On Wednesday, I’ll be crossing one off my bucket list when I attend the US v. El Salvador match in Tampa, FL. I’ve been meaning to make it to a match for a long time, but living in North Carolina for 25 years, and the US typically playing their home matches in LA and Houston, it made it difficult for me to find the time or money to make the trip. But, moving to the sweat-box that is Orlando, FL, my summer pain and suffering has finally paid off. US v. El Salvador in Tampa on Wednesday @7pm. Oh yes. I was planning on taking my wife to the match when the date was released, but she has a class that she can’t miss. So instead of asking a friend to go, I decided to splurge and take the money I would have spent on both tickets and buy a super-badass seat for myself. I’ll be about 20 rows up, just to the left of the midfield stripe. There is also a U-17 match v. Mexico @4:15pm, and I can’t wait to heckle the young Mexicans who have more talent in their little finger than I have ever had in my entire life. But, I bet they aren’t expert hecklers like myself, so I hope my voice can carry over the 20 rows in front of me and onto the field.

The roster for the US team is made up almost exclusively of MLS players, as the match doesn’t occur during a FIFA sanctioned break. The only non-MLS based player is Clarence Goodson, who plays his club ball in Norway. On paper, it looks like we might be in for it. The 20-man roster boasts only 23 goals in all. Also, there are only nine players that have registered double-figure international appearances. But I understand Bradley’s thought process in naming this squad. This match means nothing in terms of any qualification process, but it gives Bradley a great opportunity to give the fringe players like Kyle Beckermen and Conor Casey the chance to impress and maybe make the 23-man World Cup roster. Also, Bradley is hamstrung by the match taking place during a non-FIFA break, but we all know what we’re getting with Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Tim Howard, etc. And, I guarantee El Salvador has never seen, or heard, a redhead with a mouth like mine.

If you’re going to be at the match, shoot me an email or comment, and we’ll meet up. I’ll be posting pictures from the match as soon as I get home.

Here is the link to see the US roster.

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