This was my first time shooting at Invesco Field at Sports Authority Stadium, home of the Denver Broncos.  I had a chance last fall if Ralston Valley High School football would have made it to the finals, but alas, they did not.  A few weeks earlier I had been contacted by Icon Sports Media, a wire I first started shooting for a long time ago, but had not shot for in a few years, to cover the game.  Last Friday I headed over to the stadium to pick up my credentials and parking pass for Sunday’s games.  I put on sunblock and headed into the stadium to find the media room.  I was surprised to see very few photographers.  A few I regularly shoot with, a few I have seen around and even less that I had never seen before.  Once I got all set up, I headed out to the field to get my lovely pink photo bib (necessary to be on the field level to photograph the game), and do a little walk around.  It was hot and humid.  We were suppose to have monsoon rains come during the game, so I was more prepared for rain than sun and by halftime of the first half I had sweated off my sunblock and began to cook.

I was really surprised by this first game.  I fully expected Panama to have their way with the north of the border national team, but the entire game ticked away without a goal either way.  Panama had more chances to get on the board than Canada, but it just was not enough and both teams ended the game tied 0-0.  Going into the game, I had heard the lighting can be really bad at this stadium, and to hope for clouds.  We got mainly sun, and the lighting was actually really nice for the most part.  And with such a nice day, I was expecting to see a lot of people, but very few seats were filled for this first game.

All photos are available for media use only through Icon Sports Media.

Now to the photos…

I just loved the lighting I was getting early on…

It was a physical game.  Canada seemed to be getting banged around quite a bit, as you can see from the shot bellow.  That being said, Panama spent most of the time flopping on the field.  It got real old, real quick.

The shot bellow is one of my favorites from the first game.  I love getting that great header shot…

While the sun was harsh, I saw a lot of action down in my corner of the field.  Got some great battles during the game as shown in the next  4 shots.

Late in the game, Panama’s Waterman, gave for some very animated shots, whether he was controlling the ball…

Or being taken to the turf.  He likes to wave his arms around a lot.

I honestly think he even had Panama’s best chance to score off the shot attempt bellow.  His shot was hard, and fast, but off the mark.

I had about 35 minutes at the end of this game to run in, download and transmit, and get ready for the second game.  That will be posted soon.