March to the match
The Warm Up
Picture the scene as we geared up for our first match against any team at home, let alone one that may potentially become one of our greatest rivals, Spokane’s FC Velocity. The whole day was a fevered dream for sure; from setting up the Tifo, to watching the first goal at home happen within 50 feet of us and seeing something a decade in the making come to fruition. It all seemed to flash by at an incredible speed. This wonderful idea, Professional Soccer in the Treasure Valley, blows my mind. I have long followed Ipswich and Arsenal in the Premier League and have wondered what kind of legends America could produce if we had more opportunities for our own youth. Here we are, with even our small corner of the Rockies getting an opportunity on the fields of glory.
April 4th, 2026, at the precipice of a new era in competitive soccer for the entire state of Idaho. A growing disposition to create a more centralized identity and community around a team that has not one, but two hometown legends in their first year. You cannot make this stuff up. To think that we sold out the stands on that first game is insanity!
The River Guard started the day at Brown Beard Brewing, sipping on the Guardian Lager, brewed by members with the guidance of the expert brewer of the business itself. We mingled and made new friends. We talked about the future and the game to come, as well as how excited we were to be a part of it. I heard all sorts of chatter, and the energy was infectious! People who were strangers an hour before bonded over their love of soccer and support for AC Boise. The River Guard; what a great name for an amazing supporters club.
As for the events of the day, around 3:30 PM, a group of us (6) loaded up the TIFO that took other dedicated members what seemed like months to design and make, and brought it to the main stands. With kickoff being at 7 PM, we felt the excitement at the stadium even before the gates were opened. Not to mention the work put in by Erin Tetreault and our TIFO team. Watching the employees and volunteers mill about was a great behind-the-scenes bustle. Eventually, we taped a few song sheets to strategic locations around the stadium and got ourselves back to the kickoff location for our banner march.
As we came closer to go time, we had Ryan Prichett leading the charge with a megaphone and almost too much energy. It was crazy to see someone so passionate moving something forward that he and a few others started almost a year ago. At this point, it was about 5:45, and we all (110 or more of us) gathered for the inaugural march to the stands, bringing the heat with multiple drummers like our friend and member Johnathan Canteros, keeping us in rhythm as we moved down the street.
The March to the Match
As for me, I was flying high on adrenaline, knowing we were making history. Front and center, I had the momentous honor of leading our very first march, something I will not likely soon forget. We cut a path down Chinden toward East 52nd Ave, where we took over the entire street. Sorry to those trying to get to the game, but also congratulations on being a part of the River Guard’s march! We hooked a left on N Sawyer Ave, belting our chants to get us hyped for the game. We had a few passersby honk at us, and some even joined us as we were walking. Then we hooked a left onto N Kent Lane, and we got even louder as the stadium came into sight. My heart nearly leapt out of my chest. A USL League One team in our own home of the Treasure Valley. This is when it became as real as it gets. As we got into the dirt parking lot, I realized our banner was too big to push through the gate, so we wrapped it up and got ready to head into the stands for the game.
Before the match, there was a bustle of energy, and we were feeling good. We ended up handing out around 500 printed song and chant cards to anyone who walked by. We were determined to let the team know that the River Guard had our hometown team, AC Boise’s, back. It was a rush to begin the drums after the singing of the national anthems. Surreal is what it looked like when looking back at it. It was nice to know that we were welcomed and trusted, though the club was not entirely sure what our independent supporters were up to.
worth the wait
As the match mesmerized those of us in the supporters’ section, we found that we were absolutely enthralled with every intense push and missed shot. In my mind, the shot that our number 7, Blake Bodily, took and barely missed was a bated-breath moment. For sure, that was going to take us to victory.
Still, a tie off what looked like a saved penalty kick was amazing. The drums were going, and our voices were getting hoarse; we were on a whole higher level. Many of us have been waiting years for this. Others, like me, saw the initial announcement about a year ago and did everything we could to get involved. One thing is for certain: the excitement is still growing even after the first match. TAKE ME BACK. VAMOS BOISE!
Written By: Luke Fecteau, River Guard Member
