Canadian Soccer

A POST BY MIKE CIUFFINI

A more distinctive Canadian identity for soccer is beginning to take shape. The success of Canadian teams in North America’s top professional league, Major League Soccer (MLS), the rise of our women's national team into fourth place in FIFA rankings and having the men’s national team being competitive for bigger tournaments have allowed the world to take notice.

In a country as multicultural as Canada is, the identity of the world’s most beautiful game tends to be very insular to an individual’s country of origin. When the World Cup comes around every four years, neighbourhoods across the country are divided and support and pride is defined by the flags attached to car windows and hung from porches and garage doors.

But that love of the game has turned into opportunity for Canadian city markets in the MLS. Professional football clubs exist in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal all with world-class stadiums and support from die-hard fans.

The Toronto Football Club (TFC) won the Eastern Conference and played in the MLS Cup Final in 2016 and is currently sitting first place in the league this year.

They play out of BMO Field in Toronto, which FIFA considers Canada’s National Stadium. It’s located on the Exhibition grounds and is quick walk from many bars and restaurants in the town known as Liberty Village. A quick walk in the tunnel under the train tracks brings you down the laneway leading up to the impressive building.

To experience a game there is enthralling. Soccer fans create a unique atmosphere that begin in the streets, chanting, playing drums, waving flags and releasing coloured smoke into the sky. It’s a religion more than a sport.

The TFC and the Montreal Impact have established a rivalry over the past few years. They played in the conference finals last year that went the distance and had fans on both sides on the edge of their seats. In the end, the TFC prevailed, setting the stage for heated matches this season already.

Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto compete every year for the Canadian Championship, which allows the club to compete in the North American Champions League for professional soccer clubs. Now in it’s tenth year, Toronto defeated Montreal to add to that intense rivalry.

The Canadian Women’s National Team has had incredible success. They won Olympic bronze in London in 2012 against France and in 2016 against host Brazil. They have qualified for the Women’s World Cup every year since 1995 and came in fourth place in 2003.

The state of the world’s most beautiful game is growing in Canada. So let’s wear our red scarves and scream O Canada at the beginning of each match, loud and proud! 

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Real Girl Travels - Love for the Seahawks

    Hey everyone Chris here. I am here to wish you a happy NFL playoffs and also to introduce you to Alyssa. Alyssa and I met in Ireland and became friends over our common interests Travel, football and booze. She wrote a story for us and I am happy to share it with you.

    Alyssa grew up moving all over the United States and couldn't ever get the travel bug out of her. After a few years of having steady jobs, she discovered her passion was somewhere else and decided to follow it. Therefore, she sold all of her worldly possessions and set off to travel the world. She's currently on a 3-year journey with the goal of facing her fears, opening her mind to new things, and learning from the world.

     Alyssa has become more than just a traveler, she's become a writer, photographer, cinematographer, producer, travel planner, and cultural researcher. She hopes one day to channel her skills and utilize it to better help the travel world and the people in

When you have a designated goal set in your mind, you should always expect things might not go the way you think they should. Of course, returning right back where you started is a whole other encounter you’ll likely never expect.

You can check her out here at VAGABUNDUS.org

    For me, I left the beginning of January in 2013, setting off with expectations to travel around the world for three solid years. What I didn’t expect was to return home much earlier for a couple weeks to encounter my old life mixing with the new one I have set out creating for myself.

I carry Seattle hometown pride with me everywhere I go. I love talking about how astonishing my city’s accomplishments are. The biggest part of my Seattle pride is our Seattle Seahawks team. I’m proud to say I am part of their 12^th Man… well, woman.

For those of you who don’t know, eleven offensive players face eleven defensive players on the field for a football game. In Seattle, it’s our fans that complete the Seahawks presence on the field. We like to believe we give serious contribution to the wins the Seahawks earn. Regardless of that opinion’s actual truth, we show the team that we’re right there with them, doing all that we can, to contribute our love of the game and our team.

Traveling has never prevented me from watching a single Seahawks game. Whether it’s 7p.m. in Croatia or 6a.m. in England, I’ve managed to show my 12^th Woman support through and through. Every single game, I’m there cheering loudly, halfway around the world, often passionately screaming at my computer screen.

Wide receiver Percy Harvin started his career with the Minnesota Vikings. As a rookie player, instantly he had amazing potential as a dangerous offensive weapon competing against the best NFL players. Last season, while playing in Seattle against our mighty Seahawks, Harvin injured his ankle and was out for the remainder of the season.

Over the 2013 NFL off-season, the Seattle Seahawks acquired him from the Minnesota Vikings’ for a first round draft pick. This added the versatile wide receiver to the already potent Seahawk’s offense.

However, before the season started, Percy’s accumulative injuries once again overwhelmed him. Resulting him to be out for the first eleven weeks of the season after required surgery to his hip.

In week eleven of the 2013 season, Percy Harvin was returning to the field to play again. However, it was his new team facing his former team; the same team matchup, in the same city, for his season debut, as his first game since his 2012 season ending injury.

I related to that eerie feeling of familiarity. So much seemed the same, yet so much was clearly now different. This familiarity stemmed from the fact that I was coincidentally returning the very same week as Percy Harvin. As our old lives and new lives were melded, undeniably my own life felt it was paralleling his story.

Stepping into the CenturyLink Stadium sent the energy through my veins hearing the excited voices and shouts before kickoff. The crowds roared loudly shaking the concrete ground. The team is our heart, and we, the fans, are the blood that fuels its beat.

It was that moment I knew returning to the starting point of my global journey did not mean I was backtracking. It made me realize what I wanted and where I felt the happiest future potential resides. Travel is my new life, but as I move forward once again, I still will always hold respect for my roots.

The Seahawks dominated the Vikings during Harvin’s return to the field. I knew forward is the only true direction life must go, even if it meant crossing old tracks. Going back to my old life will never be possible. Therefore, I move forward with a smile on my face – old faces and past memories continually supporting my new life. Fighting for true happiness, I had to switch things up and once again pull away from my roots.

Saying that I know how this man feels seems exaggerated. However, knowing his story and sensing life’s tendency for full circles had me relating many aspects of his life to mine. Unmistakably I sensed nuances of the returns to familiar faces and places.

As I cheered loudly, pushing my Seahawks to another win, it was obvious both Percy Harvin and I have lots in store for our futures. It felt good to be back in the game ready to keep playing my heart out. Go Hawks!

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2013 - Real Man Travels Year In Review

2013 was a roller coaster ride of a year, Its was a successful year and I have my friends to thank for it. I look forward to 2014 and I hope the year treats you well. I leave you with an Irish Cheers Sláinte!!

Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario: This Photo was taken on our way to the St. Mary's rapids to try our luck and new found skills at Fly Fishing. This was a great adventure that introduced me to some great people. Thanks Again to Soo North Fly Shop.

Bushplane Museum- Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario: This is my top mate Dylan in a small coin operated space shuttle. For those of you who do not know him, Dylan is 6'3. So you can Imagine how funny this would be in real life. 

Elmavale Zoo, Ontario Canada: This was at a school trip with my daughter's class and I will tell you that Giraffe tongues gross me out. However my daughter was not so squeamish as the Giraffe licked the food clean off her palm.

Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario Canada: I was lucky enough to be hosted by Parks Canada for a couple of days. We stayed in a Yurt which is an excellent way to camp. This photo was taken at Indian Head Cove right next to the grotto. 

Grundy Lake Provincial Park, Ontario Canada: The final shot of our homemade "Man Of The Year" competition where we compete in various outdoor events such as Fishing, Washer Toss and the Xtreme Challenge! 

 Brampton, Ontario Canada: This year we experienced Tree Top Trekking. It turned out to be quite the test of the mind and body. I remember feeling so proud of our group not one of us lost our balance and fell off during the whole course. This is not easy by any means.

Canadian Space and Aviation Museum - Ottawa, Ontario Canada: This past summer the kids and I took a road trip to Ottawa. When I look at this picture, it scares me a little. It actually looks like they know what they are doing...

Bon Echo Provincial Park Ontario, Canada: After hiking to the top of the cliffs, My hetero life mate Mike and I boarded the Mugwump Ferry and I captured this photo on our way back to the mainland. It was one of the best weather days of the year.

Dublin, Ireland: I went for a few walks in Dublin one was to the Temple Bar to drink beer and the other was an early morning stroll to St.Patrick's Cathedral.

Strandhill Beach, Sligo Ireland:  We were on our way for dinner and when we arrived this was the scene as 20 Travel Bloggers unloaded out of the bus and started taking pictures. The weather gods were smiling down on us the entire trip.

Streedagh Strand Sligo, Ireland: This photo was taken along a guided hike with SEATRAILS our guide was Auriel Robinson who is a Marine Archaeologist, While showing us amazing fossils along the shores, She told us many interesting stories of the unforgiving coastline.

Glenevin Waterfall, Ballyliffin Co. Donegal Ireland: This small but very picturesque waterfall can be found along a small pathway with sheep wandering free a few tiny bridges cross the stream along the way. We followed up this brisk fall walk with a stop at Nancy's Barn which we were served hot soup and coffee and delicious home-made treats.

Malin Head Donegal, Ireland: This was on a small hike at the most northern coastline of Ireland. Besides the swimming seals and breathtaking views of coastline, the wind also tried to take our breath away on many occasions.

Farren's Bar- Donegal, Ireland: This personalized pint was served up to us just after our hike at Malin Head at the end of our Ireland press trip. The location was Farren's Bar it is Ireland's most northerly pub I enjoyed unwinding with 20 new friends at the end of an amazing journey as we all posted our beer photos on instagram.

TCF Bank Stadium - Minneapolis, Minnesota: This photo was taken as a gag to re create an old Three Stooges photo. The representative of the Gophers stood there shaking his head like "you have got to be kidding me, are these guys for real?" But he took the picture and we love him for that.

Target Field - Minneapolis, Minnesota: The host of the 2014 MLB All Star game, The Twins have it all in this stadium. The tour of the stadium is one of the top rated tours in sports on ESPN.com. We were allowed to take a "special" tour and this is the view from the home dugout. Minneapolis is a great sports city.

TCF Bank Stadium - Minneapolis, Minnesota: Gopher Game Day, we were given 3 media passes to a Big Ten College football game so we showed up early to watch the players warm up and we were awarded with this photo. Yes I was laying on my stomach for this one.

Algonquin Provincial Park - Ontario, Canada: The girls and I took a fun little road trip to this picturesque little spot along the way we seen our very first Moose! When we reached this campground the sun was just setting over the lake as I started getting our supper ready on a camping stove on the tailgate of my truck.

Drysdale's Tree Farm - Utopia, Ontario: This was my last adventure of 2013, and one of my favorite because, it really shows off how happy I am making memories with my family.

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Real Man Travels University: Minnesota Golden Gophers

I’ve always struggled to understand the incredible allure that drives amateur sport that pro sport just doesn’t seem to replicate. The blind loyalty of a fan base that’s unquestioned as they cheer on their own. Their allegiance is predestined by geography, passed on through generations, and built into the fabric of their school’s campus. As an observer it’s been hard to comprehend. That all changed when the Golden Gophers of Minnesota invited us to experience what college football is all about.

left to right: Sam, Chris, and Mike enjoying the game from the sidelines

Driving to TCF Bank Stadium through the heart of the University of Minnesota campus, there’s no mistaking where you are. Rows of fraternity houses adorned with Greek letters blend into the towering school buildings. Campus buildings that have stood for over a century blend with modern facilities that you would expect from a state school. Students move to and from buildings showing their school pride in simple ways as the area buzzes over tomorrow’s Big10 match up against the rival Nebraska Cornhuskers.

“The Bank,” as it is known, is an oddity in college football. A state-of-the-art, brand spanking new on-campus stadium is something the Big10 conference hasn’t seen since 1960. The home locker room, the biggest in college and professional sports, is visually stunning and boasts 120 cherry-wood lockers. As Jeff, the senior director of TCF Bank Stadium & Outdoor Facilities, toured us through the $300 million stadium, we marveled at every turn.

Tossing the ball around during a tour of TCF Bank Stadium

When Saturday morning arrived we were giddy with anticipation. The buzz on campus and around the stadium was infectious. We watched Nebraska and Minnesota fans mix together in the stands as we navigated our way to the sidelines to take in the game. What would follow would be one of the most enjoyable football experiences of my life. I’ve watched a lot of football, but nothing the NFL has offered me could compare to what the Golden Gophers of Minnesota delivered that autumn day. A nail-biter of a game that was still very much up for grabs in the final five minutes until a Gophers rushing touchdown with 48 seconds remaining gave them the lead. An interception would serve as an exclamation point as Minnesota ended a 53 year losing streak against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The place went absolutely nuts, and I was hooked on NCAA football.

4th & Goal - 4 Reasons you should experience a Minnesota Golden Gophers home game:

1. Minnesota is a team on the rise. After back-to-back 3-9 seasons the Gophers are rebuilding their program “brick by brick” under coach Jerry Kill and have earned bowl appearances in each of the last two seasons. They will face Syracuse December 27 in the Texas Bowl on ESPN. 
2. Pure football experience. Don’t worry about your fantasy football line-up; just enjoy some of the best football on the planet.
3. Players leave it all out on the field. These are real student-athletes with classes and exams to deal with all week long; but come Saturday they play for their school and their future, not for a pay check.
4. The Fans. This fan base is one of the best I’ve ever had the pleasure to mingle with. They know their stuff and they keep the stadium rocking for the full 60 minutes.

some fans dressed up for the pre-Halloween game

Think your school can outdo the Gophers experience? The Real Man Travels team is currently looking for our next college football experience and would love to hear from you.

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Monday Night Bachelor Party '04 - Green Bay

Yep that's us. We made it home from Wisconsin. In time for my wedding No hangover story, but almost...

     After going to Green Bay the previous year (Story told here), we were hooked. We were heading back to title town, with new purpose. This year I was tying the knot with my longtime girlfriend Amanda, Which meant I was going to have a Bachelor Party. Not your typical bachelor party this was SPECIAL. It was Monday Night Football in Green Bay!  I asked my groomsman if they would go.... Of course they all said YES those wonderful guys. We planned it 6 months in advance so we could get a good seat. We chose the Monday night Game of October 11 versus The Tennessee Titans. We booked the Gold Package with Packer Fan tours, which meant we would meet a couple of the Packers Players and were staying at the Tundra Lodge, which had a Water Park!!!

                                 Tip - Water Parks are AWESOME for Bachelor Parties

     My brother Sam, My good friends Mike and Sean and I were up at 2 am getting ready for our 12 hour road trip to Wisconsin. Having driven the route before we knew the drive was nice. Driving around Lake Michigan was more amazing with the fall foliage in full effect.

Sean doesn't like to snuggle :(

      When we arrived at the Hotel, we found ourselves feeling like kids again, with the Arcade and the Water Park. The room was a little small but we didn't really mind because we liked snuggling. (Except for Sean).

                                                 The three things I had on my must do list

                                                        1.Tour Lambeau Field

                                                        2. Brett Favre's Steakhouse

                                                        3. Witness A Packer win

     So we booked our tour and sniffed out Favre's Steakhouse which was delicious, we filled ourselves with delicious expensive meat. The Menu.

      After we picked up 36 cans of American beer and relaxed in the room, we could feel it. This was going to be the best Mancation EVER

      The Next morning we went to the water park when it opened. I didn't feel awkward being the only 22 year old "kids" there. My friend Sean he did though he promptly and awkwardly told every female life guard "We're not gay." Every girl had a different reaction but none of them believed him, it was very funny.
 What wasn't funny was the heckling I got from an 11 year old kid who was better at the "floating pads" part of the park or as I call it Sinkers and Floaters except when I went on it everyone was a sinker. The kid said "It’s so easy and you can't do it" I responded with my pride wounded "hey little kid I'm just trying to have fun, this takes a lot of agility and I drank a lot of beer last night so leave me alone". After i was done crying I had a great time.

Beautiful Fall Day at Lambeau

We arrived early for our tour of Lambeau Field, we played the Arcade games, to pass the time. We all wondered if the Pack would win On Monday night. "It sure would be nice. " I thought.

 When they came and got us for the tour they take u around the whole entire facility and tell you little stories or interesting facts about the different parts of the stadium.

In a Nutshell these are the most important parts of the tour.

The Player Tunnel was so cool.

1: Our tour guide made note that "The Vikings play in a dome so God can't watch them play. Because they suck so bad. (Note* Packers 1-4 at the time, finished season 10-6. Lost to the Vikings in the Wild Card Playoff Game)

2. The Boxed indoor seats are Amazing and expensive.

3. The Path that the Players take to the field is quite powerful and the field is amazing it gives me goose bumps just thinking of it.

Player meet and greet.

That evening we had the player meet and greet with running back Najeh Davenport and Packer Great William Henderson ! They were really nice guys . 

     The next day was the big day we slept in and got our party on early. I remember fondly waking up watching everyone else stretch and wake up. Sean sits up grabs a beer. The sound of the can opening grabbed every ones attention. Sam says walking out of the bathroom "Oh it’s this kind of a party is it?" and grabs a beer. a smile appeared on Sean’s face as he says "That's how we do it" as all four of us opened the beer. All of a sudden Mike like a flash of lightning runs out of the bathroom "It’s gonna overflow!!! I didn't do it!" talking about the toilet someone may or may not have plugged... (We know who it was....)

     We had a great time getting primed for the tailgate party, we knew there would be tonnes of food and beer and cookies!.

     When we arrived at the tailgate party it was beautiful weather and they had a DJ playing some good tunes. We met some people our age. We danced from the beer to food to the beer and then moon walked to the Porto potty (Mostly from the beer to the Porto potty, Damn American Beer).

     We had a great time before we knew it, we were en route to the stadium with a little bit of Stagger Swagger in us. The All of a sudden I'm shaking hands with the Governor of Wisconsin Jim Doyle as he is trying to get me to vote for him he gives me a sticker I put it on one sleeve. Then two seconds later I'm talking with his opponent as hey gives me the vote speech, I take a sticker from him slap it on the other sleeve. As I walk away shaking my head laughing to myself thinking "I am Canadian I can't vote for you." The Joke was on me though because those were some kind of super stickers and the glue is still stuck to my Favre jersey.

     That game started out as amazing, we had really great people around us they even bought me a beer because it was my bachelor party. The crowd was electric When Favre came out of the Tunnel I savoured that moment as i thought it maybe my last time seeing it live. Long Story Short they lost. My most triumphant moment came when I FINALLY got on the Jumbo Screen, "Hey camera guy I'm 13 rows away from you I know u can hear me, put me on the screen!!!" I yelled. "There I am! There we are!!" I squealed... So I took the bounty that I had off of the camera guy.

     After the game we stopped at the hotel bar for one more beer as we drank it this nice looking lady sits  beside Sean and starts chatting him up. Sean puts his country boy charm to work and has her laughing and I was like "Holy Shit, that's a cougar and she is on the PROWL!" Honestly enough she was probably just looking for conversation....  Us guys were tired and walked back to the room laughing about Sean getting picked up randomly.  The night ended well, sure we were mad about the loss, but we had a great time.

 

On the way home we were interrogated by the border patrol and I felt as if I wasn’t going to be coming home. But after paying a bit of duty we were on our way.

                                              Tip-  Always declare something at the border.

Looking back on that trip, I realize how lucky I was to have 3 people in my life that I was able to share that with. Even though they lost, Even though I love Purple now (Reason #1, Reason #2)  I still love Green Bay and think about going back often. Maybe if they retire #4 or #80....

Follow me everywhere on Twitter @RealManTravel

Enjoy your Super Bowl Weekend!


 

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Minnesota Vikings Won My Heart 2010

                                      Minnesota vs. Dallas January 2009. Dreams DO Come true...            


    Being a football fan is one of the best and one of the worst things you can do, 2009 was one of those  sweet sweet seasons that left a sour taste in my mouth.

    January 2007 30 below(celcius) Brett Favre carried the Packers to the NFC Championship against The New York Giants. Favre ended that game with a ill advised throw. Interceptions the Achilles Heal of Brett Favre.  As a fan it was devastating. Nothing would prepare any of us for the circus that would follow in the coming years...

    I myself never stopped believing in Favre. I went with the circus, even though it landed me Heartbroken when he retired (real tears), relieved when he came back, shocked when he was traded (then i got my period), then to being a fan of the Jets in a 9-7 season which at points was quite exciting.... The very reason I was a fan of his, was because he was exciting to watch good or bad. He always went for it. Sometimes Amazing, Sometime Not so much. I always braced for the worse to take the edge off the devastation.

   When he retired the second time I figured I never would see him on the field again. I was wrong and I was Happy Happy Happy. Revenge was what I had in mind and what an awesome match up between Minnesota and Green Bay, the drama was rich and as a fan I loved it. The anticipation was killing me especially after I bought Tickets for the September match up vs the Lions.

     The Vikings won that day in Detroit both the game and my heart.

 In 2009 Viking went 13-3!there was quite a few notable games that year one being the home game against San Fracisco, when in the dying seconds of the game Favre laid out a desperation pass right before getting his clock cleaned... Miraculously Greg Lewis Caught this ball and kept his feet in bounds. That play was my play of the year. It was Amazing. (THE CATCH!!!!)

  Also That Year Christmas Came Early, TWICE! 2 blowout Victories against the Packers showed me the old man was in it to win it all. The first victory blew my mind literally and the second victory was like a superbowl win. A notable loss came just before my birthday in December 2008 I knew the Vikings were in the playoffs I started dropping hints saying dont buy me anything for Christmas and my Birthday which are 5 days apart and please get me to Minnesota to see possibly Favre's Last hurrah. It was worth a shot

    My Lovely Wife and Amazing Parents came through with 2 Tickets and a Flight. What great people.

    My Brother and I were on our way! Handle bar Mustache (charity) and all to Minneapolis from Toronto on a Northern Bound Air Canada Flight. Where we would stay 2 nights at the Holiday Inn Metro Dome. Turned out they were facing the Dallas Cowboys, a worthy opponent.  We were so excited to be going there, there was about 10 football fans on the plane going for the game. This added to the excitement. Sam wasnt feeling the greatest but he soldiered on.

     When we arrived in Minneapolis hopped on the tram which is like a slow moving subway that connects the airport to the mall of america to the downtown and you can ride it for 3.00 one way(bargain). we talked football with a lot of the locals, we hopped off the tram at the stop, right in front of the metro dome. Called the hotel for a shuttle pick up waited and took in the city in the -15 air.

    The Hotel was nice about a 10 min walk from the stadium. We didnt rest when we got to the room we started gettin ready to go to the Biggest Mall in Murica. The Mall of America is Huge with many of the stores having doubles. It also had the Nickelodeon land as well as being 3 stories tall. Our Highlight was meeting some of the viking cheerleaders at the Vikings store.(meow) We walked until we were tired then took the tram back downtown. Grabbed some beers and settled in for some Saturday Playoff Games. Then we ordered the BEST Spicy Chicken BBQ pizza I have ever tasted from CiCi's called "The Wrangler" Chicken red onion and hot peppers with an amazing bbq sauce that makes it taste like candy.... (my mouth is watering).It was so good we had it saturday & sunday after the game. It was on the money both times. Amazing Pizza.

       It was all very strange to be doing something you never thought you would do. But we were doing it and we never took it for granted, we knew it could all be over on Sunday, all that money and time would be wasted and we would have to be happy no matter the outcome. I have never liked losing.

When we woke up in the morning we took it easy, grabbed some breakfast the hotel was filled with fans. started watching all the local pre game stuff taking it in, I had some beers Sam still not feeling well, sipped at one. We were both nervous, our first playoff game. How would it end?

     We walked outside the hotel to a beautiful winters day. Hopped onto the shuttle bus where there was 49 Minnesota Fans and 1 Dallas Cowboy fan and we all booed that poor man. Still makes me chuckle. When we got closer to the stadium I could see Tailgating for a mile. "Impressive" I thought to myself. We hopped off the bus, seen some XTREME Viking fans with some pretty wild Viking Goblets they drink out of. The air was filled with electricity. I grabbed a Program a
, a Tshirt for the wife, a toque for me and 3 favre bears for the kids. Then to the beer lineup...
 
     Grabbed 2 Beers and stood in a large line to get in. It seemed like forever standing in the cold but we had our beer and there was some pretty amusing trash talk goin on between the Fans. Finally they opened the gates. Slowly we made our way in as we got closer to the door, we felt like we were getting sucked in, you have to have been there before to understand.  The metrodome is pretty outdated the hallways very small, same with the bathrooms. We found are seats and then i had to find a bathroom I really had to go (merican beer = water). On my way to the bathroom and  i was pushed out of the way by Jerry Jones' entourage which was pretty cool to see him, but it wasnt worth peeing myself.

After I came back and settled in my seat we had made friends all around us, I love this about football fans. In most cases we have an instant bond , even with the opposition with respectful (hopefully) smack talk. We were also with in earshot of Jerry Jones (too bad for him)  That day I lost my voice, watched Favre play one of his best playoff games ever, throwing four touchdowns three to an amazing Sidney Rice and one touchdown by rice for 47 yards (GOOSEBUMPS)... That play I will never forget. The Defense also played Magnificent sacking Romo 6 times and holding the Cowboys to 3 points.  34-3 the final score for the good guys.

     I remember looking around and seeing the shocked Cowboys fans, it could've been our turn to suffer, Shocked sitting in our seats while everyone was leaving, Sam and I watched as Jared Allen and Ray Allen Celebrated as they left the field and Favre looking like he was 26 hopping around The remaining fans were going nuts  I feel like we really took that moment in. I will never forget it. That moment was for Favre . This is why he came back.
 
       That moment I thought we had a real chance at the super bowl and i was right we had a "chance". Then Poof it was gone. That Cinderella Season was over. But I will relive most of it with my brother every chance we get.

     That night sitting in the hotel in disbelief of what happened. We ate our delicious Cici's pizza, mine The Wrangler and Sam's pepperoni. We laughed at our previous thoughts of dooming the vikes by being there. We were in football heaven. We watched the night game and retired for the night.

    Looking Back Best Live Game of my life, Metrodome may be old but the homefield advantage is the noise! it is very loud there and I love it. I remember calling friends and family after touchdowns. Just so they. Could be there with us in spirit. That's pretty much why I share my stories. To take you to where I was.



Enjoy the game tonight Cheers
Chris

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