A Guide to D.C. for Soccer Fans
Welcome to the District of Columbia, home of the 2007 MLS Cup Match. This guide will help you enjoy your time in the nation’s capital . . .
- Don’t you dare call it – “WaRshington”. (I’m looking at you people from Texas.) We aren’t pirates, save your “Arrrrrr!” for September 19th.
- Take the Metrorail everywhere. You’ll notice it is a little pricier than “The T” in Boston, but it is very clean and efficient. (Houston fans: unlike your Metro, people use this one.) As nice as the Metrorail experience will be on its own, there are some unwritten rules you need to follow:
- Stand to the right on the escalators. Seriously. I will mow down the first Revolution or Dynamo jersey I see in my way if you are standing to the left on the escalator. It is your vacation, but we still work here – gawk on the right, please.
- As improbable as it will seem at first, you can use the Metrorail’s map without putting your finger on every stop. Just look at it. Don’t molest it. (Also, having your 10-year-old blurt out how many stops are left after each stop is super annoying.)
- No farting. What?! I’ve met Rev and Dynamo fans - many of you will have a problem with this.
- Eat locally. You can choke down food from a McDonalds or Starbucks back home. DC has several terrific chefs and restaurants. If you want to see a true local legend check out Ben’s Chili Bowl on historic U Street. U Street is about as DC as you can get: becoming gentrified, but with a few pockets of history (especially Jazz and Go-Go), and old school urban “charm.”
- See DC at night. See the obvious stuff during the day. You know, RFKs Lot 8 and Ben Olsen’s house (just follow the beard shavings!). But also check out DC at night. It’s safe and really beautiful.
- Give every Federal employee or Capitol Hill staffer you see a huge wedgey. These glum creates are easy to spot. They’ll look miserable and have Mr. T-style neck adornments, but instead of jewelry it will be eight-pounds of ID badges. You’ll get hours of enjoyment out of it.
- Take a piece of RFK with you! We don’t want it anymore and it won’t be hard, just reach up and grab. A piece of something will come off.
Where to watch the US v South Africa game
- Lucky Bar: A classic bar, but one that enthusiastically supports soccer. Good beer and food.
- Summers Restaurant: I have a Love–Hate relationship with Summers. I live across the street from it, but I still go to the Lucky Bar. I admire its total commitment to soccer (and other sports), but the food, atmosphere, and service are consistently terrible. It is basically a Denny’s with a hundred TVs. Still, it will be full and shows every game you want.
Comments:
Du Nord and The DCenters are hosting a mini get together at Summers to watch the South Africa game. You should come on by as it is going to be fun and you know you love Denny’s.
Welcome back, The Far Post. We missed you while you were away.
My experience as a native to DC is that most people who say “Warshington” are not from Texas - they are mainly from Western PA, West Virginia and some parts of Maryland. My mom is from the ‘burgh and most of her family says it that way, and the few locals I know that pronounce it that way have family from West Virginia or rural Maryland (Southern, Western, Eastern Shore).
Generally speaking, doesnt bother me too much anymore. Its DC anyway - who the hell calls it Washington?
The Screaming Eagles and the American Outlaws are having a viewing party for the US-South Africa game in Lot 8 at RFK. Complimentary beer, soda, water and breakfast treats. Details are here: http://screaming-eagles.com/?page_id=583
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I agree with ‘the cheat’ above - it’s not people from Texas that will give you the unnecessary ‘R’. I heard more of that in one weekend in Boston than I’ve heard in 35 years in Texas.
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