A soccer club is made up of a lot of elements. Between the coaches, the players, the staff and the surrounding pieces, each element is vital to the success of a club both on and off the field. However, probably the most integral element remains the fans. The fans are the heartbeat of the club – the engine that drives a club forward. San Antonio has been fortunate to have fans and supporters that are passionate, educated in the game, loyal and most of all – loud.
The week leading up to San Antonio’s match against New Mexico United has been donned “Supporters Week” by the USL Championship. It is only fitting that SAFC plays a home match at Toyota Field during the aforementioned week, seeing as how a packed Alamo City stadium is as good as any example of passionate fans and supporters in the entire league. San Antonio FC fans’ efforts certainly don’t go unnoticed from the club’s perspective. SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell continues to be amazed at the club support in his fourth year at the helm of SAFC.
“When our fans are in full voice in our stadium, it is the best atmosphere in the USL,” said Powell. “They get behind the team and it creates positive energy. We want to make sure as a club we send everyone in that building home with a smile on their face week in and week out.”
A soccer club is made up of a lot of elements. Between the coaches, the players, the staff and the surrounding pieces, each element is vital to the success of a club both on and off the field. However, probably the most integral element remains the fans. The fans are the heartbeat of the club – the engine that drives a club forward. San Antonio has been fortunate to have fans and supporters that are passionate, educated in the game, loyal and most of all – loud.
The week leading up to San Antonio’s match against New Mexico United has been donned “Supporters Week” by the USL Championship. It is only fitting that SAFC plays a home match at Toyota Field during the aforementioned week, seeing as how a packed Alamo City stadium is as good as any example of passionate fans and supporters in the entire league. San Antonio FC fans’ efforts certainly don’t go unnoticed from the club’s perspective. SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell continues to be amazed at the club support in his fourth year at the helm of SAFC.
“When our fans are in full voice in our stadium, it is the best atmosphere in the USL,” said Powell. “They get behind the team and it creates positive energy. We want to make sure as a club we send everyone in that building home with a smile on their face week in and week out.”
Powell talks about how him and the rest of the club sees themselves and representatives of not only the city of San Antonio, but also the people living there. SAFC started and continues to this day as a community club, always looking to engrain themselves in the local city as each month passes. It doesn’t just start and end with the fans at Toyota Field, but it also includes the local community that SAFC coaches and players interact with as part of community initiatives. Whether it is a visit to a local hospital, a player-hosted soccer clinic, or the club’s Club and Camo initiative, San Antonio FC and the local San Antonio community continued to develop and grow this relationship that makes this all so special.
Match day is where the relationships with the fans and club really reaches a climax. And its not just at Toyota Field. Powell and the SAFC players continued to be awe struck at the traveling support from SAFC fans since the club’s inception in 2016.
“When we are on the road and our fans are there, you always want to try and engage with them personally to get that personal touch,” said Powell. “It’s all very important and it means the world to us.”
Fans have planned entire vacations around the San Antonio FC road schedule, and Powell mentions it never goes unnoticed. It gives the team a lift to see their faces in the crowd on the road, and it is something that continues to be special for staff and players alike, especially in unfamiliar territory.
Whether it is at home or on the road, at Toyota Field or in the local San Antonio community, or on match day or not; SAFC and the soccer community in the Alamo City continues to grow their special relationship. The fans continue to make an impact on and off the field and SAFC expects that to continue with an important match against New Mexico this weekend. Powell knows what to expect from here on out.
“That’s what this club is about,” he said. “It’s about community and connection.”
Powell talks about how him and the rest of the club sees themselves and representatives of not only the city of San Antonio, but also the people living there. SAFC started and continues to this day as a community club, always looking to engrain themselves in the local city as each month passes. It doesn’t just start and end with the fans at Toyota Field, but it also includes the local community that SAFC coaches and players interact with as part of community initiatives. Whether it is a visit to a local hospital, a player-hosted soccer clinic, or the club’s Club and Camo initiative, San Antonio FC and the local San Antonio community continued to develop and grow this relationship that makes this all so special.
Match day is where the relationships with the fans and club really reaches a climax. And its not just at Toyota Field. Powell and the SAFC players continued to be awe struck at the traveling support from SAFC fans since the club’s inception in 2016.
“When we are on the road and our fans are there, you always want to try and engage with them personally to get that personal touch,” said Powell. “It’s all very important and it means the world to us.”
Fans have planned entire vacations around the San Antonio FC road schedule, and Powell mentions it never goes unnoticed. It gives the team a lift to see their faces in the crowd on the road, and it is something that continues to be special for staff and players alike, especially in unfamiliar territory.
Whether it is at home or on the road, at Toyota Field or in the local San Antonio community, or on match day or not; SAFC and the soccer community in the Alamo City continues to grow their special relationship. The fans continue to make an impact on and off the field and SAFC expects that to continue with an important match against New Mexico this weekend. Powell knows what to expect from here on out.
“That’s what this club is about,” he said. “It’s about community and connection.”
