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Boston, Massachusetts By Evan Whitney and David Litterer (Boston Breakers section) Jump to: Stadium Harvard University professor Alan Dershowitz once described Boston as “having three quarters of everything New York does,” but with “three quarters less hassle”. The comment while boastful, rings true for the almost 600,000 residents who claim this vibrant city as their own. Nowhere else can one enjoy such a rich appreciation for history coupled with a modern take on everything from food to architecture. The largest city in New England, Boston has been referred to as “America’s Walking City,” one where visitors can follow the Freedom Trail, stroll the back alleys on historic Beacon Hill, or take in the cosmopolitan scene of Newbury Street. Check out the North End for Italian festivals, the South End for the legendary St. Patrick’s Day Parade, or roasting peanuts on Yawkey Way as Red Sox faithful make their way into Fenway Park. Boston is very much a sports town, some would say THE sports town, with a sense of history and tradition matching that of the region’s colorful past. The city features franchises in each of the country’s four major professional sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL) each league retaining a local team having won championship trophies at one point or another. The National Football League’s New England Patriots were the most recent to do so, winning the Super Bowl in 2002. The city comes to a stop in the Spring when the Boston Marathon takes over the city, while the Fall features the Head of the Charles, the largest two-day crew (rowing) race in the world that draws thousands of visitors and competitors to the shores of the Charles River. Names such as Bobby Orr, Larry Bird, Ted Williams, and Ray Bourque are spoken with reverence at the nearly one thousand bars, taverns, and pubs that dot the city. But don’t expect to stay up late enjoying such conversations. Unlike other major cities, Boston goes to sleep at a much earlier hour, the clubs, bars, and other late-night attractions closing down before 2:00AM. The MBTA ends the subway service at 12:30am, a good stretch before last call, although recent efforts have been made to maintain a “Night Owl” bus service that effectively runs the same routes as the subway and trolley lines. So take a Boston Duck Tour, stroll through the Public Garden, or take in a performance by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Check out these and other attractions at www.bostonusa.com, and welcome yourself to an invigorating city offering much to the seasoned or casual traveler.
Stadium: Gillette Stadium Home Stadium Name: Gillette Stadium Gillette Stadium Capacity: 68,000 Colors: Blue, White, & Red Honors: 2001 U.S. Open Cup Runners-up, 2002 MLS Cup Runners-up, 2002 Eastern Conference Champions Brief History of Soccer in Boston & New England: The saying goes "the past is all around us," and never more the case when examining the history of soccer in both Boston and the New England region. Tucked away in a corner of Boston Common lies a rather unassuming plaque dedicated to the Oneida Football Club. Founded in 1862, the Club is considered to be the first soccer club in the country to consist of a true roster: regular players from respected secondary schools such as Boston Latin, Boston English, and others. The club would arrange matches with local college teams, often dominating them over the course of the clubs' existence. English tourists sporting club wear from clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham would be genuinely surprised that Oneida F.C. was the first organized soccer club created outside of England, predating the establishment of the English F.A., as well as major international clubs including Juventus, Celtic, and Real Madrid. While the establishment of the game initially took root in competition between colleges and local students, the real evolution took place in the working-class communities. It was the Irish, Italian, and Portuguese communities who particularly adopted the game. This was after their more patrician neighbors saw their interest shift to Rugby and early incarnations of American rules football. Interest and organization grew rapidly from the 1870's through the early 1920's as clubs sprung up to accommodate the ever increasing number of players, and with money soon flowing into the game in terms of sponsorship, local and regional leagues formed to compete for them. Organized games spread throughout the industrial cities of the Northeast, areas where the game took up strong footholds. The American Cup, the first National Championship, included clubs from the American Football Association, won numerous times by any number of clubs from the "golden triangle" of Fall River, MA, Pawtucket, R.I., and New Bedford, MA, Fall River Rovers and Pawtucket Olympics winning multiple titles. These clubs and others were also member organizations in the Southern New England Soccer League, Rovers being particularly strong in winning the U.S. Open Cup twice in 1916 and 1917 with wins over Bethlehem Steel. The Fall River Marksman won three consecutive American Soccer League (established in 1921) championships from 1923-1926, and again in 1929 & 1930. The Marksmen also won the U.S. Open Cup, while the National Amateur Cup also found a home in the region with clubs such as Fall River Defenders, and Hudson Essex. These teams (especially those in the ASL) were popular and well supported. Crowds of over 10,000 were not uncommon. Great clubs require great players, and the New England regions produced them in spades. Billy Gonsalves, Bert Patenaude, Tom Florie, and Andy Ault were each members of the United States' 1930 World Cup squad, all having played the bulk of their professional careers in New England. Unfortunately the ASL only lasted through 1932, and from then on through the late 1950's the local game suffered an extended period of decline. The onset of the depression brought economic hardship that drew both attention and resources away from the game, and for a period of almost thirty years the game survived in fits and starts through semi-pro leagues and local amateur competition. Ludlow Lusitano was the dominant club of the time and is still in existence to this day. Efforts at the professional game were made; with a second ASL formed and operated, but not nearly with the same measure of success or interest. The Boston Celtics were a long-running team in the region, as were the Providence Clam diggers. In 1964 the Boston Metros joined the league, placing second to Ukrainian Nationals of Philadelphia. The Boston Tigers followed in 1965, playing through 1967 when two new leagues: the United Soccer Association (USA) and the NPSL, the latter eventually becoming the NASL, began. FIFA recognition was offered however to only one, yet the other received the benefit of a TV contract. Interesting enough the Boston Rovers, a USA club, were actually Shamrock Rovers in disguise, the Irish club playing under the name during their off-season. With such Byzantine rules and losses mounting, both leagues merged to form the North American Soccer League (NASL), with the Boston franchise becoming the Boston Beacons. Success was not forthcoming however, and the club folded. The ASL continued on, and clubs such as the Boston Astros found both longevity and success, playing from 1969-1975 where they finished tied as league champions in 75 after tying New York Apollo in a 2-leg series. First Division soccer returned in 1974 when Boston returned to the NASL with the Boston Minutemen. Team members John Coyen and Ade Coker were amongst the league scoring leaders when they won the Northeast Division in 1974 & 1975. Unfortunately the results didn't last and with that, neither did support. The team folded in 1976, and New England would not see a league contender until major expansion within the NASL led to the founding of the New England Tea Men in 1978. The Tea Men averaged almost 12,000 fans, featured a league-leading scorer in Englishman Mike Flanagan (30 goals/68 points in only 28 games), and played an exciting and entertaining brand of soccer, but as has historically been the case with the professional game in the region, even this early success didn't last. The club lost its good form, fans stayed away, and the club relocated to Jacksonville, FL. The third ASL was formed in 1988 with Boston once again providing a team in the Boston Bolts which lasted only a few years before the league merged with the Western Soccer Alliance thereby forming the APSL in 1990 which eventually became the A-League (2nd Division). Starting in 1995 with the announcement that New England would be a founding franchise in Major League Soccer (1st Division), professional & semi-pro soccer returned to the region with a flourish. The Boston Bulldogs were established in 1999 as an A-League club after having moved from Worcester, with D3 Pro (3rd Division) and Premier Development League clubs forming from New Hampshire to Rhode Island. The women's professional game also saw continued development in New England, as both the WUSA's Boston Breakers, and the W-League's Boston Renegades carved their own niche in the regional soccer landscape. Success has been forthcoming as well, albeit more slowly for some: · The Western Mass. Pioneers won the D3 National Championship in 1999 Groundhopping Directions: By Car From Boston: Interstate 93 South (S.E. Expressway) to Interstate 95 South; Take Interstate 95 South to Exit 9 (Wrentham) onto Route 1 South. Follow Route 1 South approximately 3 miles to Gillette Stadium (on the left). From Cape Cod: Interstate 495 North to Exit 14A onto Route 1 North. Follow Route 1 North approximately 4 miles to Gillette Stadium (on the right). From Maine, New Hampshire: Interstate 128 South to Interstate 95 South. Exit 9 onto Route 1 South. Follow Route 1 South approximately 3 miles to Gillette Stadium (on the left). From Northern Connecticut, Vermont, and Upstate New York: Interstate 90 East (Massachusetts Turnpike) to Route 495 South. Exit 14A onto Route 1 North. Follow Route 1 North approximately 4 miles to Gillette Stadium (on the right). From Southern Connecticut, Rhode Island: Interstate 95 North to Interstate 495 North. Exit 14A onto Route 1 North. Follow Route 1 North approximately 4 miles to Gillette Stadium (on the right). Directions: By Rail From Boston *: Foxboro Station is only served by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Commuter Rail through a spur off the Attleboro/Providence Line. Cost averages $8 round-trip from Boston's South Station, with trains arriving 1/2 hour before while departing 1/2 hour after the match. Please note that train service is intermittent and not regular. For more information about this option, travelers are advised to log on to www.mbta.com, call the MBTA at 617-222-3200, or the Revolution ticket office info line at (877) GET-REVS to check on service for a particular match. Getting to the ground from the station couldn't be easier as the platform is immediately adjacent to the stadium. Tickets Individual match tickets must be bought through Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com unless bought on the day of the match at Gillette Stadium. However, available seating/tickets purchased on match day are at the discretion of the Revolution, i.e., you may not be sold a seat in your desired section. Will call is located at the front of the ticket office. Ticketmaster customers must go to the phone order will call windows. Capacity is capped at 22,000 per regular home MLS league match, and matches have been known to “sell-out”. Groups of six or more may purchases tickets directly through the club by calling 1-877-GET-REVS (1-800-438-7387). As is the case in most American stadiums, visiting fans are seldom designated a specific section unless otherwise arranged in advance through the Revolution ticket office. Disabled supporters will enjoy excellent services such as free advanced assisted listening system (ALS) headsets and receivers. Gillette Stadium also provides seating sections with enhanced sight lines on all levels. For more information specific to patrons with disabilities, contact ADA Coordinator Guest Services at VOICE: 508-543-1776. TDD/TTY: 508-384-4389 Parking opens 3 hours before game time. Unreserved next to stadium, price varies per event. Parking is $15 for most Revolution matches. Refreshers Eating and drinking options for the hard-core soccer supporter are few and far between in the vicinity of the Stadium. This is due in part to the isolation of the stadium. That being said, there is extensive tailgating conducted by both season and game day ticket-holders, and on any given day you’ll see grills in the parking lot cooking everything from steak tips and hot dogs to stuffed pork loin and the excellent local chourico (Portuguese sausage). Stadium concessions at Gillette while numerous (46 permanent concession stands, across all concourses) are expensive: The two McDonald's stands on-site feature quarter-pounder "value meals"... for $9.00. You may also find typical New England regional fare such as fried clams, chowder, and more. There are also many portable food and beverage stands across the Gillette Stadium complex. Available beers include Budweiser, Bud Light, Sam Adams, and Guinness. Club Merchandise Available Revolution items may be purchased through the massive New England Patriots Pro Shop (1-888-662-7287), the largest such facility in the NFL. However, you’ll have to sort through the maze of NFL merchandise to find the small corner retaining the selection of soccer items. Replica jerseys, caps, scarves, t-shirts, and mini balls are pretty much it, and stock varies in both variety and numbers. Replica shirts cost $79.95, individual numbering and lettering not available. Umbro currently supplies the team uniforms and warm-ups, much to the chagrin of club and fans as any and all merchandise must be shipped from the company’s headquarters in the U.K., this after their North American office was closed last year. Suffice it to say it is a sight better than Atletica, the previous supplier: the club faced such difficulties in obtaining gear that at one point they had to convert replicas from the Pro Shop into match jerseys when an order was late. Area soccer specialty shops usually carry club items, but don't expect to see any in major chain sporting good stores in Boston or Providence. Fan Culture No matter the number of luxuries that await fans at the new Gillette Stadium, the acoustics and atmosphere do not compare favorably with the old Foxboro Stadium. Any trouble you'll find might involve some disagreement with Stadium Security staff over Stadium rules and regulations, those that are often enforced quite arbitrarily. The most passionate and vociferous supporters are located in "The Fort" (Section 143), which is the lone section in the stadium where standing is explicitly allowed. Two supporters groups, Rev Army and the Midnight Riders make their home in the section while providing the most vocal support even while carrying the burden of following the league's worst club, they often do so in good humor and with creativity. Popular local punk/hardcore band Dropkick Murphys are known to be fans, with the group’s resident bagpiper Spicy McHaggis, sometimes making an appearance in the section to lend musical accompaniment to the chants and cheers emanating from the section. The rest of the stadium, sometimes referred to in contrast as "The Morgue" is one of the quietest and most laid back in the league, owing much to the demographic of children and families who make up the bulk of the fan base. It's a shame that the massive capacity (68,000) is "down-sized" to 22,000, sell-outs rarely achieved unless paired in a double-header. The equivalent of a local derby involves the MLS club 300-plus miles to their south in the Metrostars, and while they regularly draw supporters North to Foxboro in relatively large numbers, the tenor of the rivalry is decidedly muted. Over the years traveling away support has also been spotted from Columbus and Chicago. On The Web The Revolution's official website, formerly maintained by the club, has since seen its development franchised out to an off-site web design firm. The end result is a stagnant, uninteresting effort that's seemingly designed as a vehicle for ticket sales and canned press releases better suited for the A.P. Wire. Long gone are early progressive efforts that saw the introduction of both web audio and video features that allowed for informed commentary and discussion. Judge for yourself at: www.revolutionsoccer.net There are however two unofficial on-line efforts that merit mention and praise. www.nhsoccer.com/rev/ is The Unofficial New England Revolution Pages, which "provide a wealth of historical club information that's sorely lacking from the official..." and so on. This is the best resource for archived Revs history. www.RevsNet.com is a different independent website, providing ongoing coverage of the Revs, i.e. "the other half of the content burden that the Official Site should develop, providing in-depth analysis, match and practice reports, in addition to audio interviews with coaches, players" etc. Finally, Emlyn Lewis and his counterparts at www.cybersoccernews.com have provided an excellent selection of in-depth features that you won't see in the Globe or Herald, the sort of intelligent prose you might read in the Football Echo overseas. Boston Breakers (WUSA, women’s 1st division) The Boston Breakers, boasting Kristine Lilly, Danny Mellgren, Tracey Ducar and Kate Sobrero on their roster, have struggled through their first two seasons, despite an obvious wealth of talent. They have finished below .500 both of their seasons, but continue to be one of the top drawing teams in the league. The Breakers hold the honor of hosting the first WUSA Founder’s Cup, although it was held down the road, at Foxboro. Stadium: Nickerson Field has an important place in Boston Sports History: the main grandstand was originally the right field pavilion of Braves Field where National League baseball was enjoyed for many years. Braves Field and Fenway Park were unique among old-time Major League Baseball stadiums in that they both consisted of broad single level grandstands. Braves field was the newer and larger of the stadiums, but everything outside of this one pavilion and the main entrance building was demolished in the 60’s to make room for Boston University dormitories and a basketball arena. Renamed Nickerson Field in the 1960’s, the venue hosted Boston University football games until the sport was dropped in 1997. In 2000, the stadium was extensively renovated to welcome the Breakers as their new tenant. It is one of the best facilities in the WUSA, and one of the best attended, with the Breakers averaging over 8,000 fans per game. Nickerson is about 1 mile from Fenway Park, so you may on occasion have an opportunity to attend a Breakers-Red Sox “doubleheader”! Tickets: Colors: Light Blue, White Honors: None Directions: From the West: From the North or South Shore: Directions from Nickerson Field to the Mass. Pike Parking: 1. Babcock Street Lot – Located on Babcock Street on the westbound side of Commonwealth Avenue. The lot is directly across the street from the Case Center and Nickerson Field. Due to its proximity to the field the cost is $15.00. 2. Dummer Street Lot - Located off of Pleasant Street on the eastbound side of Commonwealth Avenue approximately 0.3 miles from Nickerson Field. Opens three hours before game time. 3. 808 Commonwealth Avenue – Located on the eastbound side of Commonwealth Avenue approximately 0.3 miles from Nickerson Field. 4. University Road Bridge Lot – Located on the westbound side of Commonwealth Avenue approximately 0.5 miles from Nickerson Field. Merchandise: Refreshers: Not as extensive as for the New England Revolution, but they have burgers, hot dogs, chili, pizza, sodas, pretzels, sodas, ice cream, candy, and the like. Fan Culture: The crowds are loud and enthusiastic, and very much family oriented. There are no known organized supporters clubs, but generally a small cluster of devotees will congregate at the front of the end zone and periodically coordinate some chants. This, however, should improve in coming years. On the Web: Print Coverage The local broadsheet and tabloid (The Boston Globe and Boston Herald respectively) are two of the most consistent newspapers in the country when it comes to providing local, national, or international soccer coverage. However, at times both may be lacking in bite with each demonstrating a predilection towards standard player features and match reports. The Providence Journal did have an excellent writer in Doug Chapman, but has since relieved him and has drastically cut back their coverage. Tim Bresnahan does a good job for the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune, while the New Bedford Standard-Times is also making a more determined effort at coverage of late. There is at present no fanzine being produced or sold, although for five years Pictures of Chairman Mao offered up a delightfully subversive mix of both cultured humor and critical analysis, even being sold as far as Sportspages in London and Manchester in England. Unfortunately the 'zine closed shop during the Summer of 2000 after conflicts with the club over the inability to sell the publication on stadium property and the unfortunate and unnecessary arrest of a POCM editor. It's widely considered to be the best fanzine ever produced by and for fans of the club and Major League Soccer. Practically every Revolution match can be seen on local or regional TV thanks to contracts with Fox Sports New England or the local Boston WB affiliate. Nationally televised matches (six in 2002) are usually broadcast on ESPN2. Local commentators include Adrian Healey, a Swindon Town supporter with a background in pop radio, while "Dapper" Doug Chapman is a local New Englander with a strong print background, having emotional ties to Premiership clubs Arsenal and Charlton. Bars & Pubs Boston and Providence offer an overwhelming array of options for a fan looking to grab a bite or lift a pint, and some say you’ll find more real Irish bars in Boston then you’ll find in Dublin. The Overdraught Paddy Burke's You can also catch live English Premiership matches in and around Boston including the Irish Embassy in Boston (where one can get a great, artery-clogging Irish breakfast), Common Ground in Allston, Roggie's in Brighton, and The Plough & Stars in Cambridge. Irish Embassy Common Ground Roggie's Brew & Grille The Plough & Stars Restaurants Whether you’re looking for a good curry, lobster, a great roast beef sandwich or Brazilian BBQ, Boston has an extraordinary range of options for a reasonably small city. In many ways Boston is a large college town, and the many restaurants help cater to and feed some 250,000 students that descend on the area each year. Good dining guides are available through Boston.com at www.ae.boston.com/dining or www.restaurant.com/boston.html. Local institutions include Legal Seafoods, Mike’s Pastry in the North End (Italian section of town), Bartley’s Burger Cottage in Cambridge and Kelly’s Roast Beef on the North Shore in Revere. The latter two possess cult followings; Kelly’s offering a lobster roll that’s been known to inspire road-trips from as far as New Jersey. Legal Seafoods Mike’s Pastry Bartley’s Burger Cottage Kelly’s Roast Beef Hotels & Accommodations The Four Points Norwood Hotel & Conference Center Comfort Inn Foxboro Courtyard by Marriott - Foxborough Hilton @ Dedham Place Holiday Inn Boston Dedham Hotel & Conference Center Residence Inn by Marriott Irish Embassy Hotel (Youth Hostel) |