The Section 20 Report: 04/17/10 Austin Aztex

Ok, anyone who’s a fan of The 13 Blog knows that I like to name my recurring posts.  So, allow me to introduce you to the first in the series, The Section 20 Report.  Each home match, I’ll have something about the fans, some snaps from my BlackBerry and  hopefully a video of some of the chants.  My apologies for the quality of the photos.  Due to the rowdiness of Section 20, I cannot and will not bring a full on camera, but I’ve done my level best to improve the quality of the photos, but I’m not the greatest photo editor in the world.

The United Knights, Eads Bridgade, and the Day Pints all team up to make it an exciting atmosphere, and if you’re only watching the stream, or on the other side of the pitch, allow me to show you an inside look at our total nuttery.

So, without further delay, let’s get it on!

This week’s post will be a photo essay, there are a goodly number of snaps, so I won’t be saying much about each one.

Season ticket holder scarf.

The match day started for me when I stopped by AB Soccer park to get my season tickets.  I was also given my very own Inaugural Season Ticket Holder scarf.  I wore it proudly.

Getting confetti poppers.

Next off to Party City to get some confetti poppers. I learned we need larger ones though, much larger.

Scotch Eggs

My pregame meal.  I mean, I had to have the energy to bring it didn’t I?  Only problem was that I was hung over and it hurt to yell..I was hoping a slinger, then scotch eggs, then some more beer would fix it, but alas nope.

Mmm..beer.

Well, we have to tie a couple on before getting to the game don’t we? Anheuser Busch Soccer Park only has AB products…so we have a couple good ones then drink the Budweiser Pints.

Eads Brigade Pregame Tailgate.

Here’s a couple of us enjoying free cans of Bud Light at our complimentary, supporters group tailgate tent.  THANKS AC-ST.LOUIS!!

Eads Brigaders!

Here’s a goodly portion of the Eads Brigade, well at least those who were early enough to acquire some free beer.

Eads Brigade

Many folks were proudly wearing their season ticket holder scarves along with their supporters group’s scarf. (Sidenote, if you read this and you attend the matches, you should wear a scarf.)

The United Knights

The United Knights were in full force, and have perhaps the best Supporters Group scarves!

Smoke bombs.

The match is underway, and the smoke has started.

The United Knights’ drummer.

Here we have the drummer for the Knights. At this match there were no less than four drummers and one cowbell player. (For the first half, the cowbell player was me!)

Smoke!

There were less smoke bombs this time, but look at how it just hangs in the air.

Green and Yellow!

This time the United Knights brought green and yellow smoke bombs. How cool is that!

Smoke in the air…

There may not have been as many, but we could see the game a little more clearly this week.

The lead chanter.

The Knights had one of their guys in the front with a bullhorn. He’d start their chants, and sometimes play police sirens. Totally awesome.

Dmelsh smokin’ it down.

After a few chants of “WE WANT SMOKE” by us in Eads Brigade, the Knights started throwing us smoke bombs.

Full house.

It was a packed house to watch our boys.  It was glorious.  Though it did seem that most of the crowd action was in our section.

More smoke on the pitch.

Please indulge me.  I love the smoke bombs.  My wife asked me about them. She said, you can’t see the game when they go off.  Why do you like them so much?

The boys coming to see us.

For the first time in a league match, they came to thank us for our support after the game.

Good kids.

I know it’s a nothing gesture, as in, it takes nothing to do it, but I’m glad to see them coming and thanking us and all the fans in the corner as they exit.

The aftermath…

Now, let me get this off of my chest:

Section 20 is where the rowdies sit.  I know they’re the cheapest tickets and I know it sounds like a better deal to take your children, especially if they don’t know if they like soccer, but I’d really recommend spending the $3 more per ticket to sit in the club section or perhaps in section 8 on the other side of the pitch.  There’s a lot more going on in this section than in most….just trust me on this one.

If you enjoy these posts, please visit The 13 Blog as well for more of my musings.