As expected, there were far more empty seats than occupied ones for the first night of the inaugural Pacific Rim Cup at Aloha Stadium.
But the 3,531 who went through the turnstiles were treated to the first professional soccer matches at the facility since 2012. It was also the first soccer event at the venue since the U.S. Women’s National Team withdrew from its scheduled match against Trinidad &Tobago in December 2016.
Akee Malavong, 58, and Billy Rattanasamay, 62, looked somewhat out of place among the youngish gathering. But the successful restaurateurs (Malavong at the Mililani Assagio’s, Rattanasamay at Paesano’s) have a long history with the game.
Malavong started playing in his native Laos, and Rattanasamay at McKinley High School. Both competed in local adult leagues when they were starting out in the restaurant business here at Castagnola’s in Manoa.
“I also played for the Michel’s team for seven years when I worked there,” said Rattanasamay, who still kicks the ball around when he can find time when not shuttling between his restaurants in Waimalu and Manoa.
One of the friends’ best soccer memories is going to the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where crowds in excess of 100,000 watched some of the soccer matches at the Rose Bowl.
They were visibly appreciative of the quality of play as Vancouver of the MLS edged Japanese professional squad Iwaki 1-0 on a 90th-minute penalty kick by Cristian Techera.
Malavong and Rattanasamay also saw Hokkaido beat Columbus 3-2 despite two first half goals by U.S. National Team star Gyasi Zardes. Reis , Ryota Hayasaka and Koji Miyoshi tallied for Hokkaido.
“We don’t get soccer of this level much in Hawaii,” Malavong said. “Maybe if we have it more often, two or three times a year, it would catch on.”
One good thing about a small crowd at a sports event is short lines for restrooms and concessions.
It took less than a minute to order a smoothie from the Maui Wave concession stand run by Tim Abrams, 60, of Makakilo.
“It can be (profitable), it’s just luck of the draw,” said Abrams, a vendor who is contracted by Centerplate. “Let’s just put it this way, it’s not high school football. It’s OK, but they get a percentage of what we sell and there’s no guarantee.
Sarah Lau is among five University of Hawaii players working as team liaisons or in other capacities for this event. Lau, who was just getting started in soccer at the time, was inspired by the 2008 appearance here featuring the Los Angeles Galaxy and their superstar David Beckham.
“I remember it being the first pro soccer I’d ever seen, so now to be working at this event is so surreal,” she said.
The Hawaii High School Athletic Association girls state championships are also this week, at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park. Lau wishes she could be at both places at one time so she could see her alma mater Kamehameha play.
“But this is a great experience, I’m making a lot of great contacts,” she said.
There was no conflict for Duy Le and Hyugo Robinson, friends who attend Island Pacific Academy.
“Not really, because it’s my first chance to see soccer at the professional level,” Le said. “It’s pretty exciting.”
“I’m a referee, so I got a (free) ticket,” Robinson said.
Vancouver and Hokkaido meet at 7 p.m. in today’s championship match, preceded by Iwaki and Columbus at 4.