Even though 2010 will be here relatively soon, it's still much too long for the soccer fanatics in the Philadelphia area to wait before attending Major League Soccer games.
About 250 Philadelphia-area fans traveled to Washington, D.C., to watch D.C. United play the Colorado Rapids at RFK Stadium. It wasn't just the on-field action they were interested in, either. It was also the entire MLS experience.
The more than 4,500 "Founding Members," who already hold MLS Philadelphia seat deposits for the 2010 season at the 18,500-seat stadium to be built along the historic Chester waterfront, received VIP treatment. The fans enjoyed a pregame barbecue and tailgate in the stadium parking lost hosted by the Philadelphia ownership group.
The enthusiastic Philadelphia fans also enjoyed the game from several sections.
Especially the Sons of Ben.
This supporters group, which had about 1,600 members when the expansion team was awarded at the end of February, now features more than 3,200. Over 100 made the trip on Saturday.
Bryan James, the club's co-founder and president, remains in awe of what lies ahead.
"I've said it before and it's still true," James said. "This is a dream come true for me. To know the franchise will be here in two years is a dream."
The Screaming Eagles, D.C. United's fan supporters group, could clearly be heard from the beginning of the game to the very end. But the Sons of Ben did its best to be heard, too.
Even at the tailgate, Sons of Ben chants resonated throughout the parking lot. It continued throughout the game.
"Who are they?" one D.C. United fan asked.
"We'll drown them out," another fan said.
With such a large following, this was a glimpse into what the Sons of Ben will be able to accomplish when the 2010 season gets underway.
Ironically, James was a fan of D.C. United when MLS made its debut in 1996. Not anymore.
"We're all Philly fans now," James said. "We may have fans of D.C. United or the [New York] Red Bulls or other teams but not now. This is our team and it's a dream come true. I think the members of our fan club understand soccer and understand the league. Now, we'll all be rooting for our team. We'll know the great rivalries and what to look for."
The Philadelphia-area fans will be looking to cheer for their very own team. They won't have to take a bus ride down I-95, unless it's for a Philadelphia road game at D.C. United.
This is likely the first of many fan initiatives between now and 2010.
"I hope so," said one fan from south Jersey, who lives in the D.C. area. "I have family in the Philadelphia area and I've heard how much excitement has been generated by the MLS team. I'm definitely going to go the new stadium and cheer for the new team. I love soccer and that's why I go to the games here. To travel and see games at a brand new stadium will be unbelievable."
Believe it. About 250 Philadelphia fans making the trek on a Saturday night toward the end of summer is definitely enough proof.
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