I'm flying so that's not really a Road Trip - seems like there's a fair little contingent going up...

Sorry I've been gone for some time, but when exactly is the match -- I know it is late August?

Also, any good deals on flights?

Gracias.

Looks like about $400 - $500 for 2 Flight reservations, $800 = VERY nice Hotel for 2 people 2 nites - you can pay far less for a good Hotel, $1K - $2K oughta do the whole trip in style for 2 people... Match is August 25! (thanx bestmid)- KC & San Jose play on the 24th...

http://www.usopencup.com/

I think the match is on the 25th. Anyone know the team hotel?

Independent Air is running round trip for around $200 from right here in Charleston, not sure on hotels but I've been in contact with some people from Chicago to get some info. We could split car (or van depending on number of people) rental instead of taxis. might work out cheaper.

Mikey

For hotels try:

http://www.hotels.com

http://www.lastminutetravel.com

http://www.pricleine.com

I routinely get good deals on hotels. In Calgary I got a $200 per night downtown hotel for $45.

Use http://www.biddingfortravel.com to learn how to use Priceline. It gives you a great idea what hotels you are going to get, and how much to bid. I got some great deals this way on my trip back east, including $45 for a Radisson in Montreal, and $28 for a very nice Howard Johnson's near the Pittsburgh airport.

my flights are booked look forward to seeing many Battery Fans in Chicago.

The game is NOT at Soldier Field in Chicago, it is at the former Cardinal Stadium in Naperville, about 20 miles west of the city.

I have been to over a dozen Fire games in Naperville (I live in Milwaukee) and the stadium is very hard to get to from Chicago proper, especially with a kick-off so close to rush hour.

As a matter of fact (and I mean this sincerely, I am not screwing around) there is NO DISCERNABLE PUBLIC PARKING anywhere near the stadium. Naperville is a quiet little suburb, not meant for large crowds at the stadium. For the two seasons that the Fire played in Naperville before moving back to Soldier Field, the "official" Fire parking was about 2 miles away, and there was a free shuttle to and from the game.

Your best bet is to stay in any hotel in Naperville (I have stayed at the Hampton Inn, and I believe a Comfort Inn is right next door). From there, the shuttle busses are about three blocks away.

If you are staying in the north side of Chicago, then your best bet is to meet at Ginger's Ale House (near Wrigley Field) and be there 90 minutes before kickoff. Ginger's runs a coach bus with unlimited beer for about $10 per person. Trust me, from the north side of Chicago, this is the way to go.

Anyone can feel free to E-mail me and I would be happy to help fill you in. For me, even though my apartment is only 90 miles away from the stadium, I have to leave four hours before kickoff (I learned the hard way... I left 3 hours before kickoff on a weekday once and I got there in the 30th minute. Traffic during the week is that bad). I am trying to get half a vacation day so I can get to Naperville for a game.

thanks for the info. I believe Kick off is at 8:30 est, is Chicago in CST? I guess getting the earliest flight their, finding a good bar in Naperville (especially since Naperville stadium is dry), and then hoofing it to the stadium might be the plan.

looks like I'm in as well for sure.

Would be nice to see a few other faces up there. I know a couple others not on the board that are planning on going. I think we're going to try and fly up and back on the same flight and will finalize times at Fridays match. Right now there are a couple flights that will get us in around 2:30-4:30 pm, I don't think we should be any later.
Independent Air (www.flyi.com) has round trip ticket after discounts for around $200 with taxes from Charleston to Chicago.

I'll be willing to split a car if it looks like its cheaper than cabs. Hotels to be decided.

It would be nice to take a couple flags and I might whip up a banner of some sort.

If anyone else want to go shoot me a PM and Ill make sure you get the info.

Mikey

BOOKED -
Flight Information:

Tuesday, 24 Aug 04 Flight DH 1611
Depart: Charleston, SC (CHS) 6:05 am
Arrive: Washington, DC / Dulles (IAD) 7:33 am


Tuesday, 24 Aug 04 Flight DH 1156
Depart: Washington, DC / Dulles (IAD) 9:20 am
Arrive: Chicago, IL / OHare (ORD) 10:21 am


Thursday, 26 Aug 04 Flight DH 1173
Depart: Chicago, IL / OHare (ORD) 5:25 pm
Arrive: Washington, DC / Dulles (IAD) 8:14 pm


Thursday, 26 Aug 04 Flight DH 1625
Depart: Washington, DC / Dulles (IAD) 9:15 pm
Arrive: Charleston, SC (CHS) 10:53 pm

With it looking like Chronopolis is not going to be here ...... I think I am cancel ling my trip to Chicago.
Peace Out
jungle

Where are you getting Chrono won't be here?

the indoor league he signed with doesn't start for another couple months and shouldn't conflict with the Battery schedule at all.

If anyone is interested in catching the same flight to Chicago as me, I will bring the choices tonight to the match and we can talk about it then.

Looking foward to the trip!
Mikey

just confirmed my flight plans!

Chicago here we come!

mikey

Which fighter jet did the USAF let you borrow? FOR A - LEAGUE SAKE GO BEAT CHICAGO AND DO US ALL PROUD.

OPEN CUP CHAMPIONSHIP GAME "OPTIONS"

Date Teams

Sept. 22 San Jose Earthquakes or Kansas City

Venue; City Time

Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, S.C. 7:30 p.m. ET
Charleston Battery

one of the fire fans on the other soccer boards post some good info for us traveling up

here it is
map of campus
http://www.noctrl.edu/map/index.shtml

map of Naperville
http://www.naperville.il.us/emplibrary/dtparkmap.pdf

Direction to the stadium
http://www.noctrl.edu/stud_prospective/visit/directions_to_campus.shtml

Mapquest map
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?cou...archtab=address

Looks like there will be about 12-15 which should make for a grand time.

I'll be arriving on Wednesday alittle before noon and will be probbaly hitting Naperville around 4ish to start with a prematch brew (or two) and something to eat. my cell is 803.431.1736. I have the nubers for a couple of the others that are heading up earlier so we should be able to meet up beofre the match. Im all for trying out "The Lantern" unles you want to crash the Barnburnes pub.

Mikey