It didn't matter that they were at Bryant University instead of the yet-to-be-completed Tidewater Landing Stadium. For sports fans, the sold-out season opener for Rhode Island's first professional soccer team was reason enough to celebrate.
“This is a great day for professional sports in Rhode Island,” said Jay Shotter of Lincoln, one of the thousands who attended Rhode Island FC's first game on Saturday. “It’s exciting to be a part of that.”
Like many other local Rhode Islanders in attendance, Shotter said he felt it was especially important to support his hometown team after the loss to the Pawtucket Red Sox. He bought season tickets to Rhode Island FC games because he wanted “something with a hometown feel,” he said.
Colorful and enthusiastic tailgate scene
He wasn't alone. Hours before the game against New Mexico United, the parking lot at Bryant's Byan Stadium was filled with enthusiastic tailgating fans, many wearing the team's iconic navy and yellow jerseys and scarves. I was wearing it. The sunshine and relatively warm temperatures near 60 degrees added to the celebratory mood.
A casual game of pickup soccer broke out between kids and adults as smoke from barbecue grills filled the air and music played from portable speakers. An eccentrically dressed marching band featuring baton twirlers, spinning dancers and larger-than-life fluffy magenta dolls snaked their way through rows of parked cars.
Paula and Karl Hardman of Johnston, who set up a picnic table with strawberries and wine, said they traveled to Germany on vacation last year and saw first-hand the popularity of soccer in Europe. They said they always enjoy going to their children's soccer games and hope the sport becomes just as popular here.
“We're sold out today, so we hope we can keep this momentum going,” Paula said.
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Wide fan cross section
The crowd milling around the parking lot represented a true cross-section of the state: an elderly sports fan in a wheelchair, a Bryant student taking a break from homework, and even a nun.
Jason Tamblyn pointed out that Rhode Island is one of the most-watched regions for Premier League soccer games. He was among members of the Rhode Island Gooners, a local group made up of fans of England's Arsenal FC, who gathered under a pop-up tent decorated with Rhode Island FC and Arsenal flags.
The group usually gathers at Hope Street Pizza to watch Arsenal games. A few weeks ago, Rhode Island FC “reached out to me and wanted me to come and enjoy their home opener,” Tamblyn said.
“Football fans from all over the world, we have come to support our new local club,” said Eric Hansson, who joined the Arsenal fans despite being a fan of rival club Leicester City. Ta.
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Andy White, who organized the meet-up, said he thinks the popularity of youth soccer is helping to increase interest in professional soccer. Although he and other local fans often drive to New England Revolution games in Foxboro, “this is even more exciting for us because it's even more local,” he said. said. It's home. ”
Was he disappointed to watch Rhode Island FC's first game at Bryant's Smithfield campus instead of the new Tidewater Landing Stadium?
“It doesn't really matter,” he said. “I think we're just happy to get out of here. Wherever it was, we were going to go.”
