WCQ Away Game Travel

[CanadianSoccerFan]

I'm starting to think about away games.  Anyone else starting to book time off?

Sunday Sept 5 @ USA.  Likely in the south because this game is sandwiched between two US games in Central America.  Definitely going to this one even if it's a flight.

Thursday Oct 7 @ Mexico.  This one might be played outside of the Azteca because they have two consecutive home games.

Sunday Oct 10 @ Jamaica.  I'll pass on that one

Thursday Jan 27 @ Honduras.  Don't have the balls

Wednesday Feb 2 @ El Salvador.  See above

Thursday Mar 24 @ Costa Rica:  Could be the first of a two game trip with Panama

Wednesday Mar 30 @ Panama:  See above.  Travel between Costa Rica and Panama is not as easy as I would have predicted but worth looking into.

 

It's hit me recently that this is the last real World Cup qualifying cycle with a single table and the best playing the best.  We're automatically into 2026 and 2030 will have 6.5 berths.  So this is it folks!  If you want to experience these trips with these stakes against these teams then it's time to live in the present and go for it. 

Edited July 5, 2021 by CanadianSoccerFan

[BrennanFan]

I'm aiming for Costa Rica away. 

[dyslexic nam]

I am already starting to plan Costa Rica away.  Lining it up with the kids’ March Break and thinking about a 2 day layover in Toronto to catch the March 27th home game vs Jamaica.  

[JamboAl]

I am not looking past Sept/Oct but am planning on going to USA away (assuming the border opens up) and possibly Jamaica away - which is a bit intimidating if held in the National Stadium in Kingston.

[CanadianSoccerFan]

I'm predicting the US will play us in Austin.  Guaranteed packed house with all the MLS expansion hype and the shortest travel for them to and from their away games in Central America before and after.  This would also make it a tough ticket with only 20K seats.  Hopefully I'm wrong and they choose an NFL stadium

[smiddy]

I'm feeling Costa Rica/Panama. 

[Unnamed Trialist]

8 hours ago, CanadianSoccerFan said:

I'm predicting the US will play us in Austin.  Guaranteed packed house with all the MLS expansion hype and the shortest travel for them to and from their away games in Central America before and after.  This would also make it a tough ticket with only 20K seats.  Hopefully I'm wrong and they choose an NFL stadium

Just want to clarify as I posted on this above: Miami is a slightly shorter flight flying from San Salvador than Austin or anywhere in Texas. And slightly shorter to go from Miami to Honduras.

I also do not think there are regular direct flights El Salvador/Honduras to Austin. And Austin does not have as many direct flights in general, in case they thought of setting up base there before their away trip to El Salvador.

I think it is going to come down to Orlando, Miami, Houston or Dallas. In all cases that gives us from TO or Mtl a similar travel as they have going to Central America and back, so we are not going to be at any disadvatage. We should not even have to miss a day's training with max 3 hour flights.

Edited June 17, 2021 by Unnamed Trialist

[mrstepp817]

Typically the US doesnt play WCQ in NFL stadiums 

US home games in the 2018 Hex

vs Mexico (Columbus)

vs Honduras (San Jose)

vs T&T (Kansas City MLS Stadium)

vs Costa Rica (Red Bull Stadium(

vs Panama (Orlando)

 

I'd lean to a Canada game being in Houston or Miami but that's not a sure thing by any means....those aren't exactly USMNT strongholds known for good attendance etc...could easily see Nashville or Kansas City come into play..

[TGAA_Star]

Canada/USA I think is the game everyone wants to go to especially if it is away on the road or if it is Canada/Mexico in Mexico...mainly because of the weather it is always hot in Mexico

[Shway]

Question... I’ve never done an away trip, so how’s the security for small groups? Does it need to be a group to have security?

[Shway]

2 minutes ago, TGAA_Star said:

Canada/USA I think is the game everyone wants to go to especially if it is away on the road or if it is Canada/Mexico in Mexico...mainly because of the weather it is always hot in Mexico

It’s always hot in the majority of the countries except Canada. 

[dyslexic nam]

15 minutes ago, TGAA_Star said:

Canada/USA I think is the game everyone wants to go to especially if it is away on the road or if it is Canada/Mexico in Mexico...mainly because of the weather it is always hot in Mexico

Unlike frigid Jamaica, Costa Rica and Panama...? 

Seriously - think about what you are posting sometimes.  

[TGAA_Star]

1 minute ago, dyslexic nam said:

Unlike frigid Jamaica, Costa Rica and Panama...? 

Seriously - think about what you are posting sometimes.  

Yeah Jamaica, Costa Rica and Panama have great weather but so does Mexico and that is my damn point. The point being that who wouldn't want to go to a Canada/Mexico game not just because of the weather but also because of the God damn atmosphere. SMH at most of you like don't get me fuckin upset today please.

[CanadianSoccerFan]

1 hour ago, Unnamed Trialist said:

Just want to clarify as I posted on this above: Miami is a slightly shorter flight flying from San Salvador than Austin or anywhere in Texas. And slightly shorter to go from Miami to Honduras.

I also do not think there are regular direct flights El Salvador/Honduras to Austin. And Austin does not have as many direct flights in general, in case they thought of setting up base there before their away trip to El Salvador.

I think it is going to come down to Orlando, Miami, Houston or Dallas. In all cases that gives us from TO or Mtl a similar travel as they have going to Central America and back, so we are not going to be at any disadvatage. We should not even have to miss a day's training with max 3 hour flights.

The US team flies charter to these games so they won't be concerned about airports. 

I think this will come down to where they have the best home advantage.  For that reason I doubt Miami, Houston, and Dallas.  More likely Florida location is Orlando.  They packed it against Panama last campaign

[dyslexic nam]

2 minutes ago, TGAA_Star said:

Yeah Jamaica, Costa Rica and Panama have great weather but so does Mexico and that is my damn point. The point being that who wouldn't want to go to a Canada/Mexico game not just because of the weather but also because of the God damn atmosphere. SMH at most of you like don't get me fuckin upset today please.

That wasn’t your “damn point”.  You didn’t mention the atmosphere.  You picked one of multiple hot countries and said that people should go there because it is hot.  You post random things that make no sense.   It is like not watching the first Haiti game and then posting about who should play in the next one.  

[DontPanic]

Away game in Mexico City? Who knows what could happen. Could end up hiding a loonie in the Mexico team locker room. Or getting escorted home in a riot bus. 
just saying. 

[dyslexic nam]

3 minutes ago, DontPanic said:

Away game in Mexico City? Who knows what could happen. Could end up hiding a loonie in the Mexico team locker room. Or getting escorted home in a riot bus. 
just saying. 

Of the away trip possibilities, it is the one I would be least likely to attend.  

[DontPanic]

Lol. Was more of a reminiscence of last trip than a recommendation of the next one. 
 

Costa Rica would be the best choice in my opinion. combination of destination, safety, winnable game, tourism infrastructure, schedule (enough time in advance to plan and organize ) ease of travel time etc etc 

 

Edited June 17, 2021 by DontPanic

[Shway]

48 minutes ago, Shway said:

Question... I’ve never done an away trip, so how’s the security for small groups? Does it need to be a group to have security?

Valid question. 

Is security arranged? Does the CSA help with anything? 

I feel like in terms of “potential danger” all these countries are the damn same depending on where you go and when the night comes (albeit El Savador/Honduras).

[dyslexic nam]

Just now, Shway said:

Valid question. 

Is security arranged? Does the CSA help with anything? 

I feel like in terms of “potential danger” all these countries are the damn same depending on where you go and when the night comes (albeit El Savador/Honduras).

I haven’t tried being an away supporter in these countries but have been to CR, Jamaica and Mexico.  I felt perfectly safe in most parts of San Jose (CR) without any kind of security.  Jamaica was good but you had to be smart about personal safety (we almost got mugged in Negril) - and Kingston seems like it could be a different sort of beast than the tourism hotspots where there is more protection.  Mexico City seems like a whole different ballgame than the Yucatan and has gotten a bad rep in the last few years.  It probably isn’t something I would attempt at this point.  Haven’t been to Honduras but I think they are trying to lure more tourists in   Having said that, if home fans are willing to throw bags of piss at the visiting team, I am not sure you are getting invited out for a beer after the game by the locals if we go there and get a result they dislike.

Bottom line - I think it is pretty context specific.  Based on my limited experience, CR would be my first choice in terms of (lack of) away security concerns.  Most parts of San Jose are quite safe and most Ticos know the value that tourism brings to their country.  

[narduch]

I'm kinda sad Curacao didn't advance 

[Ngravs]

2 hours ago, Shway said:

Question... I’ve never done an away trip, so how’s the security for small groups? Does it need to be a group to have security?

I went to the Impact away game in Costa Rica at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa and we were surrounded by armed policeman to get in the stadium and after the game we had to wait till everyone was out and were accompanied out to a certain location again. That said all the Tico’s passing us were so friendly and respectful. Definitely recommend an away trip there! 

* The scariest moment was when we all had to stand in a line against the stadium and they brought a huge sniffer dog to see if anyone had drugs and they told us that if we made any sudden movements the dog would attack. Safe to say no one moved!  

Edited June 17, 2021 by Ngravs

[Shway]

3 minutes ago, Ngravs said:

I went to the Impact away game in Costa Rica at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa and we were surrounded by armed policeman to get in the stadium and after the game we had to wait till everyone was out and were accompanied out to a certain location again.

Is it safe to assume that was prearranged  due to the group size?

@dyslexic namI feel like anywhere you go as a tourist you can be tried by anyone. I’ve had experiences in each of my travels (Panama, Mexico, and Jamaica) of almost being “mugged” even by police in Mexico. ( true story, A cop told me to blow into his bowled hands, and said I had 3 beers - I kid you not.)

I figure vacationing as a tourist and vacationing as a supporter might be two separate beasts that require different precautions. 

I feel like if I’m going to go to Jamaica away in an unorganized trip, I would have to buy my uncles and cousins tickets. 

[Olympique_de_Marseille]

On 6/17/2021 at 9:17 AM, Shway said:

Is security arranged? Does the CSA help with anything? 

I feel like in terms of “potential danger” all these countries are the damn same depending on where you go and when the night comes (albeit El Savador/Honduras).

1) If entering the country as a fan, for just your general travel within the country they do not help.

2) They can help you with tickets. I think it was Dominic Martin of the CSA who got me tickets to the Ghana vs Canada match in Washington D.C. in 2015 and maybe Morgan Quarry of the CSA who communicated with FENAFUTH and got us tickets down in San Pedro Sula in Sept 2016

3) I know that those who did the away trip to the Azteca got proper gameday security and a proper away section. I don't know the details. Somebody who went should tell us how it was in terms of logistics.

In San Pedro Sula we had nothing in terms of security. @Shway , as you suggested, I think group size plays a role as we were only 3 Vs so the CSA didn't bother to do more than get us tickets. The tickets the CSA gave us were in the safest possible section, possibly the most expensive category available, centre-middle of the pitch, but far back, away from the hardcore Honduras supporters. We were right below the journalist including Kurt Larson and Gavin Day.

We felt safe arriving. Leaving, we felt safe too but I'm not sure we would have felt safe had Canada had won or drawn.

---

 

Last time I spent a week south and flew into Guatemala City, crossed the border into Honduras. Visited the Copán Ruinas ( worthy of their UNESCO World Heritage Designation) then took a minibus to San Pedro Sula.

I did nothing in San Pedro Sula except go to the game.

I took the bus directly back to Guatemala City after.

Guatemala City is great. San Pedro Sula...not so much.

---

 

Hope all this information helps those considering a trip south.

I'm thinking of doing the trip again.

January is when it is coldest here, and it's either fly to B.C. or fly south.

This time obviously, I would go from San Pedro Sula to San Salvador.

Edited June 18, 2021 by Olympique_de_Marseille

[Califax]

Quote

37 minutes ago, Olympique_de_Marseille said:

I'm thinking of doing the trip again.

January is when it is coldest here, and it's either fly to B.C. or fly south.

 

I guarantee, after all this, someone is getting mugged in Vancouver. 😂

Edited June 17, 2021 by Califax