[Thunderball]

I was also there at game 1, and I agree with a lot of the comments so far.

For the actual game, I thought Ledgerwood was a clear level above the rest and really influenced the game in a positive way. Very calm and composed, but very deliberate and forceful in challenges. Was all over the pitch and really controlled the game. York didn't have an answer.

Malonga is also a clear cut above skill wise, but I agree that he looked a bit lazy and tentative. His touch and composure was really evident, but he's going to have to get use to a more chippy and physical league.

Northover, Escalante, and Büscher I thought had really strong games too. I like strong wingers that can play both ends, and I think Northover and Escalante looked quite effective.

I liked Jordan Brown's game a lot... really seems to have that natural poacher sense and is really speedy. As long as the midfield can connect to him, I bet he's the top scorer.

Adekugbe I thought looked a bit out of depth to be honest. He seemed the weak link in the midfield in the first half, got better in the second, and to me he seemed exposed when Ledge was subbed out. There's some talent there for sure, I think he'll get used to the higher level of competition.

Camargo and Eustaquio definitely couldn't control the mid like Ledgerwood and Büscher did, and really didn't impress me.

Generally, I thought this was better than the USL games I've seen, and below MLS, but having watched Sounders/Minnesota right after, not by a huge margin. Both games had a lot of the same misplays, missed shots and porous defenses. Very entertaining football either way though.

As for the stadium experience... the grandstand clearly isn't done, but it was still pretty good. Our seats didn't have numbers, and the roof would have been nice. That roof will be absolutely clutch though. Good sightlines, but the pillars do interfere a bit.

Washroom facilities were ample, and even at half time, was in and out quick. Better than Saddledome and McMahon for that.

Entry was pretty easy, and we were through security and check-in very fast.

Beers/concessions were surprisingly incapable of handling crowds. Selection was good (Trad, Grasshopper, Moosehead, Oxer Ale, cider, and a couple other options at the Big Rock tent by the looks of things), prices were not amazing but about what you'd expect at a pro sports event. I was surprised there were no grandstand vendors and unless you were content to miss a bunch of the game (which I was not), halftime was a non-starter. All the beer tents were lined up 50+ people deep and moving at a glacial pace.

Parking was frustrating, but we got there 70 mins early, so it was pretty easy. Attendants were short on small bills when we got there, and there was only one credit card machine (and apparently many weren't charged the night before).

Let's say there were somewhere between 3500 and 5000 people there. I think they were set up for maybe half that. You would think these guys had zero experience handling 20-30000 people, since they felt stretched to the limit, and this was maybe 15% of that, and definitely wasn't a sellout.

To be fair, the City and province did Spruce Meadows absolutely no favours as access to the facility from Stoney/22x is really limited and roundabout right now. Don't blame Spruce Meadows for that. Tournament Lane cannot be accessed on Stoney Trail west unless you seriously back track.

I'm looking forward to Wednesday night, as I'm hopeful a smaller crowd and lessons learned from yesterday will make an even better experience.