FanPost

ICC Destination: Pittsburgh. A personal perspective.

Don Wright-USA TODAY Sports


Before I begin this post, I'd like to thank Danny Pugsley for allowing me to share my road trip adventure to Pittsburgh to see City take on AC Milan in the first ICC match this past Sunday. Danny asked if I would write a personal perspective about the trip to Pittsburgh, my experience in the city and seeing the match live from a fans view. I could sum the whole experience in just three words. It was great! Sorry, but there is a bit more than three words below.

Day One: Saturday, July 26th. The journey begins!

My brother and I are heading out from the Philadelphia area late Saturday morning to the "steel city". In Pennsylvania, I've never been past the capital of Harrisburg. (If you need a minute to pull up a map, feel free.) I never really had the need or desire to "go west young man". Growing up outside of Philadelphia since I was very young, I was taught that you rooted for the "home" sports teams and you hate everyone else, especially the "crosstown rivals". That meant Pittsburgh. So I was a little nervous going there for the first time. I had no idea what to expect. What would the city be like? Dirty, dark, steel everywhere? Would the locals treat my brother and I badly when they found out we were from enemy territory? Some fears were put to rest by my asking fellow coworkers who had been to Pittsburgh before what was it like. They all said it was a really great city and had gone through a lot of rebuilding and revitalization. They said we would have a great time. Ok. Doesn't sound too bad.

As we approached the city, the skyline was not what I expected. The architecture of the buildings was an impressive site. There are 3 rivers that intersect in the city so that also means bridges, and lots of them! It only seemed to add to the character of Pittsburgh. As we drove through the downtown area towards our hotel, I was amazed how clean everything was kept. Kudos to the city workers for keeping the place virtually spotless. We stayed at a Courtyard Marriott in the "cultural district" between 8th and 9th streets. It was the perfect spot. Bars and restaurants too numerous to count and the stadium was only a 1.5 mile walk from the hotel front door. If you didn't want to walk it, you could take the subway, located just a few blocks away, that would get you there in 10 minutes...for free. There were also water taxis you could take located just a couple blocks away as well. The location/distance between the downtown and stadium areas was perfect. Too bad Philadelphia is not like this.

So, we checked in and immediately headed out. I put on my Kolarov shirt, with his new #11, and we decided to walk around a bit before grabbing a bite to eat and drink. We couldn't of been walking for more that 30 seconds when we encountered the first of many Manchester City fans. We stopped, shook hands, cheered on City, talked a bit, then continued onward. We walked around for about 15-20 minutes, took some pictures and walked halfway over one of several bridges that take you to the stadium area. Along the way, we ran into more City fans, cheered the team on, shook hands and continued onward. We saw so many City fans wearing shirts and jerseys, always waving or saying hello. We are a friendly bunch, aren't we! I got so many compliments about my Wolfman jersey!

In this short time thought, my fears of Pittsburgh completely vanished. At least the downtown area where we were staying was beautiful, clean, easily walkable...I can't praise it enough. I was actually falling in love with this city. I know. I'm a traitor but I call it like I see it. We ended up at a pub right across the street from the hotel called August Henry's. Good food and an impressive beer list. The bar patron asked where we hailed from. After some playful jabs about being from Philly, we ordered and felt safe enough to eat our food when it came out! That episode seemed to repeat it self over and over. We tell a native we are from Philly and we got the expected ribbing and jokes but nothing ever nasty or over the line. It was all in good humor. After losing count of how much beer we consumed, it was time to head out. And the great thing, the hotel was less than 50 feet away. Location, location, location.

Day Two: Sunday, July 26th. Game day!

We woke up late. Surprise, surprise. Had a late breakfast then debated how to get to Heinz Field for the match. We'd been hearing for days that storms were coming and they were going to be bad. Great. And it was supposed to start raining later in the afternoon, most likely when the match started. Great. It was a warm, muggy day so we decided after a night of "beerfest" and still feeling some the effects of it, that we would walk the 1.5 miles to the stadium. We're not the brightest people. Kidding aside, I'm glad we did walk. There was a breeze to help with the humidity, but it was a beautiful, scenic walk that I would highly recommend to everybody. We walked across the Roberto Clemente bridge which put you right at PNC ballpark, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. You then go down some stairs and walk along one of the riverfronts to Heinz Field. Just incredible views everywhere you looked. The scenic city skyline on one side and the scenic stadiums on the other. If only Philadelphia was like this.

We finally got to Heinz Field were the City match was to be held. The landscape was awash with City blue everywhere. There were definitely more City fans and supporters than AC Milan had, but it was a great atmosphere. Everyone was friendly. There were activities for the kids, food vendors, a live band and places where you could buy ICC, Man City and AC Milan merchandise. Once we got inside, we managed to find our seats and we weren't disappointed! We were 5 rows up from the right corner flag in the City supporters section. The stadium was absolutely beautiful. We met people from all up and down the east coast and beyond. Two City fans sitting next to us were from West Virginia. One of them has been a fan since 1981. Others were from Baltimore, North Carolina, Virginia, Indiana....all over.

Finally, the players came out for their warmups. It was like a dream at first. This team, these players that I have watched every weekend on TV were finally live, in person, right in front of me! Navas, Jove, Wolfman, Hair, Richards, Nasty and the new boys, Willy, Rekik and rising star Iheanacho. It was so cool finally seeing these guys! Sure, the really big names weren't there but I had no complaints.

I stood up to take pictures of the City players during their warmups and then I saw it. A tent that said something about having your picture taken with the trophies! The Holy Grails were here! The EPL and Capital One Cup trophies! I told my brother and we sprinted to the tent. It was an incredible feeling to be standing there with the two trophies inches away from me. I was in awe and also so proud to be a City supporter and so proud of the players that earned these championships. I was so tempted to lift the premier league trophy like Captain Kompany but you weren't supposed to touch them. Oh well. Still, it was so cool getting a picture taken with them. I would imagine that the same thing will be set up for the match in NYC. Hell, I'll get my picture taken again with the trophies!

The game started on time and after about 7-8 minutes, it started to sprinkle a little. It was just a tease as to what was coming later. The first half was great, game-wise. After about 11-12 minutes, City scored and basically took over the half. The City supporters went crazy after each goal. We would do some chants to urge them on, sing some chants, it was so much fun. Then about 10 minutes before the first half ended, the heavens opened up and it rained. No, it poured. Oh, and there was the thunder and little flashes of lightning in the distance. Great. I'm surprised they actually finished the half. It then started to get really bad so the stadium officials asked everyone to head for shelter inside the concourses. Man was it raining. The winds were kicking up, add in some thunder and lighting...yikes! A lot of fans thought they might call the game. But after about 30 or so minutes, the storm front blew through and it turned out to be a beautiful afternoon! Blue skies (God is a City fan too), the sun came out and the temperature and humidity were lower. Game on! On to the second half!

The first half was more exciting. 4 goals will do that, especially when they are scored down on the end you are sitting. The big buzz in the second half was the introduction of Mario Balotelli. The guy is still a conversation piece no matter who you are rooting for. The best moment was when two AC Milan supporters ran onto the pitch and took a "selfie" with Mario! The stadium went nuts and cheered them. I have to admit, Mario played it perfectly by just standing there and posing with them. That had to be one of the funniest sports moments I've every seen live.

As for the match, City looked great. I was so happy that Jovetic got a brace. This guy has some serious talent. Navas had an outstanding match flying up and down the pitch, scoring a goal, setting up another. Sinclair also played great. I'm so glad he's finally able to show everyone what he is capable of doing. I almost wish Pellegrini would keep him. I'd be shocked if teams aren't lining up at City's door asking about him. Big Willy was in goal and had a great match as well. He made an incredible point blank save in the first half. And then there was Iheanacho! No one can believe this kid is only 17! He already shows the calmness of a striker that's been in the league for several years. He's smart with the ball and he's not afraid to take a shot. When he scored, we all went crazy and he ran over to our corner to celebrate! It was awesome!!! Mark my words, this kid is going to be something!

All good things must come to an end. City won 5-1. We were in great spirits. It was time to walk back to our hotel, clean up a bit, then find another pub or restaurant to celebrate. We ended up at a really cool restaurant, again right across the street from the hotel, called Sienna Mercato that I highly recommend. Great atmosphere, food and beer list were excellent. The restaurant had a lot of exposed brickwork and the front opened out onto the sidewalk. In the back, you can take an elevator up to the third flood where there is a rooftop beer garden. How cool is that? I guess we should have ventured out a bit further to dine instead of always ending up right across the street from the hotel. Next time. Hopefully there will be a next time.

To wrap it all up, my brother and I had a blast. If City ever play another match in the "steel city", we are definitely going again. I can't say enough good things about the city of Pittsburgh. If anyone has a chance to go...go! Stay in the downtown "cultural district". There are so many places to eat, there's a live theatre nearby, museums, the stadiums, all in walking distance. It's clean, the people are super friendly and even walking around at night, we never felt threatened. Of course we were in a nice section of Pittsburgh, but it was definitely worth the drive to see my boys in sky blue for the first time in person. On to New York City for Wednesday nights ICC match v Liverpool. Come on City!

I created a separate FansShots post and put a video-photo slide show on there of the trip/game. Here is it as well in case you maybe missed it.

Man City in Pittsburgh