OK, fast forward 20 years from now, and think about what you will say when someone asks you what was the first sporting event EVER at the "Taj Mahal" of NFL Stadiums.
The answer wont be an epic Monday nighter between the Boys and the Eagles, it wont be the NBA All-Star game, or a big college football game, it will be...brace yourself...Costa Rica vs.Guadeloupe in a Gold Cup Soccer Match!
That's right, the Gold Cup, CONCACAF'S International Soccer Championship is coming to Arlington this Sunday, and along with it, all the passion, glitz and glamour from what's commonly known as the beautiful game.
Costa Rica, Guadeloupe may not sound too easy on the eyes, but Big Bad Mexico will also be in town as the headliners, and "El Tri" draws very well.
Expect between 40-50 thousand fans inside the new stadium, all sporting lime green and red.
So why watch, maybe attend? A couple of reasons.
First, football season is still months away, and baseball season hasn't heated up yet. The only real "futbol" going on right now is the Gold Cup.
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Second, this is Cowboys Stadium first official sporting and nationally televised event.
And third, these matches should be competitive and not the predictable collision course final between the US and Mexico.
This year's Gold Cup is as balanced as its been for years, mainly because the region's two powerhouses are not at full strength.
The United States is trying to defend its '07 Gold Cup title with a mix of younger, lesser known players.
Gone are many of the players that helped the States make a memorable run in last month's Confed Cup, where they pulled a miraculous upset of Spain in the semi's, then consequently blew it against Brazil in the final.
To their credit, the young members of Sam's Army have not been beaten so far, but a draw versus the Haitians in group play has given other teams in the region hope.
The Mexicans on the other hand are in bad shape.
"El Tri" is in un-chartered waters right now, in jeopardy of missing out of the World Cup, and under the direction of yet another coach.
A Mexican coach who by the way, is suspended for kicking a Panamanian player in the groin during a heated group matchup last week in Houston.
That match almost had as much fight as UFC 100, so despite what the experts say, this tourney does matter.
Bottom line, the Mexicans need to win the Gold Cup bad, almost as bad as Kobe needed to win a ring without Shaq.
So expect to see Mexico's best this Sunday against Haiti, and show up early to watch Costa Rica, Guadeloupe...it is afterall, the 1st sporting event EVER at Cowboys Stadium.
