Celtic vs. Boca Juniors Tonight -- Time for Weee Drink!

Celtic + Boca Juniors are set for 8 PM tonight. Supposedly ticket sales have been slow, but I'm still optimistic for a good turn-out. If you are in the area, you really should consider going to the game. Here are some reasons why you should be interested:

• What an event for Cleveland now, and in the future. This nearly unprecedented event is sure to be eye-opening for anyone on this side of the Atlantic/Rio Grande. And it's a big deal that Cleveland is the only city not on the East or West Coast to host a game like this. Relish it, enjoy it.
  
• A good, enthusiastic showing tonight will increase the likeliehood of 1) future games like this, 2) future soccor-related events like World Cup qualifying events, and 3) an MLS franchise in 2005. Even if you don't care about soccer, these are undoubtedly good things for Northeast Ohio.
  
• Two great teams -- Boca Juniors won the club championship as the best team in all of South America. That is a big deal. Celtic lost in the final of one of the big European championships this spring (there are two major competitions). Both teams are among the best in their respective leagues and have plenty of world-class players.
  
• For a "friendly," this is a pretty important match. Both teams have very important matches coming up and soccer is not a game where a team can play poorly one day and impressively the next -- it's all about pace and tempo, so these teams are attempting to get into the zone so to speak. Boca is warming up for a competition against AC Milan, this years European champion (and originally the team scheduled to play in Cleveland). Celtic has a "play-in" match next week that, if victorious, gets them into the coveted "Champions League" in Europe this season, which would result in great presetige, in millions of revenue for the team, and essentially cement the team's place among the best in the world. You won't see these teams dogging it tonight.
  
• Know what you are missing. Yeah yeah, America doesn't like soccer. But most have never been to a real match, with lots of real fans, with lots of really good players. It rivals NFL football in some ways, and bests MLB baseball in others. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
  
• Irish-Catholic Night Out. Celtic has a huge following in Ireland and one of the largest global followings of any team. You'll find fans all over the world following "the Bhoys." If you missed Irish-fest last week, you can relive it in a different sort of way tonight.
  
• You know how Browns fans brag about the countless "Browns-Backers" clubs? Same deal with Celtic. There are at least 35 Celtic Supporters Clubs in America, and many hundreds around the world. The Cleveland C.S.C. will be out in force and watched every single Celtic game at Brendan O'Neils in Westlake.
  
• More on Celtic.... 80,000 people traveled to Spain this spring for a game that only 30,000 could get into.... they've got tribute bands....your typical Dawg Pound season ticket holder will find much to like.