Rapids vs. Whitecaps

Hello all, it's the weekend!

Yes, I apologize for the hideous delay in posting this, but this summer has been a hurricane inside a tornado beneath an impending tidal wave. And I'm in the center of all that...somewhere. It's been nonstop.

So several weeks ago in late June (which the date will reflect, even though I'm writing this mid-July), my dear former journalism professor at my final degree-issuing college for undergrad offered to catch the Colorado Rapids game against Vancouver's Whitecaps. 

My ticket to the game!

    

I am absolutely one of those geeks who guns to befriend teachers who have a particularly meaningful impact on my life, even if I feel like I can never 'repay' them for their caring and guidance. (I actually had the pleasure of playing tour guide for this professor and another journalism professor of mine when they came to Hawaii for a conference. Talk about planets aligning. I may have come close to that payback running them both into the ground with my style of typhoon touring.)

Shaun, the man I still refer to as my professor in certain circles and whom I will forever look to as a mentor, invited me to this soccer game for a warm Saturday evening, June 28. This would be the second game we've attended together in non-consecutive summers as I flit in and out of the state between escapades. 

I don't follow soccer. I don't really follow sports in general because I get all bothered that I'm not dribbling, spiking, lobbing, another verb-ing the ball in question around. Sure, I'll watch the Superbowl as much for the ads as the game and I did witness the FIFA U.S. vs. Belgium match in Tommyknocker Brewery in Idaho Springs. Congrats Germany and better luck next cup, U.S. The short of it is I would rather play than spectate. (But there's no way I could keep up with the gents on the soccer field. No way.)

Shaun was extremely patient with me both games when I asked questions about a play or call I didn't understand--always the teacher even outside of school. I learned any errantly kicked soccer balls had to be returned. Sitting down by the goal, I seriously wanted to have a ball kicked at me. What a rush!--but no such luck this time around.

I drove to Dick's Sporting Goods Park out in Stapleton, a growing suburb of Denver's eastern side, and met up with Shaun and a former classmate of mine from my beginning reporting class. Which feels like ages ago in retrospect. He and I have a similar school-jumping history; although he easily outranks me for higher education institutions, I might have him if we count preschool onward. I think I can speak for both of us when I say we were happy to wedge Shaun between us for the game. (I apologize Joe if I chatted Shaun's ear off at your expense.)

Shaun came up all smiles because he not only delivered a game ticket, but vouchers for a baseball cap and beer! WOO! I'm still growing on beer or it's growing on me, but I drained what I was allotted and sat subsequently buzzed the rest of the game. (Altitude, cut me some slack.) Shaun, knowing my propensity to eat little but hunger large, checked in often as stadium foods floated by, but having dipped into his fries (without shame) I felt fine. Buzzed, but fine. Nothing quite says you've arrived when you can sit and have a beer with your professor, you know? I don't normally wear hats either because I strongly believe there is some fundamental fault in the shape of my head, but I did this time! In any case, I felt spoiled all around.

As I recall, the Rapids scored an early goal and then again in the second half of the game. They went on to win the match. The Whitecaps kept the pressure on for the first half--a lot of action on our side of the field with several near goals for the opposing team, but I could see the Canadians struggling in the second half. Again, altitude, for which I could empathize. I jumped out of my seat several times when the Whitecaps ran the ball to our side of the field and then again whenever the Rapids scored. Their victory jam is just so darn catchy. 

It was a fun game and Shaun's soccer fever infectious. I was happy to see the Rapids win on their home turf. Better luck next time, Canada. 

--Shaun, thank you for your boundless generosity! I always look forward to seeing you whenever I visit and writing it out leaves no question why. I had a blast!!

Happy Saturday.