Stadium Experiences
First MLS Experience: D.C. United RFK Stadium
Entering my sixth year living in the United States, I have definitely taken advantage of learning the rules as well as developing a deep interest for the most popular American based sports: gridiron football, baseball and basketball. Especially after attending a big sport-oriented college like Pennsylvania State University, I made sure that I could at [...]
SWOL Arsenal Month: The Story of My Final Farewell to Highbury
No matter where I lived, Arsenal’s stadium at Highbury was always my second home; the place where I learned lessons that would stand me in good stead in later life. This was my cathedral, and within it I developed a faith of sorts. The news that we were moving to a new stadium just across [...]
Stadium Experiences: Azadi Stadium - The Lions Den
As an Iranian-American born and raised in the United States, I have managed to hold on to a few deeply rooted Iranian cultural traits, most notably, my love for Iranian Football. Some would call me crazy for flying to Tehran from Washington, DC for only three days to watch Iran play Korea in a crucial [...]
Borussia Dortmund Fans Pull Ultimate Prank and Turn Allianz Arena into Signal Iduna Park
Prank: (noun) - a mischevious act or practical joke The above definition doesn’t even begin to describe what Borussia Dortmund fans did to one of their biggest rivals last week. Bold, brave, and bright-eyed, several Dortmund fans apparently broke into Bayern Munich’s stadium, vandalized a box with their beloved club’s logo, then executed the unthinkable. [...]
Walking Alone: The Absence Of Anfield’s Atmosphere
It’s not like the old days. From roar to whimper, joy to tension and courage to cynicism; Anfield and its faithful have evolved, regressed and disappointed when it comes to producing their heralded atmosphere in recent years. Where once it pushed Liverpool teams over the line, sucking the ball into the net as it swayed [...]
Stadium Experience: An American Journey to Juventus Stadium
When I received the news that I’d be attending the Juventus-Napoli match in Turin a few months before the fixture, my heart started pounding and my palms began to sweat like a high school freshman being asked out by the prom queen. In my 15 years of being a Juventus supporter, I’ve seen my team [...]
Stadium Experiences: Livestrong Sporting Park raising the bar for MLS and the football specific stadiums around the world
When Major League Soccer was founded in 1996, many skeptics doubted its future arguing that there was no room for professional soccer in the United States. At that time, many of these new teams played in giant NFL stadiums as a result the atmosphere at games suffered because even with a decent crowd of 20,000, [...]
A tour of Signal Iduna Park, home of German champions Borussia Dortmund
Opened April 2, 1974, the Westfalenstadion is the magnificent home of Borussia Dortmund and is Germany’s biggest stadium. Also named Signal Iduna Park, as part of a sponsorship agreement through 2021, it is commonly referred to as Westfalenstadion by those familiar with European football. The concept of the Westfalenstadion dates back to Dortmund’s 1966 Cup [...]
The Lowry Lowdown: A Scandalous Portland Timbers Story
We all had reason to celebrate after the Portland Timber’s first MLS home game last season at Jeld-WEN field. The win was a first ever MLS franchise victory and home opening win against my former team the Chicago Fire. It was a momentis occasion for the organization and soccer in Portland. The day after the [...]
Stadio San Paolo: Naples’ Shrine to the World’s Greatest Game
The Stadio San Paolo is a source of pride among the locals in Naples, Italy as it has always been an impressive ground for the sport of football in a city that has seen its share of ups and downs. Opened in 1959 in advance of the 1960 Olympics it was then known as Stadio [...]
Stadium Experience: Hampden Park, Scotland’s Colosseum of Football
Often overlooked as one of the world’s great venues, Scotland’s Hampden Park boasts a history that is both impressive and unique. Built in 1903, the current Hampden Park is actually the incarnation of the stadium with the same name. For 47 years, the Glasgow venue was actually the largest stadium in the world until the [...]
Stadium Experiences: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City’s Hallowed Ground
It’s history is legendary. It’s size is remarkable. It’s intimidating nature makes it one of the most difficult places to play in the entire world. There is simply nothing like it. We are talking about Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium and its unparalleled history. The Azteca is the only venue to ever host two World Cup [...]
Stadium Experiences: The Emirates
Not every Arsenal fan will get the chance to visit London and specifically The Emirates Stadium in their lifetime. For those lucky enough to have visited Arsenal’s new home, we salute you. For those of you that may never get the chance to see your favorite team in action at home, we’ve put together a [...]
Rinat Akhmetov: Richest owner in football
Every year Forbes releases its annual list of the world’s billionaires. Many of the people on the list of the rich and famous enjoy many luxuries including private jets, cars, yachts and lavish homes. Some of the richest go a bit further than thrilling toys; they pursue a true passion…sports. If you’re a big enough [...]
Fan Focus: Seattle Sounders FC and their Amazing Culture
Whether or not the standard of football in Major League Soccer is improving is a topic of debate that American soccer fans across the country will discuss for years to come. Signings like Robbie Keane, Thierry Henry, David Beckham, Tim Cahill, Alessandro Nesta, and other excellent players that have traded their top football leagues around [...]
The Lowry Lowdown: An Ex-Player’s Perspective on Playing in Portland
So Brad Evans thinks Portland TImbers fans are a bunch of drunk 30 somethings that get wild and yell at games. Doesn’t sound like a bad thing to me. It sounds like a fun place to play a game. My guess is Brad wouldn’t mind playing for fans like this rowdy bunch. A loud, passionate, [...]
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