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The San Diego Flash had their home and season opener last Friday, and it truly was a sight to behold! An announced crowd of 5,103 jammed into Devore stadium at Southwestern College in Chula Vista and were treated to some attacking soccer. The Flash did attack a lot, and the Seattle goalie had to make more than a few saves. In fact, I read the Sounder's web site report on the game, and they gave their 'keeper Man of the Match. I thought we looked good in the midfield, we just couldn't finish. Of course, I've heard that same comment about many MLS teams, as well as about the National Team.
As far as the atmosphere at the stadium, I think everyone left impressed. I got there at 6:00 and manned the THUNDER table we had set up. The Flash front office has been extremely helpful with all our efforts.After a few minutes, some others from the THUNDER came and we handed out flyers. They were actually made up by someone on the Flash staff after we had come up with a design. We talked to several people as time went on. Actually, many people came who were formerly part of the Sockers Booster Club. We invited them all to our next meeting, which will be this Thursday at Giovanni's restaurant, 9355 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, corner of Ruffin Rd., at 7:00PM.
So later, as time went on, we started to see more and more people come into the stadium! It was quite a sight. There was a big line at the ticket window, which indicated a big walk-up crowd. There were big vans and tricks from the local Latino radio stations. There was even a van there giving out free burritos. I didn't get one though. :-(
As game time approached, the stadium was beginning to fill up. I and a couple of other THUNDER club members went over to the press box where one of the Flash staff, Ray Mistarz, had a conga drum that he brought and loaned to us, as well as a HUGE bass drum! I mean, this was HUGE! It was at least four feet in diameter! And it was really heavy to carry! I had a drum stick to use on it, but it really needed a big fat mallet. I'm going to try and find one for Friday.
So we finally get our drums, and we head over to the east side of the field, opposite the press box. We set up at the southeast corner, as near to the goal as we could get. There's no end zone seating at the stadium. The stadium is listed as a maximum capacity of 7,200, but with the 5,103 there, I couldn't see where they could fit another 2,000!
I started banging on that huge drum and yelling for the Flash, and I sure drew a few stares! But after a while, I was able to get a few people to clap together with my drumming. The most success I had was with the basic three count, and a cheer of "Let's Go Flash!" I tried to keep a beat going throughout the game. I increased the tempo as the Flash got closer to the opponents goal. I did a lot of that! While I was on the big drum, I couldn't get anyone to be bold enough to band on the conga drum! After a while though, my friend Mark came and he helped out. He's a Sam's Army guy, and was there at the US Paraguay game. He and I then were the most vocal and boisterous, until the second half. Then others in our section started yelling too, and we were having a great time! Some others began to focus on Seattle Sounder defender Bernie James. He was getting a little physical with our forwards, and I guess someone picked his name out of the program, and was really letting him have it! It was really funny, because Bernie began responding! He threw up his arms, and was waving us on. Well that got more people into it. The seats (er, cement slabs, there were no seats in the whole place, or "terrace seating" as they call it in England,) are very close to the field, and you can hear everything on the field. The highlight was when old Bernie got himself a yellow card! That was great!
I kept up drumming, and almost like the pied piper, I attracted a lot of kids around me. They all wanted a turn to bang on the drums. So I let them. And then I told them all to join our club, and to sit with us every game! I told them to bring any drums or noisemakers they had too! Later, after the game, Mark and I were carrying the drums back to the pressbox, and we were paid several compliments. "Thanks for the drums, guys!" "That was a good idea!" "I'm going to bring by drum/cowbell/banger next game!" Needless to say, Mark and I felt good about that! We would have liked to have a goal, and the chance to go nuts on those drums, but there's always next week!
The crowd was awesome. I'd say there was a good mix of both norteamericanos and hispanohablantes. I did hear a few complaints from people who live in Carlsbad or Poway that it was pretty far to get to, but I think everyone agreed that once there, it was a really nice venue. Before the game, the president of Southwestern College (and candidate for Chula Vista city council) was there to welcome the Flash. Also there was U.S. Congressman Bob Filner, who represents the Chula Vista and surrounding area. He declared "for this area, San Diego Flash day!" (at 7:30 at night, so I guess there wasn't much left of the day! But I was impressed that he was there.) Then, they had an honorary kick off with former Socker Julie Vee, which drew a lot of applause. It was like the Sockers were now giving way to the Flash.
And as far as the pitch size goes, I read on the Seattle web page that they thought it was narrow. I didn't think it was that narrow. There's no track around the field, and the seats are close to the sidelines, so perhaps it seemed narrow. But the Flash web page lists it as 68 yards by 110 yards, which is exactly the same dimensions as the field at Giants stadium in New Jersey.
So all in all it was a great first night. I think the crowd came because of the efforts made to get "free" advertising through the local TV news stations. Last week every local newscast had about a 2 or 3 minute segment in sports about the new team, and all had the local sports reporter kicking balls into the net, and/or acting as a goalie trying to stop shots. They interviewed the coach, Ralf Wilhelms, who sounds like Arnold Schwartzenegger, so that was yet another hook to get the local news interested. Yan Skwara has been working very hard to get the Flash moving, and it's paying off. The only thing left is to make sure we have a quality team on the field that wins some games!
-Eric Bekins-
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