This post was written by Ellie Gaudin, a researcher and producer for It’s Called Soccer.
With the World Cup well underway, soccer once again finds itself placed upon the world stage gaining the attention of individuals all around the globe. For many, they can think back and remember all of the previous World Cup tournaments and discuss the fond memories they formed while watching the World Cup in the past. But that is not the case for me, and many others who have recently discovered the talent on the US Men’s National Team. For me, this is my very first World Cup, as well as my second or third year as a soccer fan. And, with the World Cup in full swing, I find myself reflecting on my journey to becoming the soccer fan that I am today.
In 2020, when the world was sent into quarantine, I found myself quarantining in the same house as my older brother. For any who know us, they understand that we have always been very close. But, during that time, I found that my brother and I had started to grow apart. We often struggled to find something to talk about when together, and that made me incredibly uncomfortable. So, I made it my mission to find something we could bond over.
At the time, nothing was really happening, except the Premier League. I had always known that my older brother loved soccer, but, before then, I had been incredibly unwilling to engage with sports and learn anything about his passion for soccer. Yet, for the sake of finding some kind of common ground with my brother, I put aside my distaste for sports and started to watch with him.
The first thing that drew me into soccer was Christian Pulisic. I am sure so many of us can think back to a player that inspired our love of the great game, and for me that player was the young soccer phenom from Hersey, PA. What amazed me about Pulisic was just the fact that he was a successful player for the United States. In my mind, soccer was not a sport that Americans were good at and could be successful playing. But, there before my eyes was a successful, and fun to watch US player making it big in England. Slowly, I started to watch regularly with my brother, and when I wasn’t watching I was trying to learn more about soccer.
That was when I started my soccer journey. My older brother and I would talk for hours about players in Italy and Germany and Turkey and even the MLS. But, I don’t think I truly understood what it was to be a soccer fan until I went to my first US Soccer game in September of 2021.
The game was happening in Nashville, TN and I was beyond ecstatic to go to my first soccer game with the American Outlaws. My older brother was planning on drumming in the section and I was planning on meeting as many other soccer fans as possible. What I did not expect though was the atmosphere and community that I found when I first met the Outlaws. Immediately I was welcomed by everyone that I met. And then we entered the stadium and I don’t know if I can describe the supporter’s section. It was loud and chaotic, but it was also so full of joy and excitement. Immediately I fell in love with the chanting and music and the togetherness that I found and I knew that I could never find anything like it anywhere else.
I looked everywhere for that same atmosphere. I struggled immensely to find that outlet again until this past summer when my older brother started pushing me to go to our local NISA team’s games. I was hesitant at first because I was scared that it would not be the same thing as my experience in Nashville. But, I decided that I should try it and see if I liked the supporter’s group. At my first game, I sat in the drum section of the supporter’s group and tried my hardest to stay on beat while I watched the game and took in everything happening around me. I had definitely found something special, not exactly like in Nashville, but incredible nonetheless. And what amazed me even more was the person leading the section in chants and cheers (a position I later learned was called a capo). I was blown away and immediately asked my brother how I could help or join along with the chanting.
That evening, my older brother introduced me to my local club’s capo and I asked if there was a way that I could try to help on the stand in front of the crowd and assist with hyping up the crowd and the section. He invited me to learn from him and try my hand at leading the crowd at the next game. So, at the next game, I did just that and I cannot describe the feeling I had seeing a crowd of people I had only just met welcome me and chant and cheer with me. It was magical. And it led to the single greatest community that I have ever met.
Ever since I became a soccer fan, I have found that anytime I need a community or friends I can find them at a soccer match or a watch party. And that has continued to hold true throughout the 2022 World Cup. I have met so many incredible people and bonded over so many amazing moments, forming incredible connections that I would have never imagined 3 years ago. For me, the World Cup is more than just a collection of games and watch parties are more than just a social event. Those games and watch parties are a chance for me to make more soccer memories with a community that means the world to me. As the Yanks continue onward, I look forward to continuing to cheer them on in this and many World Cups to come. When the Yanks go marching in I truly wish to be in that number because that is where I have found my home.