Away Trip - LAFC - 4/21/19

[RightFootHammer]

Monkey Mail shipped on Tuesday 4/16/19: Here it is:

Hi Away Travelers,

You are one of 120 plus away travelers to see the first clash of the top undefeated teams so far in the Western Conference. Because this match has huge implications in the standings you can expect it to be intense. Emotions are likely going to run high on this one. Take that tension and emotion and put it into all you have for 90+ minutes to let our boys know we are there to support them! Please make sure you read thisemail in its entirety so you are aware of the plan and what is expectedof you to obtain your ticket(s). Oh did I mention- you should TIE YOURSCARVES and have them tied at all times.

Tickets:

Your LAFC Away Ticket(s) to stand with the Emerald City Supporters for the match on Sunday, April 21, 2019 at 4:00 PM Pacific are not attached to this email!

As a reminder from the purchase page:

"YOUR TICKET WILL BE A PHYSICAL TICKET- NO PDFS. YOU MUST PICK UP YOUR TICKET(s) IN-PERSON WITH PHOTO ID REQURED OF PURCHASER AT PICKUP. (There will be no exceptions).

NO TRANSFERS , REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES OF TICKETS WILL BE FACILITATED BY ECS.

Due to the fact that your ticket will be physical you must meet us at the prefunc location still yet to be determined to pick up your ticket. Plan your travel and match day accordingly and expect that this will be at least 3-4 hours prior to kickoff."

So you must meet us at the no host tailgate in Lot 6 between 11:00 am and no later than 1:30 pm to pick up your physical tickets and get your wristband(s) too! There is no option to leave tickets at will call so make sure you plan for LA traffic.

Stadium Address: (See attached Map)


Banc of California Stadium

3939 S Figueroa St

Los Angeles, CA 90037

The physical address for Lot 6 is 651 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.


Pre Func & Ticket Pickup 11:00-1:30 PM Lot 6: (See attached Map)


We will prefunc in Lot 6 at the Banc of California Stadium with a no host tailgate. There is no designated spot in the lot but you will see us ECS peeps gathered together (look for the group with the ECS flags!), but parking is on a first come first serve basis, so if you plan on driving, please prepay for Parking in Lot 6.

If you are using a ride share service it is suggested by LAFC that you use Lyft because they will drop you off at the designated Lyft drop off spot which is conveniently located in Lot 6.

We highly suggest you not use public transportation as your route to the stadium. The South East side of the stadium is as far away from public transportation as possible and it requires you to bypass LAFC's supporter groups. Based on our experience last year and the high tensions and implications of this match you would want to avoid the area on the attached map that is highlighted in Blue to avoid.

At 1:30 pm pack up your tailgate supplies and prepare to March to South East Gate Entrance of Banc of California Stadium.

At 1:45 pm we will March across the parking lot to the South East Gate.

Stadium Entry:


2:00 pm We will all meet up with stadium security the South East Gate entrance. Only those with an ECS ticket and wristband will be able to enter the stadium with us (for those with tickets elsewhere in the stadium gates open at 2:30 pm). ECS Tifo Crew will have tifo items at the front of our group for inspection upon stadium entry and will go first. ECS ticketed members will enter the stadium immediately following Tifo Crew. You will be patted down and pass through metal detectors.

LAFC's clear bag policy and extensive list of prohibited items can be found here under Clear Bag Policy and Prohibited Items and Behavior subheadings.

You are allowed to bring one factory sealed water bottle no larger than 20oz per person.

Once we all pass through security we will be escorted up the stairs to our section. A note there is only stair access to our section. We will be the first to enter the stadium so we can get situated before their fans are allowed to enter the stadium.

Gametime Expectations:

Emerald City Supporters is a supporter group. That's important to remember. Our reason for being at the match is to spur our boys on toward victory; everything else is secondary.


1.Our section will be treated as General Admission; we do not enforce seat assignments tifo, capos, the drum, and security will be in front few rows. Everyone else is invited to stand where they feel most comfortable.
2.Please, do not engage in any way withhome fans, this is a very important match and tensions on both sides may be high. Security will keep them at bay; there's no need to engage in any wordplay, taunting, threats, etc. If you have an issue, notify ECS Security, Travel Monkeys, or stadium staff.
3.Participation is encouraged. We'll have song cards so you can sing, chant, and go mental right along with us. Don't worry if you don't know all the words, just follow along the best you can and your support will be felt!
4.There may be times where you can't see as well as you might like due to flags. We like to wave flags. We fought very hard to have flags and we are going to wave them. Even during the run of play sometimes. We feel like it's an important part of showing the boys our support. If a flag is in your way, and you don't like it - please feel free to change where you are standing. Yes, we have permission to stand, apparently that is not the case for the majority ofLAFC fans. That's part of why we do GA, so you're not stuck in an uncomfortable spot.
5.Friends or family in other MLS team gear or colors will not be allowed to stand with us. If you or someone in your group is wearing colors of another MLS team, they will be asked to remove those items. If they refuse, we will try to have your group reseated. If the stadium staff cannot accommodate a reseating, then your group will be asked to leave.
6.Yup.this is so important you get it twice. Please, do not engage in any way with home fans, this is a very important match and tensions on both sides may be high. Security will keep them at bay; there's no need to engage in any wordplay, taunting, threats, etc. If you have an issue, notify ECS Security, Travel Monkey, or stadium staff. If you are on the end of aisle keep your wits about you because there will be LAFC fans passing by you to get to theirseats above or exit to the main concourse.

Postgame:

You can expect our entire section could be held up to 30 minutes post match. Please squeeze in away from the aisles at the end of the match. All of those LAFC fans above us will exit before we do. Once stadium security deems it appropriate for our group to safely leave we will be escorted back out of the South East Gate to parking Lot 6.

Itinerary Recap:

As always, make SURE you check with the travel monkey on the ground for the latest schedule/details.

10:00 am Find Pants

10:01 am TIE YOUR SCARVES! Have you started driving yet? Its LA you should have if that's your mode of transportation.

11:00 am Find Parking Lot 6 for the ECS match ticket pickup, wristband distribution & tailgate

1:30 pm Close up tailgate prepare to March

1:45 pm March to Stadium

2:00 pm Stadium entry, tifo inspection, bag inspection and pat downs

2:15 pm Arrive at our Section

4:28 pmish Kick off- I mean its a National TV broadcast

4:29 pmish OWN Banc of Cal Stadium

6:30 pmish Final whistle & celebrate- Security Hold

7:00 pmish Security Escort back out of stadium.

Eternal Blue Forever Green,
Follow Your Capo & Obey the Monkey
Shannon Bradshaw (Shanders143)
Seth Kosmach ( NucksNBirds)

ECS Travel Monkey

P.S. for up to the moment happenings, follow us on Twitter @ECSTravelMonkey

[mikewarbington]

The Mariners are also in LA playing against the Angels this weekend. The game on Sunday is scheduled at 1PM so too close to Sounders kickoff, but it might be fun to attend the game in Anaheim on Saturday evening at 6PM.

[WestcoastBrian]

The Mariners are also in LA playing against the Angels this weekend. The game on Sunday is scheduled at 1PM so too close to Sounders kickoff, but it might be fun to attend the game in Anaheim on Saturday evening at 6PM.

I will be at either the Friday or Saturday game. Also I will be at the San Diego game on Wednesday.

[straitscuba]

We will be down there for the Sounders and are down for a mariners game on Saturday night!

[Tooncestdc]

When do tickets go on sale?

[straitscuba]

I hear tomorrow....

[tricelt]

I hear tomorrow....

They went on sale to members last weekend.

And speaking of being on sale, did ECS get a larger allotment from LAFC this year? It feels like what's currently available in the store is more than last year. Then again, I think ECS was getting squeezed out because it was their home/stadium opener.

[wfverhaegen3]

Can we bring in flags and two poles this year or are their stupid rules on them the same again?

[Tooncestdc]

Deciding between the USC Hotel on campus or a hotel downtown. Any idea where we went for pre-func or post-func? Is there a hotel that ECS people will likely stay at?

[Mavic]

It will be my first with the ECS. Last year, I had my scarf jacked...ruined a good part of my day. Should be blast.

[Antiei30]

I hear tomorrow....

They went on sale to members last weekend.

And speaking of being on sale, did ECS get a larger allotment from LAFC this year? It feels like what's currently available in the store is more than last year. Then again, I think ECS was getting squeezed out because it was their home/stadium opener.

Yes, we did get a larger allotment from last year. They thought that giving away support 100 tickets was enough bc they listened to MLS. We finagled more & were only visiting group to do so. They at least learned something and upped the allotment this year. But are expecting us to cut off sales way too early. We are working on getting an extension.

[duncanbowring]

This is my first ECS away game. I guess everything I need to know will be emailed?
I’ve got flights, hotel, and bought 2 tix on ECS site. Everything I need? Coming with a season ticket buddy

[WestcoastBrian]

Yes you will receive an email. I remember receiving my email for past games less than a week before the game.

Do you have your transportation planned? How about places to eat?

[ariceups]

Just got my ticket. Is LAX the best airport assuming I'm going straight from the game to the airport?

Thanks.

[WestcoastBrian]

I think Burbank is the best airport, but it might be hard finding a flight that late. Expect a lot of traffic at LAX on a Sunday night.