Futbol in Central America - Buenisimo!!

            Last night, Laura and I went to a Saprissa home futbol game.  The game was against Real Salt Lake, an MLS team from the States.  Saprissa had lost to Real Salt Lake earlier the month before 0-2 and had to win the game last night by at least 2 goals in order to be able to advance to their league’s finals.  Let’s just say that the game was FREAKING AWESOME!!!  First off, we bought tickets from a scalper which was an experience in itself.  Second, we sat right behind the ‘crazies’ or as they are called here, the ‘ultra morada.’  We stood the entire game, sang chants the entire game, and made fun of the gringos the entire game. 

Honestly, this is how futbol is supposed to be played and enjoyed.  I think soccer fans in the States could learn a lot from Costa Rican fans.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I took some pictures of the match so that you too could enjoy the game through me.  Also, there’s a video of some of the highlights from the game below too.  If you look closely after Saprissa scores its first goal, you can see me and Laura in the stands.

 

We arrived a little early but it was fun to sit and take it all in.  Plus, it was cool to see the stadium fill up.

Of course, I was sporting the Saprissa jersey.  I think if I had worn a Real Salt Lake jersey I would have been murdered, honestly.

Notice the Saprissa fan flipping the 'bird' to the left of the photo.  When Real Salt Lake came out to do their warm-ups, the middle finger was the choice signal to use by most Saprissa fans.  Also, dirty words, both in English and Spanish, may or may not have been yelled by the fans.

As seen in this photo, the row of seats literally right in front of us was the pep band/crazies section.  My ears hurt but boy was it worth it.  They have such passion for the game!

My Saprissa buddy for the night.  I mean Laura, not the guy behind me with his shirt off.

A live action shot of the game.  Saprissa is in purple and RSL is in white.

Another shot of the ultra morada (aka the crazies) in front of us with their huge bass drums, snares, trumpets, etc.

Two things, first, look how full the stadium is compared to the first picture I posted above.  Second, my favorite chant of that night was: "Vamos!  Vamos morados!  Esta noche, tenemos que ganar!"  It was amazing!  What a great night of futbol, jumping around, and chanting in Spanish.

       

           Okay, here's a highlight clip of the game.  If you look really closely between the 1:18 mark and the 1:20 mark, you can see me and Laura in the stands.  Okay, I'll help you out a bit finding me.  See the white and purple sign across the screen?  It says 'ultra morada.'  If you follow the 'M' in the sign up, you'll see a man in a tank top in front a huge bass drum, playing it.  Off the right shoulder of that same man, at a 90 degree angle, you'll see 2 people with Saprissa jerseys on.  One of those persons has his arm and hand sticking straight up in the air and is jumping up and down, that's me!  My 2 seconds of international fame.