What was your impression of your 1st MLS game? Mine was the Mutiny (in Tampa) Vs. Colorado. I lived far away at the time so it was a couple of hours drive; but I was excited about getting to see a professional soccer game in a country I wasn't born in. I guess there was a lot kids there (which I thought would be good for the future of the league) and when the game started I was appalled by all the stupid jock jams and stuff. People were clapping their hands to the Adams Family theme - it was a joke! especially being European- but I'm sure people on here would feel the same way. But, I still liked MLS and went to every game I could afterward; but we sat in a different locations behind the goal, near the Bat fans. With the negatives I still much more enjoyed going to the game in person, and of course I miss it now. I moved nearer to the team to go to games too. I knew the country had a positive future ahead in the soccer world even if we were contracted.
April 13, 1996 Kansas City Wiz 3 - Colorado Rapids 0 The atmosphere was awesome and I was hooked. I couldn't get enough. The second game was 16 months later! I was forced to watch DCU games on HTS.
First Crew Game ever, 4-0 over DC. I was hooked. I remember being amazed that I was seeing pro soccer in America.
My first too. I remember being impressed with the contrast of the deep green of the grass and the crisp lines on the field, the Brasilian drumers, the way KC looked in the home black and blues with the red "Peru" stripe standing together before the game, and Digital crawling after this goal. Good day!
The Samba band! I remember standing up in the second half and pointing and yelling because the ref didn't call a foul, then suddenly realising that the entire freaking section I was in was doing the exact same thing! 21,000 fans, and the knew the game. It was magical. There was no explaining necessary. This was 21,000 folks who wanted soccer. Ronnie Newman was right, the lettuce people ran them all off.
1st September 2001- DC 5 Tampa Bay 1 Everyone was still in a hangover state from the US loss, so it wasn't as good as it should've been. That match determined who I would support. Thank God for Conteh.
Unfortunatly my first impression of MLS in person was jaded cuz it was right after the T&T qualifier in Foxboro. The Revs goalie let in two horrid goals to the Burn in the 1st half and the difference in level of play between our Nats and the MLS was pathetically obvious. But the MLS actually caught up some over the last season.
Mine was the LA vs SJ match a few weeks ago, haha. I went up from San Diego which was 3 hours away and when I got there the place was packed! I dunno how it looked on TV though. The crowd was loud too. Especially when LA scored a goal! (obviously lol)
that game was classic! rob stone did an excellent job at doing commentary too. i could tell he didnt want Dallas to win either. i also wanted DC to win!
Metrostars vs. crew in 96. The crew won 2-0. Thats when I first realized how woeful the metros draft was. I knew we were in for a long season.
I live in Pittsburgh, pretty far from any team I went to the MLS Cup in 99 i think Fire and Wizards. Sat right behind the fire fans. That sang and light off smoke bombs the entire game. Wizards won 1-0 with amazing performance from Tony Meola.
4/4/98 in Soldier field 36,444 Fire's first home game they beat Tampa bay 2-0. Great atmosphere.Haven't missed a home game since.
Crew vs. Mutiny It was June or July of 1996. We went to the Ohio State Horseshoe to watch the Crew vs. Mutiny. It was a Saturday afternoon game and hot as hell!!! I was really excited to see Valderama play in person. That was the first time I learned he plays a little bit lazy, he's not one to get back and defend. The heat really bothered him and he didn't move around very much. I really hyped him up to my brother and some friends. My brother quickly hated Valderama and began yelling how lazy he was and he didn't do anything. I don't remember who won, but I had a great time and have been back to several games over the years. Usually 4 to 6 games a year, even though I do live about 1 hr and 20 min. from the stadium. I was one of the few people who did show up for MLS Cup 2001 and had a good time. That was my first experience with Chicago Fire Fans and I was very impressed with them. They made the game and experience that much better. However, I was hooked after watching the inaugural game on ESPN and seeing Wynalda score the first ever MLS Goal!!
Very first game in the league, San Jose Clash v. DC United. Ben Freaking Iroha up the left wing to Wynalda, cuts back, scores. Through all the matches I've seen in person: World Cup matches, WCQs for US and Italy, MLS, Serie A, EPL...that was one of the craziest times. The stadium absolutely erupted. I will never forget that night.
July '96-- Wiz at Rapids. The game was kinda sloppy and I wasn't particularly impressed until I realized most of the players were Americans and this was, after all, Year One... Rapids won 4-2... Balboa had a great game. 8,000 or so at Mile High... bought the "Inaugural Season" T-shirt. Even if the novelty wore off from that 1st year, the play, in my opinion, keeps getting better and better.
1st leg of the Interamerican Cup. D.C. vs. Vasco Da Gama at RFK. I was in the 6th grade and I just remember the amazing atmosphere. My second and only other trip to RFK was this year's all star game. That was quite an experience. Unfortunately, I can't get up to see many games because I live 3 hours away and haven't quite gotten my license yet, but when I do, I'll be making the trip as often as possible. I've been hooked on MLS pretty much since MLS Cup 97.
There seems to be a lot of younger MLS fans and when they get a car and their own income, etc., hopefully we will see an even bigger increase in MLS attendance.
1996 with my U14 team. Revs 1-4 Burn. The highlight for me was when Alvarez was ejected. I got season tickets the next year.
I'm saving my money up for that camp that sounds so awesome in Ohio that Friedel and others designed. I'll just borrow my parents' car on Saturdays that I can and go to RFK.
The USOC in Chattanooga TN in 1998, I saw The Fusion play Columbus and the Metros play Tampa. The games were both pretty bad, but I wanted to support the sport in my country and when I moved to Miami a few months later I was hooked.