The Tartan Army Looks to Invade loanDepot Park Monday
In preparation for their FIFA World Cup match against Brazil at Miami Stadium, the Tartan Army from Scotland will drink, sing and dance the night away at a Miami Marlins game Monday night.
MIAMI - The Scottish Tartan Army is invading Little Havana.
The first-class partying which started in Boston last week will continue Monday evening in Miami when the Army is expected to takeover loanDepot Park as the Miami Marlins face the Texas Rangers at 6:40 p.m. ET.
The Home Run Deck in left center field has been reserved for loyal Scottish supporters. The drinks will be flowing and the voices will be singing. The last time the park had this much excitement was this past spring for the World Baseball Classic where Miami's diverse Latin community came out to support their homeland.
Leading up to its Wednesday FIFA World Cup match against Brazil the Scottish football team and its most ardent supporters have touched down in Miami and are ready to experience the city like no other group of tourists has.
They are planning to tackle all of the culture, music, drink and entertainment that the City of Miami has to offer. What they will experience, the Chamber of Commerce cannot even dream of advertising in its brochures.
Think of Spring Break in Florida, but for adults.
The Army, which represents thousands of Scottish football fans, will kick off their soiree, according to media reports, in Miami Monday afternoon with dinner and dancing at the Ball and Chain restaurant in Little Havana. They will experience all of the sights and sounds of old Havana, Miami style.
Scots and Cubans both enjoy good food, good music and good drink. The Army recently drank the City of Boston dry last week when they played their initial World Cup matches against Haiti and Morocco.
"People have been so great with us, people inviting us back to their homes to celebrate with them," a fan said to WSVN Channel 7 in Miami. "People in America are great."
One Scottish fan remarked, "No Scotland, no party."
Ticket prices for the game have spiked as the Scots look to show their spirit at the ballpark before they travel down the road to Miami Stadium on Wednesday for their tilt against Brazil, who defeated Haiti 3-nil Friday night.
"Boston was insane. I can't wait for Miami," Sean Downie said to WSVN in Miami. "We drank Boston dry. I think Miami doesn't know what's about to hit it. We are hoping Miami is going to be better."
There will be plenty of men dressed in Kilts at the ballpark. The scene will also differ from the usual Miami fans who are generally disguised as empty seats.
The Army and its legion of fans will be singing their songs in the ballpark and they will have their flags and banners ready to show their love for Scotland. The Army will probably give a new meaning to the 7th-Inning Stretch.
The Scottish National Team was so beloved in Boston, it received a letter upon leaving town from Boston Red Sox team president Sam Kennedy, praising their enthusiasm and dedication to their country.
"The Tartan Army treated our home like their own," Kennedy said. "We are better for it."
The Scots will face Brazil on June 24 at Miami Stadium.
Scotland has one victory and one loss thus far in the FIFA World Cup.
Source: Roundtable.io
