MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) — The electricity in the stands Wednesday night for Memphis 901 FC’s first nationally televised game was infectious.
It all started with University of Memphis football Coach Mike Norvell smashing a guitar.
“This will be a first time to ever smash a guitar,” said Norvell. “But what a beautiful night to be able to come out and support our city and obviously our soccer team.”
For the coach, this was an opportunity to help Memphis 901 FC defend the city.
The team’s official fan club, the Bluff City Mafia, has the most vocal supporters.
“I think it’s fantastic that different subcultures within Memphis are all coming together and saying look, we all have this one love of this sport,” said member Molly Weldele. “One love for our boys.”
Weldele was in the dugout at AutoZone Park, leading chants and hyping up the crowd. The stadium was packed with soccer fans old and young.
A team of young players, Purple Rain, got the chance to walk out with players. One said it’s an inspiration to see tonight’s game up close.
“It’s just fun to be on the team, it’s a team sport and sometimes crushing the ball is really fun,” said player Leighton Visinsky.
“This is the fans’ team,” said Memphis 901 FC President Craig Unger. “The supporters’ team. Those people that sing songs and wave the flag all night long.”
As players battled on the pitch, their fan club rolled out a banner which took 12 hours to paint. It summed up the atmosphere in the stands with the words “Memphis ‘Til We Die.”
“If you know a true fan and a true soccer player, it’s an addiction and you can’t walk away from it,” commented Weldele.
The team’s president says the driving factor which will make or break this team is the fan support.
The next match will be in Nashville on Saturday.