Live The Pitch » Club America

Refund For Real Madrid vs. Club America Match

Jeff Ramos — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:13:47 +0000

Like most of the Bay Area, here at Livethepitch.com we woke up feeling screwed over. So we went straight to the organization who put on this “great” event. After speaking with a representative from El Mexicano Presenta, I was told that they WILL be giving refunds for the tickets. Parking will be another issue and I have yet to get in touch with the parking company at this time.

Here is what to do as of right now:

Call El Mexicano Presenta at 408-960-2700 and ask to speak with someone about getting a refund for your tickets.

Let them know your story and they will ask you for your name, telephone number, the number of tickets you purchased and how much you spent on the tickets.

We will continue to call until we are reimbursed for this terrible experience and keep everyone updated on our progress.

Please let us know if you have any problems or concerns.

TERRIBLE Organization at Candlestick Park for Real Madrid vs. Club America

Jeff Ramos — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 06:11:55 +0000

When the announcement came that Real Madrid was playing Club America in San Francisco’s Candlestick Park a few months ago all of us here at Livethepitch.com were stoked about seeing some of the best players in the world in our own backyard. As we waited for weeks for this great event, the excitement was through the roof. Until game day.

We purchased our tickets through Ticketmaster.com and were thrown off a little by the fact that we couldn’t print the tickets from home like all other Ticketmaster.com events. We purchased three tickets through the site for a total of $170.00. A little expensive, even though these were the cheapest tickets available.

As we drove down the 101 from the city towards Candlestick, we quickly realized that this could be a challenge to get into the match on time. Traffic leaving the city was bumper to bumper as it took us over an hour to get to the stadium from the Hayes Valley neighborhood.

When we finally arrived at the stadium we waited again just to get into the parking lot for a $30.00 fee. While walking towards the stadium we were instructed by security to head to the gate A for will call. After waiting in line for a few minutes there, we overheard that the wait was over an hour and to head to gate B. (I don’t think gate A was even will call even though there were signs).

While walking around the stadium we realized there was going to be a problem on the horizon.

As we made the turn around the stadium to get to gate B we witnessed complete pandemonium. I would estimate around 5,000 people in numerous lines with four windows handling tickets. Police standing by looking like they were ready for a riot. It was now past 8:00 as we found ourselves sitting in a line that was not moving. Sitting in the same spot 10 minutes later, 20 minutes and after 30 minutes of waiting in line we bailed. At the pace we were moving, we probably would have made it to our seats just as the referee blew the final whistle.

To top it off, the parking company wouldn’t refund anyone that couldn’t get into the game. We pulled over and argued with them for a few minutes with another pissed off fan. He is an attorney and says he is going to file suit in small claims against City Park in the morning. Not sure if that will go anywhere, but I gave him an email address to contact us and will post an update if I hear anything.

We weren’t the only unhappy fans:

@drewmwilson “Real Madrid at Candlestick is a mess. Waited an hour in line only to discover credit card machines are down. Failed. Going home.”

@aaaaaalexandra Trying to get through the will call line at candlestick park… this is the most disorganized event I’ve ever been to

@gerardramos went to candlestick for realmadrid v clubamerica. stood in line at willcall with thousands then left. can’t believe I’m missing this game.

@nickmyer5 “Could get in candlestick to see real Madrid. Will call fail.”

@guitarchitekt “Who else got screwed by Ticketmaster at the Candlestick will call tonight? Truly backwards and evil company”

@Rikusl “Will call for a soccer game at Candlestick? Absolutely pathetic. Been in line for an hour with no progress.”

What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments.

Chelsea Win Inaugural World Football Challenge

Jeff Ramos — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 05:14:25 +0000

This past Sunday, Chelsea FC took the Inaugural World Football Challenge trophy back to England with a 2-0 victory over Club America. Chelsea clearly were the dominant squad in the preseason exhibition tournament. The English squad finished with a 3-0 record. The surprise of the tournament however was Club America. The Mexican powerhouse stunned everyone by posting a 2-1 record. Serie A champions Inter Milan posted a 1-2 record. The biggest disappointment of the event had to be AC Milan. This team is in desperate need of a play maker after the loss of Kaka. AC Milan had a dismal record of 0-3.

With an average attendance of 56,101 this inaugural event was a huge success in the United States. Games were played in six different cities throughout the U.S. The largest turnout of 81,224 was at the Rose Bowl to see Chelsea take on Inter Milan. With the USA looking to get either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, these attendance numbers look very good to the eyes of FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

The Livethepitch.com crew were privileged to be in attendance in Atlanta, GA for the AC Milan-Club America match. Here are some pics from our great experience. Please check out the entire album at http://www.flickr.com/photos/livethepitch/. Let’s hope this great event continues for years to come!

Soccer Invades The Georgia Dome

Jeff Ramos — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:43:20 +0000

The long awaited match-up between AC Milan and Club America was finally here in Atlanta. The teams met tonight in the third match of the World Football Challenge. This was the first time I was in the press box for a soccer match and the experience was out of this world. The ovation for the players was an amazing sight, and when Ronaldinho was announced the fans almost tore the roof off! We were in for a great match between two clubs who were ready to put on a show.

As the match began, Club America was dominating the play on the pitch. Throughout the first 20 minutes Club America had numerous chances to take the lead. The first chance of the match came from Enrique Esqueda, who fired a shot on goal from about thirty yards out that made the AC Milan goalkeeper Marco Storari come up with a huge save. America almost struck again in the 19th minute when Salvador Cabanas tried a tricky flick off a cross that Storari again saved.

AC Milan finally settled in by the 20th minute and starting generating some opportunities on goal. Clarence Seedorf had the first chance for Milan in the 22nd minute when he fired a shot from outside the box that sailed just over the crossbar. Ronaldinho showed great skill with the ball at his feet throughout the first half. The Brazilian almost put Milan on top with a blistering free kick from 30 yards out that hit the crossbar. Luca Antonini had the best chance of the opening half when he found himself wide open on the back post off a Ronaldinho cross from inside the six yard box.

The opening half would end with both teams generating good opportunities at goal, but neither team found the back of the net. The first twenty minutes of the half was slow but the last twenty five was great soccer. It was only a matter of time until the game opened up.

As the second half began the crowd at the Georgia Dome was ready to see the debut of American Oguchi Onyewu. Onyewu would replace Alessandro Nesta at center back for Milan. Onyewu playing for Milan is a huge step for U.S. soccer. AC Milan is considered one of the top clubs in the world and to have an American on the roster shows players here that anything is possible.

Club America took the lead in the 55th minute when Esqueda beat Onyewu to the back post before striking a great shot with his left foot that found the upper corner of the net. It was a great ball from the right side from Salvador Cabanas to find the streaking Esqueda. Club America had come out in the second half wanting to send a message to Milan that they were here to win the match.

The match started to really feel like a mid-season battle and not a preseason exhibition. In the 62nd minute both teams nearly found themselves in a brawl when Gennaro Gattuso committed a hard foul on Esqueda. Numerous players were pushing and shoving, showing great emotion on the pitch. After the shoving match an intense final 30 minutes followed.

AC Milan finally found the back of the net in the 66th minute when Filippo Inzaghi split two America defenders to slot the ball past the keeper in the right corner of the net. It was a great through ball from Ronaldinho to put Inzaghi on to goal. Ronaldinho again would test the America keeper off a free kick from 30 yards out, forcing Armondo Navarrete to come up with a huge save.

Club America would take the lead for good in the 84th minute when Daniel Marquez was first to the cross in from the right side. He headed the ball just past the outstretched Milan keeper. It was a great finish by the Mexican player. Milan definitely needs to work on their marking off balls driven into the box from the flanks.

In the final five minutes AC Milan was pressing the America box with everything they had. Milan blew a golden opportunity to tie the game when Gianmarco Zigoni sailed a wide open chance in front of goal over the crossbar. At this level players cannot afford to miss chances this good at the end of a match. It was great combination play between Onyewu and Zigoni, almost letting the American get his first assist with the Italian juggernauts.

The match ended 2-1, with Club America getting their second victory of the World Football Challenge. Overall both teams had great flashes of brilliance on the pitch. AC Milan walked away from this match wondering what could have been, missing numerous great chances in front of goal. Club America earned a great victory.

The atmosphere at the Georgia Dome was great. Throughout the match there were chants for both teams and for the most part fans stood the entire match. The final attendance was 50,306 in Atlanta. This match was a great success and hopefully they will come back next summer.