FC Dallas crowd shows its fan muscle

Saturday, I was given the opportunity to be on the field at my first major sports event ― even though it may not be so major to some people.

I was able to attend the FC Dallas vs. LA Galaxy Major League Soccer match. I know, many people, even soccer fans, will scoff at my excitement.

But the fact is, if you can go to one of their games ― do it. I can tell you, it looks, feels, sounds, and smells like a big time event. Well, from where I was standing, it mostly smelled like beer and sounded like fans singing, but you catch my drift.

After a small snafu at the will call window, I grabbed my press pass and some tickets for a couple of friends, and made my way down to the field.

Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas is the home stadium for FC Dallas. It's a mid-size venue in MLS, but is one of the true soccer-specific stadia in the league (which is a big deal since the league has a goal of getting a stadium specific for all of their 19 teams). Its size also gives the advantage that there's not really a bad seat in the house. Combine that with everyone involved with the operation, from ushers to their photographers, being professional and courteous, and it is a great place to catch the highest level of soccer you will see in the country.

I got behind the goal in the north end of the stadium right before kickoff to find the stadium was almost to capacity. And when you have perfect weather ― 70 degrees, slight wind, nary a cloud in the sky ― and the league's premier team coming to visit, it's easy to see why.

Most press folks who aren't photographers go to the press box because it's easier to see the entire field, you can sit down, you can type easily, and there's free food. But I wanted to be amongst the real fans ― the Dallas Beer Guardians.

This hardcore supporters group is the one that is full of life. A drum line, chant/song leaders, and hundreds of scarf-wielding, jersey wearing young adults let loose in the north end of the stadium.

They cheer constantly, sing their hearts out, mercilessly taunt the opposition, and give some much needed humor to what can, at times, be a tedious sport.

The game itself was low-scoring, Dallas won 1-0, but highly entertaining affair. It was everything you could expect from a matchup between number one in the western division hosting number three and the league's defending champions. In 90 minutes, fans were treated to an up and down game with a couple of disallowed goals, two saved penalty kicks, and a Galaxy player being red carded and sent to the locker room early, before a late headed goal won the game. Cue rapture in the beer garden.

And then it happened.

As the George John, the goalscorer and hero on the day, ran off to celebrate, an errant beer flew from the stand and pegged him ride on the temple. He may be a large man, but he is no match for a well thrown missile of alcohol. He spent several minutes on the turf and had to leave the game to receive five stitches.

But either it's expected or the team is just happy for the die hard fans, because John said after the game, “Yeah, they can get a little crazy sometimes.” You think so?

If that can't dampen the proceedings, what can? Nothing I suppose, and why should it? Dallas had won. And I realized that maybe, just maybe, the Beer Guardians and rest of the crowd had swung me from an unbiased journalist to a crazed fan.

If they can do that, look out America. Soccer is on its way.

As we made our way back to the car with chants still going on all around us and horns bleating in the background, all I could think about was getting home and how I would miss this. Anyone else miss the Mudbugs and BattleWings?