DAY #3

ORANGE MOB

The National Puerto Rican Day Parade is in the city today. If their party has taken to the streets, then the Dutch have taken their party to Tonic in Times Square. Before the game, I was told that if you’re looking for an atmosphere to watch Holland play this month, then Tonic would the place to be on game days. Well, I will only say that the advice was right in absolutely all accounts. I just ask that if you decide to partake in the fun on the 21st when the Dutch play Argentina come early and make sure you wear your orange. The place is absolutely electric as I make my way inside the door at 8:30 am. A standing room only crowd greets me as much as the sheer number of orange shirts and painted faces. I see immediately that whole families are here to root for their team. And with seeing this, I have now named Tonic as my favorite place so far on the tour and a place you must go to if you decide to watch any of the Holland games these next couple of weeks. Yes, I did say the next couple of weeks.

Blind luck has found me a seat with a view of any one of the “walls” of TV screens that make up the entire side of the bar. A luck that my team and I wish we had last night as Ricardo Clark’s shot deflected off Mark Lisi’s foot into the goal. Although the season feels much like the movie “Groundhog Day,” the World Cup enters a new day. A day marked with Robben as a super-hero, the Mexicans looking sharp and Portugal just getting through their game very much like England the day before.

As I said before, orange is everywhere at Tonic and they’re celebrating a wonderful start to their tournament. I was very impressed with Argentina yesterday, but Holland has taken their game to even another level in my opinion. Robben is inspiring, Van Nistelrooy is dangerous as always and the team’s use of possession to control the tempo of the game should be a clinic film for all young teams on how to truly impart your will on the game. After seeing the 90 minutes of play, I’m hoping my fellow teammates take note as well.

After the game, I almost feel there is a need for me to head to Niketown to pick me up one of those great Holland Nike jerseys. The jersey is a great look for a team filled with style. My advice for you is to go get some orange for yourself and head over to Tonic. June 16th and June 21st at Tonic will be the place to be in the city as Holland takes on the Ivory Coast and Argentina. I’m sure that each entertaining game will have an entertaining crowd. A crowd with a love of the sport, a passion for their team and a hand close to their beloved Heineken. So go to Tonic, get there early and enjoy yourself. I know I’ll be there again.

Since I’m still feeling the effects of last night’s game on the body, I decide to hop back on the 1 subway train to the Upper West Side. A mere half-block away from our place is a joint I know will be filled with Mexican supporters getting themselves ready for the day’s second game. As I get to Mona, the place has a healthy amount of fans eager for the game to begin. Honestly, I last only the first 45 minutes due to my dislike/ displeasure of the Mexican team. I spent over 3 years playing in Los Angeles and there wasn’t a week that went by that I didn’t hear how Americans were not soccer players. Yes, I’m still bitter. I decide that my couch was a better place to mope on the success of the Mexican team in the second half. I will give them some credit though; the Mexicans were somewhat sharp today and who were very deserving of their result.

The Portugal game is almost finished now. This is a game that I thought would be over in the first 30 minutes of the game. Here’s hoping that Portugal brings a little more their next game, because they lost their luster later in the game.

Hopefully I will see everyone at Stout!

I promise that pictures will be on their way soon.


Next Stop: DAY #4 (Monday)

Australia’s morning game: Sunburnt Cow
137 Ave C, between 8th and 9th
212.529.0005
The Cow's game day deal:
A $10 breakfast buffet for Australia's 9am opener (morning's first alcoholic beverage included), and a $25, 2hr open bar for matches starting at less
Australian drinking times sounds good to me to start my day and get me ready for Stout and the USA game.

Stout- USA game

USA: Stout
133 W 33rd St, between
7th and Broadway 212.629.6191
As explained to me: “this enormous bar's got tons of TVs, 22 beers on tap, and almost no Europeans to rain on your parade for thinking the US has a chance in hell of beating Italy. “ I’m sure this place will also have tons of my teammates there rooting for the USA.