Why I'm a Rapids fan

Jasonma, I've got you in my favorites!!!

 

I live in Denver and am a soccer junkie. What else are my options?

I did go to a couple Revolution games in 1999 when I lived in Boston, but I didn't want to live here and root for them. I grew up in the Bay Area but went away to college the year before MLS started, so my Clash days were always from afar.

 

And since I've been central to this debate:

 

well, since it's going to be asked sooner or later it may as well be right away.






The Rapids have fans?

 

I don't post very often, but those of you who know me, know that I am a passionate soccer fan and lover of the game. Thus...the ONLY reason I follow the Rapids.

Ive been a season ticket holder for 3 years now and follower for more, and can honestly say, the only reason I still have them, is for the love of the game and desire to see it grow.
The product that is "Rapids SC" as a sports franchise/club...sure as HELL isn't worth the $900 or whatever it is Im spending on tickets/year...

Id rather put that towards new skis or something...maybe even paying of some debt...maybe I should think about that???...

 

The chicks.

 

Rapidsman.

 

I like soccer and they're the local team. Simple as that.

 

I grew up in Colorado, plan on moving back after college, and most importantly I'm an optimist.

 

Like what savelints8 said, they were my local team and I love the sport.

I grew as a Red Sox fan and patience paid off, so I am applying that to the Rapids.

 

I'm a soccer nut. I grew up in Tampa where I had season tickets to the Mutiny. When they folded, I started supporting the Rapids because of el Pibe. I moved here 3 years ago and have had season tickets since. I play (when I have time), coach (same), watch (watching Man City v. Sheffield on FanZone right now), read (love 442), wear, and just all-around LOVE THE GAME!

 

Chicks???? I didn't know that the Rapids were involved in farming. Maybe that's why they won't get any DP's for us. They thought DP stood for designated poultry, and they already have plenty. That's why we have Chik-Fil-A as a sponsor. Now I get it. I like Chicks, too!!!

 

Hah, well said.

 

Went to the Rapids first game back in 1996 while I was still in college. I'm a Colorado native, but haven't lived in the state since 2001. I can't bring myself to root for any team other than the Rapids. My first date with my wife was a Rapids game (1997 playoffs vs. KC), our second date was the championship game vs. Dallas (Hendo's all-time Rapids goal for the winner).

Still, I'm a frustrated fan because the team hasn't won. I guess that's ok. I grew up a Broncos fan and lived with the frustration for 20 years before they won a Super Bowl. Sometimes that kind of angst builds character in a fan base, but I never questioned whether the Broncos ownership actually cared. That's the most frustrating thing about being a Rapids fan, wondering how much the organization means to the ownership group, especially an ownership group that has multiple teams in different sports.

But, I'm in this for the long haul. The Rapids will be my team in the MLS for as long as they are in Colorado. The only thing that will vary is the level of effort I expend to follow the team, buy their merchandise, travel to see their games, spend time in this forum, etc... Right now, I don't have a lot of energy or motivation for that.

 

Two reasons:

1. Like others, I live here and am a soccer fan. Naturally, I gravitate to the local team and I think I'll always root for them to be successful. My current dilemma is whether it's worth the ~$1500 for season tickets given the sub-par experience as a fan and no reason thus far to believe that this year will be any different. I can (and do) pay for DirectKick to watch from afar and still feel just fine about "how true fan am I?" -- the Rapids are a business like any other. So they can earn my money or not.

2. The other reason I'm a Rapids fan is that I'm very busy in the off-season. So the complete LACK of updates, signings, and news about the team is nice because it means the Rapids don't have to compete for my attention. Imagine how difficult it might be to keep up if I were a fan of one of those teams actually making some moves this off-season?

Jeff

 

I am from Colorado and I am a sports fan. That's about it. I don't need good players, coaches or a front office doing things a certain way to be a fan. If a team is doing poorly, on the field or off, I am still a fan.

I watched the Rockies play poor baseball for over a decade, and that gave their League Championship all the more meaning. When I was a boy, Denver had the two-time World Champion Denver Broncos, which gives hope in down seasons like their most recent one. If a bad season, or ownership, or coaching, or whatever can affect your fanship, you might be a Rapids fan for the wrong reasons in the first place. Seasons like these make those great moments like the second MLS Cup or the 2006 second leg against Dallas (my favorite Rapids match ever) all the more meaningful. And being a fan of the Rapids gives you an excuse to image crazy pipe dreams like the Rapids winning the Treble (Hey, it could happen, we have a proper Champions League now).

If you like soccer and you're from Colorado, you owe no explanation to anyone for being a Rapids fan.

 

This is very true. Well said.

 

Beer--big cups of $6 domestic beer. One in the first half and one in the second.

People do stupid things when they drink beer, maybe supporting the rapids is one of them.

I like the fact that I am paying $6 for something that costs about 90 cents to provide. I like to think that the extra $5.10 is going to support soccer in the USA.

It is my way of tipping Stan, Fernando, Bouna and Rapids Man, and enjoying one of my favorite drinks--beer.

 

You need to join us in Lot AA for tailgating and get your cup to the keg of Fullers for $0.00.

For that $0.00, it also includes hotdogs - and food that people bring to share.

By time you get into DSG Park - the game is already that much better!

(Of course we would like people to donate $5 for the tailgate to help us cover costs - but that's up to you - and it's still less than one beer.)

Everyone should stop by in 2008 and give it a try - you meet tons of new people that love the game as much as you!!!

 

I am a fan of the Rapids because I am a fan of the game itself. I had been a more casual fan growing up, going to fireworks games or when they had youth team promotions. Living in Birmingham, England during my sophomore year of high school really galvanized my interest in the game. I got to experience the English passion during the World Cup. I also got to see Birmingham City promoted to the Premiership.

Coming back State side I had a new interest and inspiration to support my local team. 2003 was the first year I really followed the Rapids. It was also the first year I had a drivers license, so I could attend games freely without having to beg people for a ride. I tried sitting many different sections around Invesco. Often times when I would really get into the game, people would shoot me looks like I was some kind of alien from another planet.

I finally settled on section 127, where the remnants of the old River Rats still stood. This was what I was looking for...people that cheered and clapped at the right times, people that could actually name more than two players, people that actually cared about the team and the game.

I made some friends and it gradually morphed into the C-Firm, the rowdy British Bulldog going crowd that it is now. The sense of camaraderie is what keeps me coming back. It justifies the passion I have for this club...no matter how sh!tty, brainless, or half-assed the team might seem.

 

That is a big part of your story that I think people don't give enough credit too.

 

I began following the Rapids about a year and a half ago. I usually follow Spurs (who are up against Arsenal @ Wembley ) in the EPL, and as their season ended, the Rapids were getting started.

Plus, not many people know much about the Rapids, so I can tell them whatever I want when they ask me, "So how are the Rapids doing this season?" even though its the offseason.

 

Hmmm, good question....

Why I am a Rapids fan?

I am a Rapids fan because I love soccer. Naturally the Rapids are the first team that comes to mind locally. I attended games as a young tot. Possibly eating those damn Dippin Dots with some youth teams and friends. My family doesn't like the sport, but they encouraged me to keep playing.

As I kept playing I attended more games, becoming a more knowldgeable fan if you will. I alway sat down, unless a goal was scored. But in the last few years my joy for soccer has changed. I have become more of a fan of soccer, reading, studying, and analyzing the game. As I watched the more I began to get into the habit of standing. Of course the big part had to do with the 02 USMNT in Korea. It was an exciting run, and was fun to watch at 3 in the morning.

I never had season tickets at Invesco, never saw it worthy to get tickets at something I went to 9 times a year. Plus I knew only a few people that went. In 05'ish I began to stand more and more. Became more loud and a vocal fan. People got angry because I would get mad at the ref, or would boo an opposing player.

Once we got the DICK it changed. I sat in 129 for the first few games. Wasn't me, too coperate. Saw the passion in section 114, and wanted to experience that. Now that I am part of it, I don't think I will ever leave. If every SG disappears and the fans no longer come, you will still see me. Standing and chanting til I die.....


Rapids til I die......