ESPN Soccernet columnist Ives Galarcep weighs in on the problems facing away fans at MLS stadiums. As the league adds more teams and more stadiums, and as fan bases become more solidified, the opportunity arises for large groups of fans to travel together to an opposing stadium, just like they do in Europe. Galarcep argues that MLS teams should make hosting traveling supporters a priority, because away fans form an integral part of the soccer experience.
“There is something artificial about a soccer match without that group of fans sporting different colors, singing different songs and expressing different emotions to the action on the field,” Galarcep says, adding that teams should also care because they want the same courtesies extended to their fans for away matches. And after all, “few things help strengthen the bond between supporters and their club, than the experience of road matches.”
Galarcep argues that the issue of traveling support is as much an issue for the league’s management as it is for each MLS team. What should the league do about the situation involving Section 8, the Chicago Fire’s supporter’s group? Toronto FC recently turned down a recent request for 500 tickets for the Fire’s single trip to BMO Field, offering them 100 tickets instead. The situation is obfuscated somewhat by the fact that Toronto games regularly sell out, but Galarcep says the league needs to step in and establish a policy for creating an away section inside MLS stadiums.