Quote:
Originally Posted by Aerick It was a good day! Was this one televised? Any memorable moments? How did the Loyalists sound?
Recap:
We had our usual tailgate before the game, which members of RCB also attended (they brought Red Bull). While there, Jules brought out some nametags and markers for us to identify ourselves - which was quite helpful. SoccerChick brought a sweet looking cake with "Real" on it (great job!). And TayTay brought some awesome butterscotch cookies. I think Hiba brought some mint ones, though I can't vouch for them ( 😉 ). We also noted that RSL had setup a tent structure with tables to the north of us. In talking with one of the people there (Andy Cho - Corporate Sales) it was setup to handle catered tailgate parties for companies who, instead of doing other summer-time company parties (amusement parks, etc.), decided to do an RSL Day which would include a catered "tailgate" BBQ before the game, and then tickets for everyone during the game. Sounds like a great idea!! I got his card and will try talking the President of the company I work for into doing something like this (he already has season tix, so it may be an easy sell).
Remus did a great job managing the cooking (Deuce brought the Car-B-Q). Steve (Lucky13) handed out membership cards to those who hadn't received them yet. I met a lot of new people this time around, which was good. We also painted a few faces (Jim Umber and I).
We were allowed a booth by the FO to help "spread the good word", and from what I understand we got at least 4 sign-ups on the spot and likely informed dozens of others about the Loyalist cause. Great job to those who "manned" the booths (Luv-my-boys, Hiba, TayTay, and anyone else).
The game, as most of you saw, was a memorable one. 3 goals in the first 25 minutes (?). Saw some great passing and ball control, but my at-game perspective is never quite as complete as my away-game perspective because I can never pay attention to the whole thing (chanting, singing, answering my sons question about what just happened, etc.), so take it with a grain of salt. The Loyalists and RCB were in good form this match - we seemed to have more people participating this game than usual. The front rows (up to about row 10) of sections 31 and 33 were both active along with 32, and several times we got alot of the rest of the crowd chanting with us as well ("DJ COUNTESS, clap, clap, clap clap clap" and the "Ole" song). I remember seeing an old guy (probably in his 60's or 70's) with a fairly long gray beard, and with an RSL T-Shirt on standing about 2 rows back from the RCB hooligans amidst all the other supporters. He was too short really to see much of the field of play, and wasn't standing on the bleachers, but just had a huge smile on his face as he looked around at all the "craziness" that is RSL support. Not sure what his background is, but he may be an ancient soccer enthusiast who was happy to see this type of involvement after so many years. One of the RCB members got down on the front concourse of the north end with a cool-looking skull and crossbones flag in Real colors - the skull bearing a crown - in attempt to get the crowd going. It's good to see stuff like that happen! Additionally, a new chant, "Get on your feet" succeeded in bringing at least the whole north end to their feet clapping in rythym and some of the west and east sides as well. We're getting closer folks!! I must also say, that streamer activity was AWESOME!!! It was to the point where some of us thought they should stop play to clean it up, there were so many streamers out there! In all, the atmosphere was great, and very enthusiastic! It was a great thing for RSL to put together a game like that in front of the crowd that was there. Hopefully, we're winning more fans.
After the game ended, I ended up talking with 2 people who essentially wanted to know how to become Loyalists, and another 2 talked with my wife. We gave them the scoop and pointed them to the website and talked to them about the forum. One of the guys had trekked all the way from the west side. All-in-all, Loyalist membership will have grown by several this game. The best fans in MLS? Yes, I think so!
The fireworks were fun as were the on-field competitions after the game, and the prizes they threw into the stands - both of my kids got mini-soccer balls. Lucky13 (Steve) won the DJ Countess signed keeper jersey from the Kam's Kauses charity raffle, and a little girl that Hiba was with got an MLS regulation soccer ball signed by Jamie Watson - which he gave right to her. Additionally, Jamie came around and signed autographs, which both of my children were lucky enough to get on their shirts. In retrospect, we should have brought our 3 month old down and had Jamie sign his little RSL onesie that Hiba designed on CafeExpress (?). We're going to try to go to practice this week or next and have them do so.
For those of you that haven't been able to make it to a home game yet, my condolences, and here's hoping that you'll be able to soon to experience what a great environment we have here!
What a great evening!! |
Thanks for this awesome recap Aerick.....I'm glad I was right in the middle of the action(with the Loyalists
👏 )...this was the first game that my husband (Mr.Malo aka Dre) and I (Patty) were able to sit with our fellow loyalists. What an amazing game, one of the most exciting ones I've been to.
It was the perfect day with the perfect ending. We had so much fun, we're glad we were able to meet a lot of our fellow loyalists and RSL fans at the tailgating and at the game. We are hoping we will get to see you all more often.
I tried to convince Steve(Lucky 13) to trade me his autographed DJ Countess Jersey for my mini Lovesac w\$25 gift certificate, but he wouldn't take me up on the offer.. shoot!
:whistling LoL.
Anyways,thanks for the props on the cake. Jules thanks for the nametags.. great idea.. I think we should do that more often. Thanks for the face painting Jim Umber and Aerick, I tried to give Jim Umber a tip for face painting my little brother's face and he wouldn't accept it--what a humble guy.
RSL - FC Dallas Stupor Hoops (R)
07-26-2005, 06:22 PM
