I have attended a number of MLS matches. Not one has been anything like sold out. This one, Real salt Lake vs San Jose Earthquakes was 2/3 full at the start.
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Once people had had their fill of beer and grub people (families with bored kids, specially) started to drift away at half time. By the final whistle, it is possible that up to half had already gone home. Only the Spanish-speaking supporters group stayed to a man (in contrast to the rest of the ground there were few women in the standing section reserved for them).
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It was only the supporters group that made any noise at all. So not surprisingly, perhaps, they announced the score at the end to enlighten the remaining crowd as to what happened on the pitch - not a lot actually - think Dyche plus Benson plus Groves plus Quinn. This was one bit of action, though.
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There was more action
off the pitch with folks who kept shouting food orders, getting up to get food, deliver drinks, kids running around, etc. Apart from the aforementioned Latinx group who had a band, marched into the stadium en masse ...
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... and - at times - made a concerted effort, the atmosphere felt heavy and dull. No wonder then, they had the directed singing of the club
dirge anthem via the screen at the beginning and after each RSL goal (there were two).
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You also get a chance to see yourself on the screen (seemingly, a big thing in US sports).
Note: RIOT refers not to raucous behaviour but the (now former) sponsor of the stadium
RIO Tinto plc
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Apart from the signing of the
funeral march club anthem (which was artificially boosted by a recording from the tannoy system), there were staged directions to wave flags, etc. including this one...
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The real funny thing was that, even at 8pm on a Saturday evening, it was still 26 Celsius and no-one, upon no-one had a scarf. Only a fool would have one in that heat (yes, I did). So, when are we getting this delight at Dean Court?
The orchestrated shows of support were totally alien to me. I would not want to attend this kind of event every other week. Even the Spanish-speaking supporters group seemed as much for the entertainment of the crowd as to increase the atmosphere and boost the team.
The above might be enjoyable for some but, in my opinion, it ruined the attempt at football.
I have to say, to balance things up a little, that I have also watched the women's team play. The standard on the pitch was superior to the men's game and the crowd reacted spontaneously to events on the pitch. People actually came to watch the match!