So the U.S. national squad looked like it was going to give us a good match … for the first four minutes. Then England scored its first goal in an international friendly match on a free kick from Kieran Richardson, who is 20 years old and, as recently as five months ago, was on Man U’s reserve squad.

I’m sorry, but I was expecting a game. Even though the home side carried some good possession time, the guys played like shite, to borrow a Brit-term I adoped from the many English that wanted to tell me how badly the players performed. This is not to say I didn’t have fun, because I had a blast. Soldier Field was momentarily transformed into a European stadium, replete with banners, flags, chants (from the English) and general rowdiness. The U.S. supporters, though, were relegated to repeating the weak ‘U.S.A! U.S.A.!’ a few times, but emotions were still high.

But freaking Ashley Cole (!) was there - I got to see an Arsenal player right in front of me. Score.

Food of the day: S’mores. Perfect after a long day of drinking and grilling. The coals are still hot, people are having fun and everyone wants to be reminded of childhood summers. Plus the ladies love the romantic gesture of making a cooked marshmallow. I should carry a grill with me at all times.