Hello from Germany!

There are so many reasons I want Charlotte FC to win tonight

Guten Tag von Deutschland!

First, congratulations to Johnathan Russell, the winner of our May contest and a pair of tickets to Charlotte FC’s win over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday.

Second, congrats to everyone who got their Chelsea tickets. With the UK Government’s approval of the sale of the club, looks like it’s game on for the Charlotte/Chelsea friendly on July 20.

Third, I’m writing this edition of Sam’s Soccer Sheet on an Intercity Express train between Frankfurt, home of this week’s Europa Cup winners Eintracht Frankfurt, and Mainz, home of 1. FSV Mainz 05.

Later tonight, the New York Red Bulls will host Charlotte FC for the first of two games in as many weeks, with Charlotte’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup future on the line. There are many reasons to root for a Charlotte win tonight: the Open Cup, bragging rights, and, as I wrote for Queen City Nerve, the absolutely terrible impact Red Bull as a brand and company has had on football around the world. It’s not an understatement to say they’re the most hated club in Germany.

I apologize for the lack of analysis of Charlotte’s play this week as I navigate Germany with my wife Rebekah, but I haven’t had time to catch the game against the Whitecaps, and as an added bonus the WiFi went out in our last hotel, so I couldn’t log on to Miguel’s most recent press conference. I’m hoping to more than make up for it with some interesting articles when I return.

In the meantime, enjoy these photos from the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, home of East Berlin’s 1. FC Union Berlin, as well as a stop in Poland.

In the players’ tunnel to the pitch at Stadion An der Alten Försterei. I’m way too happy to be there.

Rebekah showing off Charlotte FC’s Newly Minted kit in Germany

Three of the four sides of the stadium are standing-room only. The net is there not for stray balls but for stray beers.

A monument to the locals and supporters who gave their time, effort, and work to rebuild and renew the stadium during the 2008-2009 season in order for it to be suitable for Bundesliga play.

I didn’t forget Poland.