In the second game I attended yesterday, Mexico beat Peru 4-0 in an international friendly at Soldier Field. After leaving Grace O’Malley’s, I made the 20 minute walk over to the Soldier Field ticket office. On the way, I talked with a few scalpers – most who wanted around face value for tickets.

Once I was at the ticket office, I again ran into the woman who recognized me at a Northwestern basketball game. This time we started chatting about how ticket sellers outside the stadium always save you money over ebay, stubhub or a ticket broker. However, most people do not like the negotiation that takes place with ticket scalpers outside the stadium. As we were talking, our Wrigley Field scalper, Broker Ben, came up and started chatting with me. He told me his tickets were too expensive for me (he wanted $40 each) and that I should wait for a better deal.

As we were milling around, a fan arrived with three extra tickets (face value was $75 each). He wanted $40 each, but I said I would only pay $40 for a pair. He agreed. As I walked back to meet the Ultimate Sports Wife, another scalper asked me how I had done purchasing tickets. I told him $20 each for $75 tickets. He said that was a good price.

International Soccer Ball Tip: The group of guys sitting behind us at the game last night caught a ball when it came into the stands. Soccer is not like baseball in that you can keep the ball. However, these guys tried to. Security came down twice and eventually found the ball, but these guys could have had a free souvenir if they had tried a little harder.

After the game, Nicole and I ate dinner at Exposure Tapas Restaurant located at 1315 S. Wabash Ave. The restaurant is in the same area as the Irish pub but a closer walk to the red line train station and has an outdoor patio. Last night (Sunday nights), Exposure has a half-price bottle of wine special. If you are heading to Soldier Field you should try one of the few restaurants on that corner.