Real fans loyal to their Salt Lake team

[Deuce]

Real fans loyal to their Salt Lake team
By Dawn Jones
SLC Globe

The home team crowd of 20 thousand fans cheered the Real Salt Lake to an enormous 3-0 win at Rice-Eccles Stadium on July 23. The Real haven't been known for their abilities to make goals and win games this year but fans haven't seemed to notice as they stream into the stadium every home game. It also seems that the fan's persistence and loyalty to their team is about to pay off as the Real finally start to play as a team and make some fantastic goals. And the fans...well they're loving it.

Every home game, without fail, these same fans pour into the stadium wearing their red, Real, and blue. There is no questioning their loyalty. Every game, even after a two month loosing streak, the stadium fills with an overwhelming energy. But if you ask anybody in this stadium where most of that energy is coming from they'll smile, point to the Northeast corner goal and reply, "The Loyalists."

If you've never been to a Real game and unknowingly get seats near the Loyalist section then you are in for a surprise. These fans aren't just fans, they are the ultimate fans and have paid dues to get into the team's official fan club. With these dues, they get to wear the coveted Loyalist shirts and jersey. They are also allowed to come into the Loyalist section every game and cheer, chant, and sing to their beloved team endlessly. And when I say endlessly, I mean endlessly. If you're not ready for this noise it is a shocker.

First time viewers are usually in awe. The passion of these people is overwhelming and powerful. Not only do they bring their drums, flags, and face paint, but their newborn babies and grandparents as well. This section is all about family and friends and as they gather together every game this section becomes intoxicated with energy. This energy begins to build as the players warm up and then explodes as the team's starting line up is announced.

The question, "Are they going to be doing this all night," is often said by an annoyed person only a few minutes into the game. Those who hear the question can only smile and nod. These fans are serious and only stop their cheering during half time. If you want a nice pleasant evening to sit back, relax and watch the game then a seat anywhere near section 31 isn't the place for you.

Section 31 is a high impact area where only stand on your feet screamers are allowed. In this section nobody likes a party pooper and if you're not on your feet then you're not having the maximum amount of fun.

With only seven home games left this season there's not many chances to see this spirited group in action. If you do make it up to Rice-Eccles Stadium this season for a Real game, then take a look for the Loyalists. They won't be hard to find.

[Stucki]

Originally Posted by Deuce

Real fans loyal to their Salt Lake team
By Dawn Jones
SLC Globe

The home team crowd of 20 thousand fans cheered the Real Salt Lake to an enormous 3-0 win at Rice-Eccles Stadium on July 23. The Real haven't been known for their abilities to make goals and win games this year but fans haven't seemed to notice as they stream into the stadium every home game. It also seems that the fan's persistence and loyalty to their team is about to pay off as the Real finally start to play as a team and make some fantastic goals. And the fans...well they're loving it.

Every home game, without fail, these same fans pour into the stadium wearing their red, Real, and blue. There is no questioning their loyalty. Every game, even after a two month loosing streak, the stadium fills with an overwhelming energy. But if you ask anybody in this stadium where most of that energy is coming from they'll smile, point to the Northeast corner goal and reply, "The Loyalists."

If you've never been to a Real game and unknowingly get seats near the Loyalist section then you are in for a surprise. These fans aren't just fans, they are the ultimate fans and have paid dues to get into the team's official fan club. With these dues, they get to wear the coveted Loyalist shirts and jersey. They are also allowed to come into the Loyalist section every game and cheer, chant, and sing to their beloved team endlessly. And when I say endlessly, I mean endlessly. If you're not ready for this noise it is a shocker.

First time viewers are usually in awe. The passion of these people is overwhelming and powerful. Not only do they bring their drums, flags, and face paint, but their newborn babies and grandparents as well. This section is all about family and friends and as they gather together every game this section becomes intoxicated with energy. This energy begins to build as the players warm up and then explodes as the team's starting line up is announced.

The question, "Are they going to be doing this all night," is often said by an annoyed person only a few minutes into the game. Those who hear the question can only smile and nod. These fans are serious and only stop their cheering during half time. If you want a nice pleasant evening to sit back, relax and watch the game then a seat anywhere near section 31 isn't the place for you.

Section 31 is a high impact area where only stand on your feet screamers are allowed. In this section nobody likes a party pooper and if you're not on your feet then you're not having the maximum amount of fun.

With only seven home games left this season there's not many chances to see this spirited group in action. If you do make it up to Rice-Eccles Stadium this season for a Real game, then take a look for the Loyalists. They won't be hard to find.

I hope we have a few more join us after reading this.

[fuegote]

even after a two month loosing streak

can anyone explain what a loosing streak is?

[montgjules]

There were definitely a few mistakes in the article, and I think "Loyalists" in this case is meant to mean "The Corner" as I've so lovingly dubbed Loyalists + RCB + Jesters.

Mistakes notwithstanding, outstanding article!

[Aerick]

This is my favorite part:

"Not only do they bring their drums, flags, and face paint, but their newborn babies and grandparents as well."

🙂

[Merrill]

Originally Posted by fuegote

can anyone explain what a loosing streak is?

And what is the coveted Loyalist jersey? And how do you wear that while wearing the coveted shirt? And when did we become the official team fan club? And what I most want to know is...who is THE Real? She mentions them more than once...

[Hermey]

Originally Posted by Merrill

And what I most want to know is...who is THE Real? She mentions them more than once...

I think she comes from the journalist school that teaches its students that sports leagues and teams names must be preceded by a definite article (the Real, the MLS). Perhaps in a related development, the hotel the Rover family is staying at has an advertisement of sorts for a team called Salt Lake Real.

[Jim Umber]

Originally Posted by fuegote

can anyone explain what a loosing streak is?

That's where you set hundreds of LOYAL fans loose in the northeast corner of the stadium to cheer, sing, chant, bounce, and generally make noise and have fun whether their favorite team is winning or not!