting with family and friends. Head coach Peter Nowak and assistant Tommy Soehn are chatting with fans. Alecko Eskandarian is sitting behind the wheel of the team bus, laying on the horn, while leaning out the window, posing for pictures and thanking supporters for making the trip. (I offer him some cheese; "I hate cheese, man," he says. "Bus drivers don't eat cheese.")
The Barra guys are everywhere; I ask one whether they're still drinking and he laughs. "What a silly question," he says. "Do ducks have lips?"
Anyhow, people keep coming back from the Delaware House to the parking lot with their Roy Rogers fried products and their gloppy Sbarro pizza, and they're all just sort of gathered in a clump by the parking lot, eating and talking.
"I'm in awe," fan Rob Bartlett is saying as he nods toward Moreno. "Like, that dude hanging out over there is arguably the greatest player in league history."
"How [bleeping] bizarre is that?" asks another fan. "Oh, we're driving down 95 South and we stop at some pisshole rest-stop, and there's the Redskins, the Capitals, the Bullets? I don't think so. In the 15 minutes we've been here, I've talked to the head coach, an assistant coach, the president, the technical director, a few key players, some players' wives, the fricker with the Golden Boot....In what the hell other league does that happen? Remember that movie with Paul Newman, "Slapshot?" I feel like I'm in that movie right now."
And as long as this guy made the hockey connection, I'm officially calling out Caps fans to show up for United's home half of the opening round of the playoffs this Sunday evening. The Skins have a bye and the Caps are off. No excuses. I'll even invite you to the Barra and the Eagles' tailgates. You United and Caps people seem to have a lot in common: you think the Washington Post undercovers your team, you occasionally read my blog, you like alcohol, you don't like teams from New York. This is a natural love connection. This especially means you, Goat and Sam Horn Guy.
By Dan Steinberg |
October 23, 2006; 1:02 PM ET
| Category:
D.C. United
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Posted by: Bryan76 | October 23, 2006 12:31 PM
We have a good number of Caps fans that cross over, and they are of course welcome. This weekends tailgate will be epic with live bands added!
Caps fans,
Let us know what's up and we can organize a cultural exchange program ;)
Posted by: Barra | October 23, 2006 12:32 PM
Yes, that was truly a great experience. At that rest stop in the middle of Delaware, I got my picture taken with Matias Donnet, stood in line for soda behind Bryan Namoff, ate some pizza while Jaime Moreno was sitting at the next table over (he said hello to me), talked to Brian Carroll and got introduced to his wife, and gave Troy Perkins a big hug for being Goalkeeper of the Year. Oh and I used the can but nothing interesting happened in there.
The cheese you brought didn't do it for me, unfortunately, but I'm glad you came, and glad you enjoyed the trip!
Posted by: Emily | October 23, 2006 12:32 PM
Great stuff. It was a pleasure meeting you on the bus and sampling your cheese.
I was the guy in the seat directly behind you.
Posted by: Mike | October 23, 2006 12:33 PM
The main difference between the average United fan and Caps fan is the unfortunate facial hair.
There's great pictures on the Barra Brava website (www.barra-brava.com) that show a lot of the good time, as well as Gomez and Moreno hanging out after the game.
Posted by: Kim | October 23, 2006 12:37 PM
One of the many reasons I love United. I wasn't there this time, but this is not a one-time occurence. They clearly play for us and we watch for them. The Christian Gomez drum chorus comes to mind when I think of what it means to play for or watch United.
Glad you were there for it, Dan. What did you bring, a Morbier cheese?
Posted by: Will | October 23, 2006 12:43 PM
So Dan, didja show the bus drivers how they could get onto the side roads in Newark to avoid the toll backup? Ya know, putting some of that BlueHen college knowledge to good use?
Posted by: jhorstma | October 23, 2006 12:44 PM
Glad you survived (and I hear some of your fellow journalists actually asked that, what exactly do they think happens on these trips?) And sorry about bad movies on the way back, Mom with a U13 veto-ed Life of Brian?? Goal was as bad as The Game of Their Lives.
Let me know about Dallas for the Cup, there must be some Tx sized cheese place to check out!
If folks want info on the Screaming Eagles tailgate go to our website (link above in blog) and go to game day.
K
Posted by: SEKim | October 23, 2006 12:44 PM
SEKim wrote "If folks want info on the Screaming Eagles tailgate go to our website (link above in blog) and go to game day."
...as long as you're there, click the Resources link from the SE page and select Podcast...
Posted by: SE Podcast | October 23, 2006 1:18 PM
You saved no cheese for the Barra bus - I am deeply, DEEPLY offended.
Signed,
That Barra Brava chick that stopped you at Delaware House to ask for some cheese and told you she comments from time to time.
Posted by: Riz | October 23, 2006 1:34 PM
Count me amongst the DC United fans who follow the Caps as well. I support in one way or another, just about every pro sports team in the DC metro area, though I am most ardent in my following of United. As such, I am growing a playoff beard in support of my man Benny Olsen. Although, how he's able to grow a full "Clan of the Cave Bear" beard in just one day amazes me.
Posted by: SteveWWJ | October 23, 2006 1:50 PM
K,
Texas Cheese = Hoja Santa from the Mozzarella Cheese Company in Dallas. Tasty goat cheese. Gotta get you some of that!
Posted by: GUTuna | October 23, 2006 1:52 PM
Glad you came with us amigo. Next time try out barra bus, although I would not recommend offering cheese to those guys,
a nice bottle of Captain Morgan's will do just fine ;-)
Epic talgate is in the works for this coming sunday 10/29. 2 live bands, food, enough booze to cover inventory of the small pub, fireworks (kidding, or am i?) be there around 3PM if not earlier. directions are here:
http://www.barra-brava.com/tailgates/index.asp
vamos united.
Posted by: Some guy named Vlad | October 23, 2006 1:55 PM
Good thing you rode with the Eagles. They probably still had beer when you got to the Swamp. The Barra bus keg was kicked by the time we left Maryland House.
Posted by: DB | October 23, 2006 1:58 PM
See, DB's comment is just the sort of thing I referred to in my next post, above. Why all the BBs gotta be hatin' on the Eagles?
Anyhow, is it possible to get one comment before the end of the day from a Caps fan who wouldn't ordinarily go to a United playoff game, but who has decided to make the trip to RFK this weekend because of my pleadings? Just one?
Posted by: SportsBog | October 23, 2006 2:12 PM
Now, this raises an interesting dilemma: Would the presence of long-time Capitals fans bring a dose of historically bad playoff karma to the the United? Or would attending said United match perhaps cleanse a bit of the scar tissue from a Caps fan's rooting resume?
Hmm...
Should I go, rest assured, your pleadings would be the impetus.
(Now, where can I get a Goat 74 United jersey before Sunday?)
Posted by: Goat | October 23, 2006 2:24 PM
The biggest city in America. The biggest sport on Earth. The most successful U.S. soccer coach ever. An open day on the major sports calendar, for a playoff game.
8,000 fans.
League to Red Bull corp: it's not working out. And your drink tastes like battery acid. Go home.
Posted by: futbolista | October 23, 2006 2:30 PM
Goat,
You can your "Goat 74" jersey made while you wait inside RFK.
Enter Gate C(where the tunnel from Lot 8 dumps you) and turn right. Stand will be on your left.
Make sure to stop by the tailgating before though!
Posted by: GUTuna | October 23, 2006 2:32 PM
Hey Dan, long time, first time, yadda yadda yadda. Nice post about a great team/fan experience. One of the highlights of that crazy unique bond for me was the victory parade up Penna Ave in '99, when the Eagles all marched in the parade behind the team, pulling fans off the curb to march with us. I carried my then-8-month-old son on my back for that one. Hey, someone talk to Fenty's folks and get the team a REAL victory parade like that again! (Knock on wood ...) But this time with Victory Hop Devil and Cowgirl Creamery Pierce Pt from Katie at the DC shop!
Posted by: CVFparis | October 23, 2006 2:42 PM
There is a sort of sibling rivalry, but no hate between the two supporters groups.
We have different vibes, but that just makes it easier for the newbies to find somewhere to fit in, and there are plenty who are members of both (fence strattling bastards;) ).
Posted by: Barra | October 23, 2006 2:47 PM
While I wait, eh?
Hmm...
Posted by: Goat | October 23, 2006 2:52 PM
I will come out to support United! Caps fans have your back United fans, please come out and support the Caps too! :)
Posted by: Andy | October 23, 2006 2:56 PM
Do the Caps have supporters groups? special seating for hardcore fans?
What's the score?
Posted by: Barra | October 23, 2006 2:58 PM
What kind of cheese, Dan? Is it good enough for Gromit?
Posted by: Wallace | October 23, 2006 2:59 PM
hey dan...thanks for helping me out in the line at the meadowlands. it was greatly appreciated...
so i have a question for you...did you buy that shirt at the flea market for an upcoming hunting trip?
just curious
war united winning their 5th mls cup and war hoyas in the '07 final four
Posted by: kghoya | October 23, 2006 3:07 PM
I'm aware of 1 Caps fan group (I don't believe they are a big group but I think they have an info table on the main level concourse) but a different group does do roadtrips and they're a nice drunken bunch like the SEs/BBs (had a great bus trip to Continental Arena for a Devil's game a few years ago). I believe they have an info table on the 400 level.
We have quite a few SE members who have Caps plans (I have a small one). Like soccer, hockey is pretty simple, put the ball/puck into the back of the net.
Posted by: SEKim | October 23, 2006 3:15 PM
Barra: There is an official Caps Fan Club, and the infamous (in a good way) Caps Road Crew. The Fan Club, I believe, promotes local Caps and events and organizes trips to Caps away games. The Road Crew (as the name implies) focuses on organizing road trips, most famously to Carolina, where groans of "oh great, the Caps fans are here," are known to have been heard.
As far as I know, neither involves any special seating at Caps home games.
I'm not a member of the Fan Club, and I always brought bad luck to away games, so I'm not a member of the Road Crew anymore. I just wanted to answer as best I could.
A lot of the most hard-core Caps fans are just a random gang that winds up being there all the time. (And with attendance recently, we could have all been introduced individually without too much effort.)
Posted by: Goat | October 23, 2006 3:16 PM
Thanks for the info. I have checked out the websites that are linked to the Cap's homepage.
I will check it out, and if you see someone wandering around with a Barra Brava blck hoodie on at one of the upcoming games grab then and show them what's up.
Are their tailgates or bars where season ticket holders meet up? I would like to start there to get the whole experience.
Posted by: Barra | October 23, 2006 3:22 PM
Dan,
You have either started a beautiful friendship or you have mixed vinegar and baking soda...
I guess we will find out.
I have been to one pro hocky game in my life, but it was against the glass at a Stanley Cup Finals game when I still lived in LA (Mighty Ducks @ The Pond). I could see myself getting into it though.
I will let you know how it works out :)
Posted by: Barra | October 23, 2006 3:30 PM
You got it!
As the team and the league have spun out a bit in recent years, the fan collective has lost a bit of steam as well. At this point, one of the best places to meet a wide variety of Caps fans before and after the games (at least as a start) is Drinx, attached to the F Street Arena at 601 F Street. Since there's no parking lot, there's no "authentic" tailgating, so to speak, but the vibe is starting to build. VERY small, but it's going in the right direction.
All fanatics are welcome!
Posted by: Goat | October 23, 2006 3:33 PM
Re bars, pretty much any place on 7th Street has Caps fans before a game (Fado and RFD have nice beer selections). 7 pm game time though means you need to drink quickly. They have a decent beer selection at the Verizon Center but you'll pay (except for the pretzels no idea what the food is like).
Posted by: SEKim | October 23, 2006 3:37 PM
Dan, Good meeting you, thanks for the Comcast hat, I wore it today, and in no way am I cool, thats all. See you out on Sunday
Posted by: Chris | October 23, 2006 3:41 PM
Dan, sorry if you took what I posted as hating on the Eagles. I'm a member of both the Eagles and the Barra. I was trying (and failed I guess) to be tongue and cheek about alcohol management. No hate between the two groups. As a matter of fact, it's the cooperation between the Screaming Eagles, Barra Brava and La Norte and the hard work of their leaders that make our Supporter's Clubs the benchmark for the league. Once again, I'm glad you made the trip and hope you had a good time. Hope to see you at a United match soon.....Like this Sunday. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
Do those 5 gal. liquor kegs rule or what?! :)
Posted by: DB | October 23, 2006 7:06 PM
Well, I wasn't called out like Goat & Sam, but........ this Caps fan would have made it out to the game on Sunday, if he wasn't already following the Caps on their 4 game road trip through Denver, Vancouver, Edmonton & Calgary this week. :)
Posted by: Bean | October 23, 2006 10:08 PM
Hey, this Caps and United season ticket holder would have been on the bus with you if she didn't have to work on Saturday! We've already sold our Nov. 11th hockey tickets cuz we'll be in Dallas for the Cup! (hopefully our boys will be with us this time!)
Posted by: Thea | October 23, 2006 10:32 PM
There's a LOT of crossover between Caps and United fans. As Kim mentioned, several of us have been on Caps Road Crew trips before. And as I mentioned before, hockey is my first love. Been following the Caps for 28 years.
Personally, I think it would be great if Ted took a 400 level section behind a goal at Caps games and converted it into a "hardcore only" soccer-style supporter's section with cheap tickets and a standing, singing mentality. I think it would take off, personally.
Posted by: Paul | October 24, 2006 12:07 AM
36 comments!!! I knew I should have gone on this trip instead...ha!!!
Posted by: Wise Girls-DC | October 24, 2006 1:47 AM
I too would have liked to go to the game Sunday, but I'll be with Brian a few other die hard, insane Caps fans going on the West trip. While not officially a CRC trip, Brian and I have been on many CRC bus and DIY trips (although it's not listed on the site anymore, I like to think of myself as a founding memeber - at least, I'm in a ton of the pictures from the beginning).
Sunday we'll be flying to Calgary after the Edmonton game the night before. We'll have a drink and toast in honor of DC United and its die hard fans, though :-)
Posted by: Andrea | October 24, 2006 9:18 AM
Soccer and Hockey relate well to each other. Continuous action compared to the other major sports. And hockey purists can appreciate low scoring games as opposed to fans that need rule changes and higher scoring to enjoy the sport. Hockey is my favorite sport to play. And a United game, especially a playoff game, in the Barra or Nest is a great SPORTS FAN experience.
Oh yeah, nice shirt. :) http://barra-brava.com/gallery/imgenlarge.asp?id=6286
All are invited to the Barra tailgate. Check earlier comment for location. Duffman will be in full uniform. If that doesn't get you out there, I don't know what will. http://barra-brava.com/gallery/imgenlarge.asp?id=4913
Posted by: Duffman | October 24, 2006 9:25 AM
How can I pass up the chance to see Duffman?!?!
Posted by: Goat | October 24, 2006 11:15 AM
Why couldn't the game be on Saturday instead of Sunday, like last week? This Caps fan is going to be stuck at work.
FS
Posted by: Anonymous | October 24, 2006 12:05 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
That was a great time...amazing that we had more fans in NY than they did. And Dan, that second cheese...phew...smelled like a baby bottle you let stand over the weekend without washing.
Come on Caps fans, help us bring the heat next Sunday night. Contact one of the supporters clubs, come stand where the stands bounce, and have a great time.