More than 55,000 people turned out for the first World Cup Qualifying match held at Soldier Field, home of the 1994 World Cup opening game.

VOA: standard.2009.06.07

This followed an attack on Togo's national team two weeks ago as it traveled to its opening game in the African Cup of Nations in Angola.

VOA: standard.2010.01.22

Mr Mandela's family made it clear that despite his frail health he hoped to make a brief appearance at the opening game between South Africa and Mexico to share his joy with the country.

VOA: standard.2010.06.11

With the game opening up, Joris Mathijsen was nearly an unlikely scorer for the Dutch while Spain substitute Jesus Navas saw his shot deflected into the side netting.

CNN: Spain celebrates Iniesta, World Cup

New York took the three-game season series against the Bruins, winning a shootout and an OT game after opening the season with a 3-1 loss to them.

WSJ: 4 of NHL's Original 6 among 8 still in playoffs

Yes, the NHL's Capitals and Rangers won thrilling Game 7 opening-round victories, but both of those series were tied 2-2, and could have held similarly thrilling, do-or-die Game 5s.

WSJ: NBA, NHL Playoffs: Why Are the Playoffs So Long?