USMNT vs. Germany soccer game - Hartford, CT

We had the BEST time watching the German National Team beat the US Men's National Team in a friendly soccer match in Hartford, Connecticut!

The day started out decent - maybe a bit cool and overcast but no rain prior to the game or in the first half.  Everyone but Grant looks super happy to be here!  We were a family divided - Natalie and I were rooting for Germany, while Todd and Grant were rooting for the USA.

We RANDOMLY happened to walk up JUST as the German National Team buses were arriving!  What luck!  Natalie was going crazy when her favorite player, Jamal Musiala stepped off of the bus. That's him in the teal colored jacket with the headphones on, directly in the center of the picture above.

And then one of my favorite players, Thomas Müller got off the bus and waved to the crowds. He's also wearing a teal color and is just to the right of the police officer in the hat. If you're a Bayern fan, you love Müller!!

We walked around to the fan fest area and we spotted Landon Donovan taking pictures with fans.  He spent 6 years with Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, and even a bit of time with Bayern München, but was mostly known for his time with the LA Galaxy and his appearances in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups.  Interestingly, Donovan's last game with the USMNT was right here at Pratt and Whitney Stadium!

Just the Bailey family having lunch while watching the US Men's National Team and the German National Team warm up. No big deal.

After warm ups, everyone returned to the locker rooms to get ready for the game.  Bayern München had several players from the team on the roster including Leon Goretzka, Jamal Musiala, Thomas Müller, and Leroy Sané. Former Bayern player Mats Hummels was also on the squad (he would get a yellow card later in the game!)  Manuel Neuer, my all time favorite player is still recovering from the broken leg he got skiing last winter, so he wasn't on the team. Another one of my favorite players, Joshua Kimmich was supposed to be with the team, but he was really sick and flew back to Germany. Insert sad face here.

Kind of love this guy.  Appreciate the effort here.

Awww, look at my boys and their ridiculous sunglasses.  'Merica! Bleep yeah!  

Contrary to popular belief, Natalie and I don't actually know the words to the German National Anthem.

Finally the game got underway!  The first goal "scored" was by the US - but it was promptly taken away due to an offsides call. Pulišić then scored in the 27th minute, making it 1-0, US.  This is just an action shot of Jamal Musiala, unrelated to either of those shots on goal.

But then Deutschland came back!  Gündoğan scored in the 39th minute, follow by a goal by Füllkrug in the 58th minute and finally... and Natalie was VERY happy with this... a goal by Musiala in the 61st minute!

It was a record attendance for a soccer match at 37,743 attendees! The biggest crowd ever was UCONN's football game against Michigan in 2013 with 42,704 attendees. Maybe next time!

Let's go Thomas Müller! He entered the game as a sub in the 80th minute!

In the end, this little girl and I were very happy with a 3-1 win for Deutschland!

You can see Grant was very grumpy that the US lost. Ok just kidding, I think he was just over the rain and the selfies.

Happy girls. 

Friendly handshakes and waves to the crowd after the game.  That's Musiala up on the big screen!  And notice all of the German flags in the opposite corner. There was a nice showing of folks rooting for Germany!

It took FOREVER to get out of the parking lot.  Like, it was almost dark by the time we DID eventually leave.  We hopped back on the highway and headed south for a night in the Bronx before our big day in NYC the following day!

Until next time, Hartford! Deutschland über alles!  (Well, maybe only in a friendly Fußball match!)