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DEL.ICIO.USOn top of it all, a win
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Went to the Silverbacks game Saturday night …
… and a traffic jam broke out.
… an intimate, loud atmosphere rang out from the Spaghetti Junction area, and that was before the fireworks.
… the players joyously rattled around the exquisite field pitch turf, with no hint of gridiron lines and a spacious 72 feet wide.
… the home team won!
The Silverbacks hung on for a 3-2 win over the hated Charleston Battery, their first of the season. While the team and the fans were jubilant with the result, the evening was remarkable not only for the near-sellout crowd, but for sheer joy, the realization, that the years of playing in the much-derided DeKalb Memorial Stadium have been rendered, thankfully, to history.
In short, the Silverbacks have given fans a compelling reason to come out, and to come back. The opening of Greater Atlanta Re/Max Stadium at Atlanta Silverbacks Park was a big hit, and the building block for a true gathering place for the local soccer community. Throughout the crowd of nearly 3,000 was a strong mix of young adults, families and the Hispanic community. Spanish media ESPN Deportes and radio station Viva 105.7 were on hand.
Of course, there are problems to be worked out. It took an hour to get from the I-85 exit ramp and through the turnstiles. Game time was pushed back from 7:30 to 8 p.m. to accommodate the turnout. (DeKalb’s finest didn’t look too busy beforehand, as two officers near the opening gates visited with a pretty young thing in very short shorts and Heidi pigtails instead of directing traffic.)
The parking situation is the most noticeable snag, and Silverbacks CEO Stephen Pratten was helping to smooth over that process in the back parking lot. Imagine seeing Arthur Blank when you get off the MARTA station, pointing you toward the Dome! The ticketing machine didn’t work, so everybody was charged $15.
But the atmosphere! No spectator was more than 25 yards from any touchline. A beer tent served up cold Heineken and Tecate (a full tap and bar is slated to open next year). Business was brisk, to say the least.
And many longtime soccer fans turned out after intermittent attendance over the years.
“It’s like a homecoming,” said fan Kurt Braunsroth, aka The Drummer, who’s been banging away since the first year of the Ruckus in 1995. “There are so many people here, all together, that I’ve seen over the years.”
As Off the Ball predicted a few entries back, he was one of the first fans to show up, arriving at 3:45 p.m. for tailgating that’s been a pre-game ritual.
Symbolic of the fan-friendly environment is the special cheering section reserved for Braunsroth and a band of a dozen or so noisy standing fans, mostly young adults. Westside 109 is the name, named after their section of the stands, and they’re launching a website soon. They also include Off the Ball colleagues Horn Guy Uno and Dos, the latter of whom arrived from Spain 48 hours before. Also among their throng was a fellow wearing a red jersey that read: “Damn Dirty Ape 67” and a full head mask.
“What’s his deal?” I asked Dos.
“He likes professional wrestling,” Dos replied.
Well, at least it’s not something else.
The Horn Guys pulled out their long, red plastic horns, and used them generously. Dos, probably showing off his new fan skills acquired in Spain (or just happy with Tecate), blasted point-blank into the eardrums of a Charleston player attempting a throw-in. For a moment there, I wondered if Dos thought he was at Lollapalooza. But the Silverbacks no longer play at the mosh pit that is DeKalb Memorial.
The goals game from Matt Bobo, Jason McLaughlin and captain Rodrigo Rios, who threw his yellow armbands into Westside 109. It was retrieved by Dos, whose favorite player happens to be Rodrigo Rios.
“Welcome to soccer in Atlanta,” roared P.A. announcer Southside Steve.
Yes, indeed. For the first time in a very long time, it sure felt like it.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Nuthead
June 4, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this
No mention of the cowbeller……so sad :( Thanks for the coverage Wendy.
By Michael CM1
June 4, 2006 10:26 PM | Link to this
I got a fever and the only prescription is more Nuthead…I mean cowbell.
Wendy, you got one thing wrong. Memorial wasn’t a mosh pit. It was a Sarlacc Pit. Observe:
“According to lore, the stomach pit of the Sarlacc keeps its prey alive for a thousand years, slowly dissolving its meal into needed nutrients, while the hapless victim is kept alive in searing, endless agony.”
Anybody who saw soccer games there knows this. You could make the same case about Red Bulls games at Giants Stadium. What a horrible team.
Thanks for coming Wendy! Westside109.org is up and mostly working now.
By HornGuy Dos
June 5, 2006 8:46 AM | Link to this
HornGuy Dos? I like that one, I think it’ll stick.
Thanks for everything Wendy, hope to see you at more games this season.
By tbflowers
June 5, 2006 1:14 PM | Link to this
Yay! I was there too. Met Drummer and MikeCM1 during tailgating. Parked in the far corner of the lot and met some Silverback Outlaws.
This really was a dream come true. Our very own soccer specific stadium. The team is in total control of revenue at the arena and I hope it pays off big time for our owners who are willing to give this a serious shot.
The Silverbacks now have their own stadium. They are a leg up on many professional franchises as a result, and leagues ahead due to their financial independence. Many franchises savor the thought of a similar situation.
The best news, despite the miscues on opening night, it was absolutely wonderful and it will only get better!
Go Backs!
By Boris
June 5, 2006 11:36 PM | Link to this
Wendy, Thx for coming to the game and the write up!
Boris