More than a fan

My Journey to being a die hard soccer fan

I didn’t grow up as a traditional soccer fan.  I, like many Americans, only knew soccer existed when the World Cup came around.  My first introduction to the wonderful world of being a soccer fan came in 2003 when my childhood home announced they were starting up a USL1 team.  I was just excited that my little town was getting a professional team in any sport, so I started reading everything I could on the subject and becoming a fan.  

Fast forward to late 2024 and I heard the announcement that Boise was getting a Pro Soccer team and I was stoked.  I noticed it was in the same league as my childhood home, and I’d get to see my past and present meet on the pitch made me feel all warm inside.  I began the immediate dive into everything that was to become AC Boise, reading anything I could find on the stadium, future expansions, and what would be their identity.  To say I was hooked from the first announcement is an understatement.  Unfortunately for me, Texoma FC self-relegated to a lower league and my dream of seeing my old home vs my new home ended.

Becoming a supporter

I still lacked a real understanding of the game but knew I would be a season ticket holder from the start.  Once they announced season tickets would begin and deposits were being taken, I was one of the first 250 to stake my claim.  I received my email for my timeslot later and I waited impatiently.  Then came the day of the tickets going on sale and I found myself at the airport unable to figure out how to buy my tickets and getting ever more frustrated as calls and DMs went unanswered.  I had given up. A week later, I received a call asking if I was still interested in getting my season tickets.  The seats I had planned from the start were sold but I looked through my options.  I planned on the VIP so I could get the free parking but then I saw the supporter’s section and I asked what that was all about and decided to purchase enough tickets in the section for my family.

I spent that first night learning everything about supporters and what they do during a match.  I knew quickly I had lucked into the section for me all because I missed my first ticket window.  During my search I found that there was a team supporter’s group starting up and they happened to be meeting during a time I was going to be home and I’d be able to attend.  That first night I met Ryan and knew I was all in for the adventure that was to begin.  I have been to hundreds of sporting events growing up mostly baseball games and nothing I had been to had come close to what I was feeling, the experience of being a part of a supporters group.  

A new Kind of family

Over the next few months I spent countless hours watching videos and learning what being a supporter means.  With each video I knew I had found what I have always wanted when it came to being a fan and watching games.  I find myself getting involved in any aspect I can with so much more desire to be with The River Guard in the years to come.  All of the members have started to feel more like friends and family, not just some fans hanging out to watch a match.  I’m still learning the game and what it means to be a supporter, and I haven’t been able to turn on the television or radio and not have it be something soccer related.  At this point it has become something more important to me than I’ve had in a very long time.  Where AC Boise goes and where The River Guard takes me is anyone’s guess, but I know I have found my happy place.

Written By: Robert McIntosh, River Guard Member