MLS Cup final week: Dispatches from Seattle ahead

by Steve Davis on Nov 17, 2009 4:09 PM EST Comment 4 comments

Reports all week from the lovingly grungy Northwest

True story, swear it: I had big pep in my step on my first trip to Seattle about 10 or 12 years ago. I got to my downtown hotel and immediately saw some sketchy, hep cat in the lobby, a moppy-topped cheesy weasel who obviously thought he was cooler than a Gordon Gekko and P. Diddy rolled into one. He had two women with him of highly questionable virtue. Hot, but whorey. Still, I kept thinking, “I know this guy from somewhere.”

Then it hits me and I’m saying to myself: “Oh, man! I come all the way to Seattle and the first person I run into is this banana?”

Kato freakin’ Kaelin! True dat. Talk about letting the air out of your little Seattle soccer ball.

I recovered quickly. Seattle is a way-cool place, stocking-stuffed with cultural diversity, great coffee (I do love myself a big ol’ cup of “Hell Yeah!”), good music (KEXP rocks) and a generally cool vibe. This week, it’s also the site of the 14^th MLS Cup. So, I’m en route.

For now I’m stuck at the Dallas airport paying half-ass attention to CNN. (Current topic: “Why teenagers are fat: too much food and lack of exercise.” I swear it’s true. Up next I assume: “How people get drunk: beer and booze!”)

Upon Emerald City arrival, I’ll post two or three times a day on the comings and goings of MLS Cup week. Players from each team will participate in a national media tele-conference call later today, train in their cities tomorrow and touch down in rainy city just beyond Mt. Rainier on Thursday. I’m getting in a little early to channel my inner Kurt Cobain and to eat lunch at my favorite cheap Seattle noodle house. (Mostly, I traveled today so I can be in place tomorrow for the World Cup qualifiers. I may watch Ireland-France from here, unless someone has a better idea.)

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Cafe Presse

I guess if you want to watch the Ireland-France game Cafe Presse will definitely show it, but it’s not a very big screen and usually there’s no sound. The food is good though! It’s right down the street from me, but everytime I’ve gone to see a game there though, my team has lost. :(

It depends on where you’re staying but but I’d suggest someplace like the standard George & Dragon Pub in Fremont. Or Fado downtown, Kells right in the midst of the Pike Place Market.

by JustinYNWA on Nov 17, 2009 7:08 PM EST reply actions

George & Dragon

+1 for G&D
http://www.georgeanddragonpub.com/

by PeterJH on Nov 17, 2009 7:15 PM EST up reply actions

George and Dragon

went into an Irish pub last night and they told me the same. Wonder if it’ll be stacked and packed in there. I like a little atmosphere, but you know how it is. Too many people and you struggle just to see the game.

by Steve Davis on Nov 18, 2009 8:49 AM EST up reply actions

Mt Raineer?

Home of:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz-WuLQz_ns

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAy-NEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeer-BEeeeeeeeer

'Gentlemen' he said,
'I don't need your organization,
I've shined your shoes,
moved your mountains and marked your cards,
but Eden is burning.
Either get ready for elimination,
or else your heart must have the courage,
for the changing of the guards.'

by Sgc on Nov 18, 2009 5:01 PM EST reply actions