barkley

This weekend, I made a big step forward in my soccer fandom. My partner in crime and I decide we needed to support them for an away game! The supporters group was chartering buses and providing a tailgate, so off we went to the Red Bull stadium in New Jersey this weekend. I was paranoid about it being us and a bunch of guys in their 20s. I think remnants of a ski trip I took one time with beer and other assorted liquids flowing down the aisles of the bus were kicking in.

However, am pleased to report, a most welcoming all ages all sorts group it was! There was beer in the center of the aisles, but contained in coolers and passed out nicely. And when the lineup was out on twitter and one of the youngins was reading it, I said "That sounds like too many defenders," he said, "Real's playing defensive mid" and showed me his phone so I could see how they were lining up. Small gesture, but inclusive, ya know?

We were met by the Red Bulls representatives (and associated security folks) and herded up to our seats, and made ourselves known. And kept that up the whole game. Watching the replay on TV, you can totally hear us making more noise than the Red Bulls supporters themselves. So much fun. While we waited to get herded out after the game, the players crossed over to the field to thank us and cheer with us. The coach mentioned us in his post game press conference. The president's EA popped onto the bus before we left to thank us from the front office. Cause we were LOUD.

And then I spent the next two hours talking about sports fandom and all the tangents from my cozy seat in a happy buzzing bus. The miles just flew and before we knew it, we were back at Subaru Park.

So much fun.