Football fans bravely watched Pine’s Portland Heart, which made its Fitzpatrick Stadium debut at Knoxville SC on Sunday. Daryn Slover/Portland Press Herald
I will admit that since I retired in Grade 6, I have been in the camp where football is boring - a group of increasingly unpopular close-range sports fans who may have had some unresolved issues in my case because they were ridiculed for their love for baseball.
What can I say, hurt people hurt people. But the enthusiasm of seeing Pine's heart inauguration season inspired me to rethink my position and give another shot to the beautiful game, even if there is no other reason.
I still don't understand how people are doing so Pump, promise season tickets, and stand out among the Navy and Green merchandise before the team plays a single game. But maybe that speaks to what all Portland professional sports really mean - not records or rosters, but things to do.
As someone who likes to do things occasionally, especially outside, and even when it comes to food and drinks, I have many reasons to think that no matter how I feel about football, I have many reasons to think that I might enjoy going to the pine tree game. So, I asked for a media pass at Fitzpatrick Stadium last week to get other football cynics to buy tickets this season (the rest of the sale on Monday) and they might know if it's worth it.
When I see all the streets I usually parked in the Feather Dog game where I usually parked in the furry game, my experience started a shaky start. I quickly turned down a small street, and the other was full, but eventually found a space on Falmouth Street, a five-minute walk from the stadium (slightly wet), which was nothing like anything else outside Portland.
Sean Daly of South Portland led the Dirigo Union Valentine band before the start of a Portland Hearts competition at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland. Daryn Slover/Portland Press Herald
Following the sound of speakers and traveling band music, I entered the entrance, passed a very short line, and walked into one that felt like another, and everyone was happy even in the rain, and the food served from sheds, vans, trucks, trucks and trailers, always within arm range.
When optimistic dance music did not flourish through the sound system, the team of Dirigo Union supporters was filled with drums, brass and odes. Street sign-like stands pointing to different parts of the stadium, adding to the pop-up town feel.
I don't have a seat, so I wandered there most of the time, noting a variety of foods (oysters, falafels, peanut butter sandwiches and hot dogs with dill grilled), but I often stop to try to play the game.
Portland's Pine fans cheered their team in the club's first home game in Portland - against Knoxville SC at Fitzpatrick Stadium. Daryn Slover/Portland Press Herald
A big difference between this group of people and the Hadlock field is that whether most people are watching, whether they are sitting in their seats, standing on the beer line or returning to the stands with food. They took out their cell phones to record the corner kicks and responded to each game.
Even though I tried to be more important than anything, after a squad of Pine players nearly missed the network, I heard myself sending out the same "awww" as everyone else.
I think I might be in football, but it's just a reward. I've sold it on Pine's heart.