LAFC supporters: ‘We’re the best fans in the MLS right now’
Story by Jamie Park and Kate Sequeira
During a Los Angeles Football Club home game, Exposition Park is blanketed in black and gold. Fans crowd the Banc of California Stadium decked out in jerseys, caps and face paint. Men and women raise large flags emblazoned with team logos as fans chant through megaphones.
“We’re here to show the rest of the world that MLS can be as passionate as European league,” said Ryan Romero, a fan from Exposition Park. “MLS can stand right along as well as Barcelona and Real Madrid can play.”
LAFC is only in its second season but its fan base is already strong. The team boasts 17 sold out home games during its first season and an average attendance of 22,042 fans. Within the 3252, an independent supporters union, there are a number of supporter groups like the Black Army 1850 and Cuervos. The 3252 figure stands for the number of seats in the supporter section where thousands of fans stand, dance and chant through an entire game.
“It’s the best sports audience in L.A.,” said Josh Lee of Koreatown. “We are active supporters … In 3252 were all about …. giving active support — standing up and cheering. We’re always giving our team that active boost that we will never stop cheering.”
The team is at the top of the Western Conference this season with only one loss against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC in April.
LAFC will play Montreal Impact today at the Banc of California Stadium.
Intersections South LA spent time with LAFC fans during a recent game. Here is what they had to say:
