May 25, 2013

U.S. Soccer is coming to Cleveland May 29th

March 14, 2013 by 26 Comments

It’s no longer called Cleveland Browns stadium and now it’s good enough to host a big-time soccer match. Today the Browns announced that the United States Men’s National team will host Belgium on May 29th at 8 PM. It will also be broadcast live on ESPN2.

“We are extremely excited that FirstEnergy Stadium was selected as the site for an event which will have a tremendous amount of national and international interest,” said Browns CEO Joe Banner.  “The opportunity to host a match like this will give soccer fans who make the trip to Cleveland a chance to see all of the great things that our city has to offer.”

As a soccer fan, I can’t wait. The USMNT has been growing in popularity in the last few years and the march to the World Cup. This game will just be a “friendly,” so it doesn’t count as a qualifier, but it should be a really fun exhibition just the same.

Tickets for the match will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, March 19, at 10:00 a.m. ET through ussoccer.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Prior to the public on sale, Browns Season Ticket Holders will have an opportunity to purchase tickets, starting this Saturday, March 16 at 10:00 a.m. and running through Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Tickets are also available at all Ticketmaster centers throughout metro Cleveland (including many Giant Eagle locations), as well as the FirstEnergy Stadium ticket office, which is located on the south side of FirstEnergy Stadium, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

[Related: Browns will not raise ticket prices for 2013; cell service issues to be rectified]

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  • http://twitter.com/Dennymayo Denny

    This will be the first time that Chimay will be consumed in the Muni Lot, probably ever.

  • KevinH

    I think Stella Artois is probably more likely. Although, I bet that would be a Muni Lot first as well!

  • Jay

    I never really got in to soccer (except for the World Cup, of course) so I am the definition of the casual observer. Do U.S. fans get rowdy like they do during the international matches I see on TV? Do they do chants & sing & what not? If so, I may go because it looks like fun on TV.

  • mgbode

    Ohio has a bigger economy than the country of Belgium (barely)
    Ohio has a bigger population than Belgium (again, barely)
    Ohio is almost 4X bigger than Belgium in area

  • boomhauertjs

    Funny that Browns stadium is getting a soccer game AFTER Randy Lerner is gone…

  • Vindictive_Pat

    I think there has been a lot of improvement in that area from US fans in the past several years. There are certain groups that are always at these international games, like the American Outlaws for example, that will basically sing and chant the whole time. Find out where they are sitting and see if you can get a seat near them. FYI, some of their chants are not suitable for children (like the “U-S-A ain’t nothing to F#%^ with” chant).

  • Vindictive_Pat

    Belgium is a good, young team. This would be a really entertaining match… considering driving up to the Cleve to catch it.

  • KevinH

    In addition to Vindictive_Pat’s comments, Google Sam’s Army. They’ll likely be at the game in force.

  • http://twitter.com/jimmoran17 Jim Moran

    Looking forward to this game. Great stadium for soccer. Cleveland Browns stadium hosted USMNT (vs Venezuela in 2006) and USWNT (vs China) previously. But it should happen more often.

  • FearTheRoo

    The USMNT played Venezuela at Browns Stadium in ’06 and the women faced Germany in ’10.

    Glad to see them back.

  • FearTheRoo

    Not to be a homer, but having been to a ton of Akron Zips soccer games has really increased my interest in the sport. They have huge crowds at most games. Singing, horns, drums, chants, etc. Very fun atmosphere if you ever get the chance.

  • http://twitter.com/codywhitman codywhitman

    This will be an outstanding game. On paper Belgium is one of the best teams in the world… they’ve yet to perform to that level but their players are top top talents – Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham), Daniel Van Buyten (Bayern Munich), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), Marouane Fellaini (Everton), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Mousa Dembele (Tottenham), Axel Witsel (Zenit), Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea) and Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)… that starting 11 is as good as any in the world. Im jealous I wont be able to make it back for this.

  • Garry_Owen

    Ohio has never been overrun by Germans.

  • Garry_Owen

    Nice! Bringing the football knowledge strong!

  • http://twitter.com/brian_ristau Brian J. Ristau

    I have nothing to add besides COYG! FOYS!

  • http://twitter.com/adifranco77 Al DiFranco

    Obviously I am pumped for this, as I am a big soccer fan and active member of the American Outlaws Chapter in Cleveland. We will have a great turnout there – the last time the US men played a match in Cleveland 29,745 fans were there to watch. Should be a great night!

  • http://twitter.com/adifranco77 Al DiFranco

    I am an active member of Cleveland’s American Outlaws group and we went to US matches in Detroit two years ago and Columbus last year. Both matches featured a really raucous crowd, especially in Columbus on Sept. 11 for the World Cup qualifier. This one won’t be quite like that since it is a friendly, but I would expect a lot of energy in the crowd, especially if you sit with a supporters group like ours!

  • mgbode

    however, about the rest of those Eastern Europeans…

  • http://www.redright88.com/ Tom_RedRight88

    Sounds like a good opportunity for a WFNY group night. Especially since we all know how much Rick likes the European style of football.

  • http://twitter.com/codywhitman codywhitman

    Love it Brian, its gonna be a nailbiter from here on out! COYG!!

  • http://twitter.com/brian_ristau Brian J. Ristau

    We’re by far the greatest team the world has ever seen.

  • http://twitter.com/bbo13 B-bo

    A group of us went to see Celtic and Boca Juniors at CBS back in 2003. Likely a smaller crowd than what the USMNT will draw (though it was pretty impressive), but it was a blast. We sat in the middle of the upper deck on the south side of the stadium, which was perfect for our group, as most of them had picked up a taste for soccer via intense FIFA battles on PS2. Sadly I’ll end up missing out on this one, as our school’s graduation night is the 29th, and I don’t see much chance of the boss letting me skip town to get up there for it. But I would strongly encourage folks to attend, regardless of your level of interest in/knowledge of the game. Taking it in live is likely to get you hooked.

  • thebearchoo

    COME ON YOU YANKS!

  • JK

    “As good 11 as anyone in the world” …. Umm… no

  • Jimbo

    Sure it was, in the 1800s. That’s why I have a German last name.

  • http://twitter.com/AOCleveland Cleveland Outlaws

    Thought it appropriate to post here now that the next game for the USMNT is in Cleveland…
    —
    The American Outlaws will be in full force at this game. The Cleveland Chapter will be hosting the “tailgate” before and organizing the march to the stadium. We will have the Akron, Columbus, Toledo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Buffalo, DC and Pittsburgh chapter members as well as AO members flying in from chapters around the country.
    —
    We are finalizing details as to where the pre-game festivities will be held, and should be able to make some announcements in the next few weeks. We encourage EVERYONE to come to this game, sit in the supporters’ section and see first-hand what the experience is like, and why we love this game so much.
    —
    Not wanting to “spam” the thread… please contact us through Facebook, twitter, or Cleveland.Outlaws@yahoo.com for more info.