piltdownman Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Maybe this question will label myself as being very green, but I'll ask it anyways. How many, if any, people travel to the away WCQ games? I'm setting out my budget for the next few years and would love to hear from people who have done this or are planning to. Either for a single game, or the whole lot of them. I'd love to go with like minded people to hostile grounds to cheer on our team. Thanx In Advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 I believe Sigma, Radz's girlfriend and the Canadian vice-consul were the only Canadian supporters last time in CRC. I'd look into it for the Hex, or if we end up in the USA's semi-final group. I have seen Canada away in Lux, Austria and Wales (and the GC in Boston). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piltdownman Posted June 26, 2007 Author Share Posted June 26, 2007 Based on the most recent Qualification ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_%28CONCACAF%29 ) I'm guessing the format is as follows: Preliminary Round (Spring WC - 2 Yr) , 2 games : A simple home and away, although it seems that some of the teams give up there home game either for 2 games at the bigger country or a game in the USA Semifinal Round (Aug -> Nov WC - 2Yrs), 6 games: 3 groups of four teams play 6 games each, against each other in the group home and away Final Round (Feb -> Oct WC - 1Yr), 10 games: 6 teams play each other in the the group home and away So thats nine home and nine away. -//- For example take Mexico last time round: June 19, 2004, San Antonio, USA - Dominica 0 - 10 Mexico June 27, 2004, Aguascalientes, Mexico - Mexico 8 - 0 Dominica --- September 8, 2004, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago - Trinidad & Tobago 1 - 3 Mexico October 6, 2004, Pachuca, Mexico - Mexico 7 - 0 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines October 10, 2004, Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 - 1 Mexico October 13, 2004, Puebla, Mexico - Mexico 3 - 0 Trinidad & Tobago November 13, 2004, Miami, USA - Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 - 5 Mexico November 17, 2004, Monterrey, Mexico - Mexico 8 - 0 Saint Kitts and Nevis --- February 9 2005, San José, Costa Rica - Costa Rica 1 - 2 Mexico March 27 2005, Mexico City, Mexico - Mexico 2 - 1 USA March 30, 2005, Panama City, Panama - Panama 1 - 1 Mexico June 4, 2005, Guatemala City, Guatemala - Guatemala 0 - 2 Mexico June 8, 2005, Monterrey, Mexico - Mexico 2 - 0 Trinidad & Tobago August 17, 2005, Mexico City, Mexico - Mexico 2 - 0 Costa Rica September 3, 2005, Columbus, USA - USA 2 - 0 Mexico September 7, 2005, Mexico City, Mexico - Mexico 5 - 0 Panama October 8, 2005, San Luis Potosí, Mexico - Mexico 5 - 2 Guatemala October 12, 2005, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago - Trinidad & Tobago 2 - 1 Mexico Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beaver Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Interesting to see/hear even more football fans who were on the fringe of supporting our National team are now keen on catching Canada's WCQ next year and beyond. I know of a handful of fans who will catch the odd game on tv who were so impressed with our team's performance in the US that they feel inspired to follow our team across the country, and maybe even abroad. Great to see. Just goes to show what winning a few games can do, especially when you won them playing good football. The saying is "America loves a winner" but I think you could pretty well say that about any country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadasBest Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Let's get people going to our Home WCQ games first. I would much rather make the trip to Toronto, Edmonton etc. to catch our home games, than Costa Rica etc. for the Away games. I am budgeting to attend all home WCQ games in 2008 and 2009 except if we play a country like Belize or something as a preliminary. I think in most countries you'd be pretty safe wearing Canadian colours. As long as a big group wasn't chanting "We're going home to a 1st World Country!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beaver Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 quote:Originally posted by gwallace76 Let's get people going to our Home WCQ games first. I would much rather make the trip to Toronto, Edmonton etc. to catch our home games, than Costa Rica etc. for the Away games. I am budgeting to attend all home WCQ games in 2008 and 2009 except if we play a country like Belize or something as a preliminary. I think in most countries you'd be pretty safe wearing Canadian colours. As long as a big group wasn't chanting "We're going home to a 1st World Country!" I've not been to a match yet--except U20 Canada v. Scotland--where that chant was NOT done. (One of my favourite, against Costa Rica, was "You're going home in wet, soft taco.") Anyhow, I agree with gwallace76: we need as many fans out to our home games as possible, and I will do my best to get out to Edmonton, Victoria and maybe Toronto. (My wife and I are expecting our second child in February, so this might prove tough). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vancouver Fan Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 I might be up for the odd road trip. We can talk about it in the Southside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free kick Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 quote:Originally posted by Sigma The crowd wasn't hostile at all towards me despite wearing my Canada jersey and having my Canadian flag out. I was interviewed on Costa Rican radio, and random people came up to talk to me. I once asked someone from Mexico, that I knew from work, about what it would be like going to a WCQ in Mexico city as a visiting supporter. He did not recommend that, on the premise of ones own safety. Mind you thats just ones persons observation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vancouver Fan Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 quote:Originally posted by Free kick I once asked someone from Mexico, that I knew from work, about what it would be like going to a WCQ in Mexico city as a visiting supporter. He did not recommend that, on the premise of ones own safety. Mind you thats just ones persons observation. Yeah, I'd have to think about that one. I don't think it's the type of place that any foreigner needs to go to for any reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadasBest Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 A friend of mine grew up in Mexico City, relatively close to Azteca stadium. He said that he doesn't remember any problems at Azteca with opposing fans during national team games. I think most Canadians are pretty well liked. I'd probably be more worried if I was American. Double whammy getting your as$ handed to you, and then not being able to afford the doctors to put you back together again. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piltdownman Posted June 27, 2007 Author Share Posted June 27, 2007 In an attempt to get some idea of upper bounds costs I've took Mexico's Schedule and looked at the cost of flight at orbitz. I did not look for any deals, and didn't even try shifting around the days to get a better rate. I simply put two days before the each date and returned two days after. Prices are in USD From YVR,YEA,YTO June 19, 2004, San Antonio, USA - Dominica 0 - 10 Mexico SAT, $442, $571, $556 --- September 8, 2004, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago - Trinidad & Tobago 1 - 3 Mexico POS, $994, $1049, $350* October 10, 2004, Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 - 1 Mexico SVD, $1233, $1176, $710 November 13, 2004, Miami, USA - Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 - 5 Mexico MIA, $687, $503, $444 --- February 9 2005, San José, Costa Rica - Costa Rica 1 - 2 Mexico SJO, $835, $694, $623 March 30, 2005, Panama City, Panama - Panama 1 - 1 Mexico PTY, $866, $822, $699 June 4, 2005, Guatemala City, Guatemala - Guatemala 0 - 2 Mexico GVA, $779, $778, $675 September 3, 2005, Columbus, USA - USA 2 - 0 Mexico UBS, $867, $899, $765 October 12, 2005, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago - Trinidad & Tobago 2 - 1 Mexico POS, $917, $944, $416* *Its really is that cheap from Port of Spain to Toronto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free kick Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 It was 50-50 for a while in deciding to go to the WCQ in Edm or the WCQ in Costa Rica. After weighing the all the plusses and minuses of each option I opted for Edm. But costs did not even factor into it. In fact, If I recall correctly, the Costa Rica trip might have been cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maccaliam Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 it is a very real possibility that I will be going to at least one away game in WCQ... hopefully a central american one at that. I am trying to schedule my next few contracts to allow this freedom of both schedule and funds. It's a bit early days yet but we should defo get a group organized to head away together, no matter how big or small. EDIT: just out of curiosity, who is planning on attending the Costa Rica match on Sept 12? anyone know when tix go on sale? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthew Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 The last time we played a WCQ in Azteca there were a handful of Canadian fans, mostly women and they were waving the flag and seemingly had no problems. US's Sam's Army sent a group down in the same cycle and they needed a police escort to and from and needed the riot squad to hold their shields up as they got some love from the upper deck for 90 minutes. So who knows what could happen. As a guy with three weeks holiday/year and no chance of being able to hit a WCQ in Canada without burning holiday time, it's tough enough to make it to the home games. I'd love to make a trip away, but my priority is the home games. cheers, matthew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piltdownman Posted June 27, 2007 Author Share Posted June 27, 2007 Well I'm considering going to each and every match. It would use up most of my 6 weeks vacation so the misses won't be happy. I just hope Toronto doesn't get all the home games. A mix of games in Edmonton, Vancouver and Victoria would be really nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeta Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 Not me. Made the mistake of waiting for The Hex last go around (trying to save holiday time) and won't be making that mistake this next time. Should be at almost all the home fixtures. Besides, you'll bloody well need a passport, DNA sample and anal probe to enter the US of A by this time next year so unless you're flying direct to Mexico, Jamaica or wherever it's going to be a Level 1 hassle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pulsar Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 With regards to watching MNT games in "hostile" territory, I was at the Can / Scotland match, i think in '03, and it was a sell out at easter road. The Tartan Army was there in full strength and putting on a show before the news cameras. I had my Cdn. jersey, hat and scarf and at the protest of my friends, ran straight into the group and started cheering on Canada. The only "problem" I had was trying to stop the "Army" from laughing so hard and being told to get a pair of skates and then trying to hold all the beer they bought me. My next problem was the Canadian fans yelling out hockey terms. Oh!!! I made it on the news that night as well!! In, Arenal, Costa Rica, in 1998, we had our Cdn. soccer tees on and someone from across the bar yells out BUNBURRRRRRRRRYYY!!!!!!!!!!!! It was then that 20 people spilled onto the street and went on to play a game at 2 am in the morning between Costa RIcan Bunburys and and the 2 Canadian Polar bears. When it comes to Canadian Soccer, we are not a threat to people, have firms, etc....we are fans..plain and simple and i think people around the world appreciate that. Hopefulley I can catch the second round of qualifiers as I will be in Italy for most of next year. Happy to see my Juventus play but would love to be with a great group of Canadian supporters somewhere in the Jungle or at Swanguard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrennanFan Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 I plan on going to 1 away game next cycle, and I do hope interested V's can decide on one game and go as a group. Home games should be everyones priority tho, as we need the numbers. Further, I FULLY plan on supporting Canada in South Africa in 08. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadasBest Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 I really think we should have a National Voyageurs "Convention" of sorts at the first Home Game of qualifying. We should pick a game and try to have as many out of town people as possible travel for one game in particular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free kick Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 A couple of thoughts on traveling abroad for WCQ: Qualifying in Concacaf is structured in such a way that half the teams in each group at each stage advance. Meaning that, you don't need win ( or earn results) in all your games. But what is crucial is your results in the home matches; the away result are much more inconsequential and should be view as bonus games with an opportunity to earn bonus points. Hence, your are less likely to see a favourable result, and an entertaining display by Canada, in an away match. That was the determining factor in my decision to go to EDM rather than Costa Rica. Namely, ( in the strong group that canada was placed in), the Edmonton game was crucial whereas the game in Costa Rica game was not. As a result, I would never forgo an opportunity to attend a home game in favour of an away game in Latin America or the Carribean. Your support is needed at home. It was crucial in Edmonton and I still believe to this day, that ( although the Voyageurs did more than their share) the overall turnout was a determining factor in the outcome of that game versus Honduras. Of course, if you have time and money to go to both, more power to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPB Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 Azteca is a thing of wonder. I went to Mex-USA match, as a neutral in the company of a mixed band of fans (7 Americans and 12 Mexicans) and the experience in the midst of the filled stadium was ... stupendous. If you get the opportunity, take it. Saw a club match in El Salvador and that was a different experience entirely. At one point the ball went into the stands and play was stalled for about 10 minutes while the crowd passed the ball around. Heh. Still, a truly big party from start to finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue and White Army Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 I think the only senior match I've attended was vs. Wales in Wrexham back in 2004. Wanted to attend Austria and Hungary in 2006, but I was too poor for the first match and has some personal issues arise during the second. I had already bought the $100 air ticket to Hungary with EasyJet. Not sure what or when, but I'm sure to be attending Canada matches at some point in the future. Wouldn't mind visiting BMO Field, seeing as I went to York and Centennial matches during the Lynx days of 2002. Like most people, I'm on a budget... and attending Canada's matches at South Africa 2010 will be the priority. With our recent performances, I'm fairly optimistic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesW Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 What the heck is happening in South Africa in 2008? Sorry, just had to ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maccaliam Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 I missed out on both of Canada's away games to Ireland and Austria due to not being able to wake up from the session that went on the night before. i had my flights booked and paid for, and for the Irish match my cousins had my game tickets waiting for me at Landsdowne, but I managed to oversleep and miss the flights. Gutted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piltdownman Posted November 25, 2007 Author Share Posted November 25, 2007 Ok time to bump this thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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