College Soccer Atmosphere

Saturday we went to see the Akron zips mens soccer team play Northern Illinois. The entire stadium was packed (5,000 +) and probably 50% of the people were standing the entire match. Reminiscent of an English match before Hillsborough?

However, the funniest thing I learned was what the student section does in the first half when they are right behind the opposition's goalie. Apparently they go on facebook and twitter and find out as much as they can about the other teams goalie before the match, and then make up chants inserting all of the details they can. It can range from nearly scandalous to the mundane details of Wendy's dog's operation, but either way it has got to be distracting to a young goalie not accustomed to a big crowd let alone a heckling one. I'm loving how the soccer culture is progressing in this country, aspiring to be formidable but with humor and without violence or racism.

 

I'm scheming to get to a Louisville match since they finished runners up to Akron last season. Gonna have to be "creative" since better half is opposed, so, maybe soon. They've lit a fire under sports fans here since last year's run. The crowds have been similar to Akron's, although not sure if they're as industrious as the Zips' student supporters. That's bloody genius! (I wonder if that would work against Petr Cech)?

 

You should go with such a good team in the area, and I'm happy to hear they've lit a fire with the locals. The college games I've seen or watched on TV this year have been played at an absolute break-neck pace. I dont know how they do it; and it's not because they're taking advantage of the subbing rules. Few of the top teams use the number of subs allowed.

As good as Louisville is some of the early tournament games for them should be at home. Those would be good ones to go to.

We're considering getting season tickets for Akron next year. It would be a no brainer except that so many of the games conflict with my boys youth and high school soccer games.