I have been a fan of Dutch football since the 1972 World Cup. They played a system of Total Football (Dutch: totaalvoetbal) is a tactical system in association football in which any outfield player can take over the role of any other player in a team.
Now the thing that is so great about the Dutch team is the supporters. Yesterday in Hamburg they walked to the stadium. They did the Dutch strut. Click the link below to watch on Facebook. You won’t be dissapointed.
This will be a casual 15 mile ride on the Phoenix (Fairhaven) Bike Path and the Mattapoisett Bike Path. There will be some road travel as we visit Fort Phoenix State Park, some pastoral side roads and a brief trip to Mattapoisett harbor. This is a beautiful ride with breathtaking views of marshes, inlets, harbors and the ocean. Many different bird species can also be viewed on this ride.
This ride has a few small hills. The difficulty level is low. Snacks are also a good idea. Multi-speed bikes (road, mountain or hybrid) in good condition are required.
Registration is also required. As this is planned to be a fun day of riding, rain and severe weather cancels the ride.
One of my joys is getting on my bike, with my cameras, to work bike events. Yesterday was the Tour de Creme on the Mattapoiset Rail Trail and the Phoenix bike path in Fairhaven, MA.
I didn’t sign up as a volunteer this year because I was in a pickleball tournament the day before, and knew I would be hurting. I overestimate the pain and had no problem riding 13 of the 22 mile route.
Depart Plitvice Lakes and drive south to the UNESCO protected seaside town of Split. Upon arrival, a walking tour along the cobbled streets of the Old Town features the historic inner city with its dominating Roman influence, built around the 4th century Palace of Diocletian. Visit this well-preserved palace, a precious example of Roman architecture. View the remains of the Cathedral of St. Domnius built in the Middle Ages, and the Temple of Jupiter with its headless black sphinx guarding the entrance. Spend the remainder of the day discovering the town independently. In the evening, savor dinner at the hotel
Actually it’s football season year round for me. Fall and winter it’s the Prem, Series A and the Bundesliga. Summer is for MLS and USL. It’s also the season to travel.
June is #3 son’s, Brandon, 40th birthday. He lives in Austin and me in Massachusetts. For his celebration, we will meet in St. Louis to watch City take on the Rapids. Being familiar with St Louis I will also show him around and visit some of the tourist traps. The Arc, the original Budweiser brewery the Sulard market, as well as other things I found on the cool app called Atlas Obscure.
The Sulard Market is the oldest operating public market in St. Louis, Missouri in the Soulard neighborhood, and the only one operated by the city. It has a reputation of being the oldest public market in the United States west of the Mississippi River.
The following week, I will meet #2 Son in Atlanta for the US/Panama Concacaf Nations League semifinal at a sold out Mercedes Benz Stadium.
Locally in football, I am a season ticket holder of the new Rhode Island FC team. I joined the supporters group Defiance 1636 to compliment my NE Revolution group, The Midnight Riders
New England fans are rabid for American football and basketball. Tonight, all eyes are on football at sold out Gillette Stadium, when Linonel Messi and Miami FC take the field.
Football fans across New England will drift to sleep Friday night with sweet dreams of soccer greatness.
“I’m going to go the Revolution game and I’m going to see my best favorite player Messi!” said 7-year-old Diego.
Gillette Stadium was already buzzing ahead of the New England Revolution match against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF.
“Tonight, I wanted to go to this tryout so bad because I thought I’m going to be on this field 24 hours before Messi steps on it! Now we’re going to cherish these cleats forever! I think I got some turf in mine!” said 10-year-old Claire and her teammates.
Everyone in the place will have their eyes glued to Messi’s every move on and off the field. But parents will also be watching their kids’ joy – taking in an experience they might not understand the greatness of just yet.
The clash is poised to set the record for the highest-attended Revolution game. The current mark is held by the 2002 MLS Cup, when the Revolution hosted the LA Galaxy at Gillette Stadium, when 61,316. It also has the potential to become the third soccer match to ever eclipse 64,000 fans at Gillette, joining international friendlies from 2007 (67,584 for Brazil vs. Mexico friendly) and 2011 (64,121, US vs. Spain friendly).
The current record for highest attendance at a Revolution regular season match is 57,407, set on April 20, 1997, when New England hosted the Tampa Bay Mutiny. Since Gillette opened in 2002, the best attendance for a Revolution regular season match was 42,947 on Oct. 17, 2015, a 1-0 loss to Montreal. Last season’s regular season finale nearly matched that mark, with 41,355 in the stands to watch the Revolution beat Philadelphia, 2-1, on Oct. 21.
The Revolution are currently 0-4-1 and last in MLS’ 15-team Eastern Conference. Miami, meanwhile, is 3-2-1, sitting second in the East, one point behind leaders Cincinnati.
A Midnight Rider 