Are you counting down? I’m counting down. I can hardly stand the anticipation. It’s been eight long years since the last time I made the short drive to Columbus to watch the US Men’s National Team take on our hated rivals Mexico at Crew Stadium in a World Cup qualifier. And now we’re just a few days away from what will hopefully be the latest in a string of Dos a Cero‘s in favor of the good guys in red, white and blue.

As you’ve probably heard, Wrong Side of the Pond will be there — as an Ohio-based soccer site, it would be criminal not to be — along with another 24,000 rabid USA fans, including the lucky winners of my #WSOTPtix4U contest from a few weeks ago.

But for many, this is their first pilgrimage to Columbus’ Cathedral of Soccer for the match of all matches. Once in Ohio, they’ll find themselves in unfamiliar surroundings and unaware of where and when all of the events surrounding the match might be. But thanks to my close proximity and involvement in some of the action (and maybe some heavy Googling) I’ve got the low down on all of the happenings in Columbus for USA vs Mexico.

The best part about the growing list below? All the events, save attending the match itself, are free. So even if you can’t attend the game, there’s no reason you can’t still get in on the excitement. And if you haven’t done so yet, be sure to check out my full guide to visiting Columbus and Crew Stadium in the WSOTP Stadium Guide.

• 3:00pm – 7:00pm: Official US Soccer Fan Head Quarters (#FanHQ)
  160 Easton Town Center, Columbus, OH
  Open the entire weekend prior to the match at the Easton Shopping Center on the Northeast side of Columbus, the FanHQ will feature all sorts of activities to help you get excited for USA vs Mexico… as if you needed more of a reason. You can have your picture taken and added to the fan photo wall, show your skills on a futsal court, a free Gatorade bar, and the chance to take part in trivia contests for some cool prizes by using the hashtag above.
• 9:00pm – 12:00 midnight: #USAvCRC Watch Party
  Fado Irish Pub, 4022 Townsfair Way, Columbus, OH
  Located around the corner from the Fan HQ at Easton Town Center, watch the USMNT’s first Fado is one of Columbus’ most prominent soccer bars. In addition to offering specials, you can also play Bar Squares and have another shot at prizes.

• 11:00am – 7:00pm: Official US Soccer Fan Head Quarters (#FanHQ)
  160 Easton Town Center, Columbus, OH
  In addition to all of the offerings described above, the Futsal court will also feature Youth Play Hours on Saturday and a chance to meet and play with US and Columbus Crew legend Frankie Hejduk.
  • 11am – 12 noon: Ages 10-11
  • 12 noon – 1pm: Ages 8-9
  • 1pm – 2pm: Ages 6-7
  • 2pm – 3pm: Ages 4-5
  • 3pm – 7pm: Open Play

• 11:00am – 7:00pm: Official US Soccer Fan Head Quarters (#FanHQ)
  160 Easton Town Center, Columbus, OH
  See details above.
  • 11am – 1pm: Open Play
  • 1pm – 6pm: Frankie Hejduk Challenge Cup
    A limited number of local adult (minimum age of 16) teams will compete — for free — in a futsal tournament for the right to play Frankie Hejduk and his team and lift the inaugural Frankie Hejduk Challenge Cup. MORE INFO

• 4:00pm – 2:00am: Hudson Street Hooligans USA vs Mexico Party
  Hedonc’s Pub, 2375 North High Street, Columbus, OH
  Hosted at the home pub for Columbus Crew supporters group the Hudson Street Hooligans, this 21-and-up USAvMEX party will feature a full slate of live music, food trucks, beer pong and cornhole. If that’s not enough, the gang from the Massive Report Podcast will be live recording a pod featuring USA media — potentially including Wrong Side of the Pond — Frankie Hejduk will make yet another appearance, and a giveaway including tickets to the match and signed memorabilia!
• 5:00pm – 7:00pm: Official US Soccer Happy Hour and Pep Rally
  The Bluestone, 583 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH
  Building on the previous three home FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, the U.S. Men’s National Team will hold a happy hour and pep rally with supporters once again before #USAvMEX. Things will kick off with food and drink specials set to the tunes spun by DJ Paul Devro. The Pep Rally will also feature appearances from Coach Jürgen Klinsmann and select current and former USMNT players, including local legends Brian McBride and Frankie Hejduk.
• 7:00pm – 2:00am: American Outlaws Night Before Party
  4th Street Bar, 1810 N. 4th St., Columbus, OH
  All ages are welcome to gather and enjoy the company of fellow American Outlaws and US Soccer fans from across the country. Music, beer, food and giveaways will likely feature, and some of the biggest names in US Soccer have been known to make appearances at events past. It’s always one of the biggest parties in town before a USMNT match.

• 12:00 noon – 7:00pm: USA Mega Tailgate FEATURING WSOTP!
  Northeast corner of the Crew Stadium General Parking Lot, Columbus, OH
  General Admission Parking for $20
  The largest organized tailgate in the parking lot on match day is welcome to all-comers and will feature cornhole, music, tents, tables, chairs and grills, though all food and drink is BYOB. And though parking immediately next to the tailgate will fill up fast, feel free to walk over and join us. Be sure to visit the Wrong Side of the Pond tent at the USA Mega Tailgate to meet me, enter a chance to win one of three shirts from the WSOTP Shop… and if you’re impatient, even order one! MORE INFO
• 2:00pm – 6:30pm: American Outlaws Pre-game Tailgate 
  4th Street Bar, 1810 N. 4th St., Columbus, OH (and the open lot on 17th Ave)
  Parking available for $20 at Cafe del Mondo, 659 N. 4th St., Columbus, OH
  Located a mile and half away from Crew Stadium and outside the parking lots, the official AO tailgate will take place at the same bar as their Night Before Party. In addition to the expected food and drinks, other attractions will include music, a dunk tank, a Jumbo Tron showing classic US matches, an “Add an AO Patch to Your Jersey” station, free swag and more. Off site parking will feature a pre- and post-match shuttle from the 17th Avenue open lot. MORE INFO
• 6:30 – 7:00pm: American Outlaws March to the Match
  4th Street Bar, 1810, N. 4th St. and the 17th Avenue Open Lot
  Join AO as they make their march from their tailgate’s 17th Avenue Lot to Columbus Crew Stadium.
• 8:00pm – 10:00pm: US Mens National Team vs Mexico World Cup Qualifier
  Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, OH
  What we’ve all been (impatiently) waiting for. The big show. The hopeful Dos a Cero. Bring your lungs. The official supporters sections will stretch around the entire Northern rim of the stadium (centered around the stage), as well span the entire South end line.
• 10:00pm – 2:00am: Post Match Festivities
  TBD

That’s everything I’ve been able to uncover thus far, but I’ll be sure to add to the list as more events come to my attention. If you know of an event that should be listed, drop me an email at wrongsideofthepond@gmail.com.