NWSL Supporter Groups: Friendly and Fierce
Family, friends, community.
If you are a women’s soccer fan you know how engaged and vocal the fan base can be. From banter on social media to following soccer-specific writers and going to games and repping team gear, women’s soccer fans are passionate. So how do those three words and women’s soccer come together in the same article?
Because of these three words: team supporter groups. Each National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team has at least one prominent supporter group that has one common goal: supporting their team and helping to grow the fan base.
From singing, chanting and drumming at games to helping in their communities and holding fundraisers to welcoming new members with open arms, these groups can agree on one more thing: near or far if you are looking for a community that thrives on women’s soccer, you’ve found it.
Case in point. Just in time for the Challenge Cup, these groups announced a special, new fundraiser. The NWSL supporter groups will be fundraising through ACTS: Activating Communities Through Sports – an NWSL Supporters Initiative.
“We acknowledge that the spaces where our teams will be training and playing over the course of the next month in Utah are on traditional Indigenous lands,” said ACTS on their Twitter account, @NWSLSG_ACTS. “As such, we are using this platform to support the American Indians/Alaskan Natives (AI/AN) living in and around Salt Lake City.
The first ACTS fundraiser will benefit the Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake (UICSL) which serves The People by honoring Native cultures, strengthening health and wellness programs and cultivating community. You can make a pledge to support UICSL with every goal scored by your club during the NWSL Challenge Cup. Additional details can be found on the ACTS Twitter account.
Below is a rundown of these supporter groups to help you learn a little more about them. Are you a member of one of these groups? If so, let us know in the comments your favorite moment as part of your Supporters Group.
Sky Blue
Cloud 9 (@Cloud9SBFC)
Interview with Jen Muller
Account is run by:
It’s kept secret!
What section is your supporters group in the stadium for games?
We sit in section 101.
How did this supporters group get started?
I wasn’t involved at that point but when it started in 2013 it was just a handful of people and was very informal. By the time I got started in 2015 there was really just one person left from 2013. In 2015 we got more organized as a group and we got a boost from the World Cup. We also started bringing people in who were also fans of the Red Bulls of the MLS and other teams in the area.
What is your goal as the official supporter group of your club?
First and foremost our goal is to support the team on game day. Singing, chanting, drums, banners, tifos (giant banners), the whole thing. But supporting the team both on and off the field is our primary objective. We also look to contribute to our community. We try and work with local charitable organizations throughout the year.
What is the best part of being a part of this group?
The best part is we are a family. We all come from different backgrounds and we are a group of people who probably wouldn’t be friends otherwise but this thing brings us together. I’m proud of the way our membership has grown and has been welcoming to new people. We get a lot of people that come on their own. It’s not like we get groups of friends joining necessarily so I like that we’ve built this environment that people feel comfortable coming on their own and knowing that we will be there day in and day out.
What is your favorite memory as part of this group?
There are two games that stand out. One is the last game of the 2018 season. We went into that last game with zero wins and it was a tough year all around but our core group kept coming to games and singing their hearts out. Carli [Lloyd] scored the only goal of the game and we won and just the joy in our section was amazing. There were people crying just because it was such a tough year on and off the field for our players. Also, the first game played in Red Bull Arena was special.
How have you been keeping engaged with fans during COVID-19 with no games?
We’ve been doing a lot online. From Zoom tailgates to fundraising. Early on we did a donation drive to one of the organizations we support, the AIDS Resource Foundation for Children, they have adult housing for gay/bisexual men who are HIV positive and the other is for women who have been victims of abuse who are HIV positive. They are a bit more of at-risk health wise so we did an Amazon donation drive to keep them busy with things to do around the house, puzzles, games etc. We also sent them a bunch of masks we had made for our members. Right now we are doing a merchandise fundraiser for the Black Trans Travel Fund with all proceeds though the end of July going to that organization.
What advice would you give to fans who live outside an NWSL market on how best to follow teams and feel a part of a team?
Advice I’ve given to other people before is find a player from your region or a player who played at a college you went to or are local to. And it doesn’t have to be a National Team player. If you are in a region and none of the teams speak to you, find players to support and I think they’d appreciate it as well. The National Team players tend to get most of the shine so supporting the players on a personal level might also help you find a team to latch onto as well. There’s nothing wrong with following the league as a whole but it’s nice to have loyalty to a team but even just watching the games alone is a huge boost and will help us expand to other cities someday.
How are you planning to cover the Challenge Cup?
We are trying Zoom watch parties. The timing of the middle of the day games might be tough with people working but we’ll figure it out. We just want to stay connected online.
Washington Spirit
Spirit Squadron (@spiritsquadron)
Interview with Megan Wesson
Account is run by:
Angie Kanellopulos (@SquadronAng)
Megan Wesson (@SquadronMeg)
What section is your supporters group in the stadium for games?
With the new stadium changes we aren’t positive where our sections will be yet, but previously at Audi we have been in 136 and 137.
How did this supporters group get started?
The Squadron was dreamed up shortly after the league announcement. The co-creator, Ashley Nichols, created the Twitter account (@SpiritSquadron) and invited people to sit with us at the first preseason games. As more people heard us in the stands or saw our random theme nights they joined.
What is your goal as the official supporter group of your club?
Our main goal is to first and foremost show our players we’re there supporting them until the very last second. It is also our goal to make sure the opposing team doesn’t feel like they have any sort of advantage, whether we’re home or away.
What is the best part of being a part of this group?
For me personally, the best part is they are my second family. We call ourselves the Island of Misfit Toys. We all have different backgrounds and environments but everyone is there to have a good time, and collectively put effort into helping our team win.
What is your favorite memory as part of this group?
The whole 2016 season, except the last few minutes of the final, of course. We had all experienced that whirlwind of a season together. Our semi-final at home, the trip to Houston, the Squadron’s largest membership numbers, and our partnership with that year’s players.
How have you been keeping engaged with fans during COVID-19 with no games?
We have weekly Zoom tailgates that we are all able to keep up with each other. Social media has been a great tool to reach out, and keep everyone up to date with the latest information.
What advice would you give to fans who live outside an NWSL market on how best to follow teams and feel a part of a team?
I live outside of the NWSL markets and these are what worked best for me. Find the team and Supporters Group that fits best for you. Follow them on social media, buy season tickets if you can, join their Zoom calls or watch parties. Once you can go to games, reach out to fellow fans, NWSL fans are some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met.
How are you planning to cover the Challenge Cup?
We’re hoping to set up some video watch parties for the Challenge Cup games. You can keep up with tournament news and information by following us (@SpiritSquadron), and the Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) on Twitter.
Houston Dash
Bayou City Republic (@BayouCityRep)
Interview with an anonymous group lead
Account is run by:
It’s a secret!
What section is your supporters group in the stadium for games?
We are in section 137.
How did this supporters group get started?
We started off as a drumming group in 2015 beating on five-gallon buckets. That eventually grew into choosing the group name that summer. All of us were season ticket holders that also attended watch parties at The Phoenix on Westheimer.
What is your goal as the official supporter group of your club?
To provide a space where fans can be crazy, super fans and passionate about Houston Dash soccer. We’re an immediate community when you need one. Soccer has been a space we’ve all turned to when we move somewhere new. If you’re looking for a crew to talk women’s soccer (or soccer in general), we probably have someone here for you.
What is the best part of being a part of this group?
Community. I know I’ve already covered that, but it’s the truth. I’ve seen people become best friends, date, find support, find a roommate and travel together through this group. It’s been hard to be away from the community while we social distance. We don’t all live in Houston, so to lose that “axis mundi” can feel rough. Besides family, a lot of us in BCR are checking in with each other and helping others get through this time.
What is your favorite memory as part of this group?
I always go back to the Seattle game in May, 2018. The Dash were having a rough time and we had never beaten Seattle, so a couple of us decided to walk around BBVA and sage it. Seattle was up the whole first half. Kristie Mewis comes in and scores in the 68th minute and then Veronica Latsko seals the deal in the 93rd minute. We were so excited when the whistle blew to close the game. Call it divine intervention or belief in your team, but it really felt like the whole DashFam (team and fans) could do big things if we focused on the goal. Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose. Texas forever.