Metra is banning alcohol from all its trains, and organizers are prohibiting it from their get-together in Grant Park. Beer was sold at the first viewing party, and was planned for this one. But after conferring with city and Chicago Park District officials, U.S. Soccer officials said there will be no beer this time.
"We didn't think it was necessary, given that it's a morning event," US Soccer organizer Sinhue Mendoza said. "A lot of folks are coming from work and probably going back. It'll be a family atmosphere."
The U.S. men's team plays Germany at 11 a.m. Thursday, and the game will be shown live on two large video screens at the Petrillo Music Shell in Butler Field. Spectators will be admitted beginning at 10 a.m. through two entrances: one at Monroe Street and Columbus Drive, and the other on Jackson Drive between Columbus and Lake Shore Drive.
Late morning and some evening rush hour trains are likely to be very full, and longer boarding times may cause minor delays, Metra warned. The commuter rail agency will add extra police on its trains, and service alerts will be posted at www.metrarail.com.
The U.S. game Sunday against Portugal drew an estimated 20,000 people. Torrential rain the day before forced organizers to move it to Balbo Avenue, where the fenced-in area couldn't hold all the fans. Some were shut out and watched from outside the enclosure.
U.S. Soccer officials said they don't expect the same problems this time because Butler Field, in front of the band shell, is much larger. Fans will be crowded together standing in front of the main 27-by-17-foot video screen, but there may be room at the back for blankets and chairs, with a second 12-by-9 foot video screen placed in the middle of the field.
Food and drinks will be sold, and a Fan Fest will feature a soccer tournament, with activities going until 5 p.m. The show will go on rain or shine, Mendoza said, but any lightning would force an evacuation.
As a precaution, the Lurie Garden in Millenium Park will be closed during the party to protect the plants.
For those taking public transportation, the CTA bans alcohol on its trains at all times. Metra normally allows riders to drink alcohol on board within reason, but bans it for big events like Taste of Chicago or St. Patrick's Day, spokeswoman Meg Reile said.
"When we're expecting large crowds, it helps preserve the safety of riders on our system," she said.
rmccoppin@tribune.com
Twitter @RobertMcCoppin
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