USA v SPAIN - a fan's perspective!

A few months ago, I heard the news that the Spain National team would come to the US to play the national team in Foxboro Massachusetts and well, I just had to be there. The last time that I had seen La Roja live was during the group stages of the Germany World Cup 2006 when they played Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. So it had been too long and I really wanted to see los Campeones del Mundo, especially those players that I had never seen play LIVE like David Silva, Victor Valdes, the Villarreal crew, etc, etc, etc.

Of course there were deadlines at my day job, so I really couldn't take off Friday nor Monday, so we took a red eye Friday night from LA to Boston, and would head back on another red eye back home Sunday night. The Spain-USA whirlwind extravaganza was on.

It had been ages since I flew on a red eye, so when we arrived Saturday morning, we were knackered. I was supposed to meet my fellow LA Madridista, Peggy (@Peggles12) and NYC Madridista Leora (@SR4CR9), at the Westin Providence to go look for (stalk) La Roja. But once my husband and I checked into our hotel early, we crashed. Peggy, Leora, and co. had the time of their lives bumping into the team at the elevators.

My husband and I woke up late and decided to head straight to Gillette Stadium. The arena was a bit of a nightmare to enter and exit, much like the Rose Bowl. Parking was steep, but the atmosphere was great in the parking lots and it was nice to see everyone tailgaiting before the game. Both USA and Spain fans were mingling well and showing their colors. La Roja was well represented inside and outside the stadium. I would say 60% Spanish fans and 40% USA fans.

A couple of notables: Alexis Lalas and Tony Meola (ex USA Internationals) were on hand signing autographs. The World Cup was on display. I love the fact that La Roja travels with La Copa del Mundo! I was able to meet Allen (@groguet01) from Villarreal USA and talk footy etc before we got into the stadium. Allen was able to attend the training sessions on Friday and was impressed with the contrasting styles. He also mentioned that someone in Spain saw him on Spanish TV. I guess they were surprised to see a head to toe Villarreal fan, in attendance. We soon got separated from Allen due to our seating.

My husband is crazy about taking pictures of fans and football stadia atmosphere, so as soon as we entered Gillette, we ventured over to the American Outlaws/Sam's Army area. The USA supporters were seated behind the goal. My husband went down to the front, but I waited and tried to meet up with the conlaroja group to take a photo together. Needless to say, I couldn't find anyone at the appointed time. Then all of a sudden La Roja came out to train, right in front of the American Outlaws/Sam's Army goal, so I dashed down to the front and started taking tons of warmup and training pictures. (Yours truly took all of the Spain National team photos.) The stadium security were not thrilled with me being in the aisles upfront, so I made my way into the second row and proceeded with my photo shoot. Little did I know that I was sitting right next to another tweep or twimigo and LA Madridista Leslie (@lesliej_) who was sitting in the US Supporters section. We didn't figure this out until AFTER I posted my pictures on facebook. Small world, no? Where would we be as soccer/football fans without the twitter and facebook communities?

Once La Roja finished their training, I caught up with my husband back in our seats. I also finally connected with RMLA Peggy, who was sitting nearby. The game started and I decided not to take photos so I could fully experience the game. Peggy was surrounded by some pissed off US fans. My husband and I were sitting among some very happy La Roja fans. (Including me) My husband however was extremely grumpy and upset at the US display.

At halftime, I went upstairs to buy my husband a coke with Peggy and missed Forza Futbol friend and guest ~ Señor Segunda from La Liga Weekly and Futbol En Vivo co-host, Arch Bell (@archbell). Nevertheless, I was able to meet him and his wife and catch up at the end of the game. Arch is a 100% red, white and blue fan, so he wasn't too thrilled with the goleada nor the way the team played. I was estatic that La Roja won and that I got to see 4 goals. That said, I felt bad for the US fans who spent all that money and travelled all the way to Foxboro, only for the US team to not even try. Bottom line it was merely a commercial outing for Bradley and the boys. Very sad.

What can I say but La Roja were at their best and put on quite a show. I loved watching El Guaje play upfront with el Tiburon de Vallecas (Negredo). I thought Santi Cazorla was brilliant in attack and clinical in front of goal. He was definitely my MotM. David Silva was simply amazing advancing the play forward. Xabi Alonso and Sergi Busquets controlled the midfield and tempo brilliantly. Pique was a wall at back, while Pepe Reina was solid in goal. With all the changes in the second half and the fact that La Roja led 3-0, the boys decided to take it easy. It was nice to see the Villarreal trio: Borja Valero, Santi Cazorla, and Bruno link up, combine and not miss a step. Andres Iniesta was also playing some stunning fantasy football. All in all a brilliant match for the spectator, with so much juego bonito.

I finally got to meet Leora at the end of the match and hear her stories at the hotel and sitting upfront behind the Spain National team bench. I can't wait to meet up with Leora and Peggy in LA, when Real Madrid arrive for their preseason training! Penyas Unite!

It took a long time to exit Gillette Stadium and the parking lot, but all in all I went to sleep exhausted but with a big smile. On Sunday, we met up with a friend of my husband's living in Boston and got to do the touristy things around Quincy Market, the Boston Commons, etc. We even got to eat some tasty Italian panini and yummy cannoli, before we took off again. Would I do it again? You bet!

You can find my fotos on facebook or here on flickr. Enjoy!