Southsiders

Ever been to a soccer match and noticed the “supporters section”, full of waving flags and drummers and wild enthusiasm? Last Saturday I went there. And marched in their parade, even. I could claim it was anthropology research. But maybe it’s just old guys wanna have fun. Which I did. Not sure if I will again.

For the rest of this piece, when I say “football” I mean fútbol as in soccer, because that‘s what everyone on the scene says.

Background · MLS (for Major League Soccer) is the top-level football league in North America and, depending on whose ratings you believe, the 9^th or 10^th strongest league in the world. At the moment, the Vancouver Whitecaps are the strongest team in MLS and are ranked #2 in Concacaf which means North and Central America. That may become #1 if they win the win the Champions Cup Final on June 1^st in Mexico City, against #1-ranked Cruz Azul.

Who knows if these good times will last, but for the moment it means they’re kind of a big deal here my home town. I’ve become a fan, because the Whitecaps are fun to watch.

Mind you, the team is for sale and will probably be snapped up by a Yankee billionaire and relocated to Topeka or somewhere.

When I’ve been to Whitecaps games, I’ve always been entertained by the raucous energy coming out of the supporters section. They provide a background roar, shout co-ordinated insults at the other team and referee, have a drum section, and feature a waving forest of flags.

Southsiders · They’re called that because they inhabit the south end of the stadium, behind the goal that the Whitecaps attack in the second half. Check out the Web site.

So, on a manic impulse, I joined up. It didn’t cost much and got me a big-ass scarf with “Vancouver” on one side and “Southsiders” on the other. Which I picked up, along with a shiny new membership card, at Dublin Calling, a perfectly decent sports bar where the membership card gets you a discount. I have to say that the Southsiders people were friendly, efficient, and welcoming.

My son was happy to come along; we got to the bar long enough before The Parade to have a beer and perfectly OK bar food at what, especially with the discount, seemed a fair price. This matters because the food and beer at the stadium is exorbitantly priced slop.

Alternatives · Since I wrote this, I learned that there are actually four different fan clubs. Especially, check out Vancouver Sisters.

The Parade · Forty-five minutes before game time, the fans leave Dublin Calling a couple hundred strong and march to the stadium, chanting dopey chants and singing dopey songs and generally having good clean fun. It’s a family affair.

Note: Kid on Dad’s shoulders. Flags. Spectators, and here’s a thing: When you’re in a loud cheerful parade, everybody smiles at you. Well, except for the drivers stuck at an intersection. Since we’re Canadian we’re polite, so we stop the parade at red lights. Sometimes, anyhow.

Note: Maximal fan. Scarves held aloft (this happens a lot). Blue smoke. Flags in Whitecaps blue and Canada red.

When the parade gets to the stadium, everyone kneels.

After a bit, someone starts a slow quiet chant, then they wind it up and up until everyone explodes to their feet and leaps around madly. That’s all then, time to pile into the stadium.

Which is visually impressive on with the lid open on a sunny day.

Indoor fun · The Southsiders section is General Admission, pick anywhere to stand. And I mean stand, there’s no sitting down while the game’s on. There’s a big flag propped up every half-dozen seats or so you can grab and wave when the spirit moves you. There’s a guy on a podium down at the front, facing the crowd, and he co-ordinates the cheers and songs and… He. Never. Stops.

The Southsiders gleefully howl in joy at every good Whitecaps move and with rage at every adverse whistle, have stylized moves like for example whenever the opposing keeper launches a big goal kick everyone yells “You fat bastard!” No, I don’t know why.

When I shared that I was going to do this crazy thing people wondered if it was safe, would I get vomited on, was there violence, and so on. In the event it was perfectly civilized as long as you don’t mind a lot of noise and shouting. The beer-drinking was steady but I didn’t see anyone who seemed the worse for the wear. If it weren’t for all the colorful obscenity I’d be comfy bringing a kid along.

The crowd is a little whiter than usual for Vancouver, mostly pretty young, male dominated, with a visible gay faction. Nothing special.

Note: Canadian and rainbow flags. Somewhat obstructed view; the flags are out because a goal has just been scored, you can see the smoke from the fireworks. The opposing goal is a long way away.

What’s good: Being right on top of any goals scored at the near end. The surges of shared emotion concerning the action in the game.

What’s bad: Standing all through the game. The action at the other end is too far away. The songs and chants grow wearing after a while.

The game · The Whitecaps won, which was nice. It was pretty close, actually, against a team that shouldn’t be much of a threat. But then, most of Vancouver’s best players were out in healing-from-injury or resting-from-overwork mode. I still think the Whitecaps are substandard at working the ball through the middle of the field, but do well at both ends; At the moment the stats seem to say that they’re on top both at scoring and preventing goals.

Here’s what to do if you’re watching a game: If either Pedro Vite (#45) or Jayden Nelson (#7) get the ball, lean in and focus. Both those guys are lightning in a bottle. I’ve enjoyed watching this team more than any other Vancouver sports franchise ever. It probably can’t last.

Will I do the Southsiders section again? Maybe. I suspect I’ll enjoy their energy and edge just as much even when I’m not in the section, plus I’ll get to sit down. We’ll see.

My son and I had fun. No regrets.

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