If you are looking for an international soccer match where the tickets are available and affordable, you do not have to travel far and the match has meaning, then check out the World Cup qualifying schedules. World Cup qualifying begins about two years before the next World Cup – meaning most countries are already participating in qualifying matches for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Last night, in the first World Cup qualifier I have attended, the US Men’s National Team defeated the national team of Trinidad & Tobago 3-0. The victory set 3 records for the U.S.

1) It was the first time the U.S. has earned six consecutive shutouts.
2) It was the sixth straight victory in World Cup qualifying dating back to 2006.
3) It tied the team record for five consecutive victories during a single World Cup qualifying campaign.

The game was played at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL so we had to drive and pay $15 to park. We thought about dining at Grand Duke’s Restaurant before the game, but settled for buying McDonald’s and eating in the parking lot with the other U.S. fans.

The attendance for the match was only 11,452, which was just above half full – a poor showing for the U.S. Men’s soccer team.

After the game, we drove north along Archer Rd. rather than Harlem Ave. If you are looking for a dive bar before or after the game, Archer Rd. has a handful to choose from (such as the Brown Jug Inn, Corner Joynt, and Uncle John’s Place) as you drive back to I-55. We did not stop in this time around, but may the next time.