Soccer Rising: From Columbus To Phoenix

Three years ago today, I was driving from Memphis to Oklahoma City.  It was the second of a four day journey from Columbus to Phoenix, where I would start a new role at work and a new chapter in my life.  I was leaving behind, at least physically, a city in which I was mainlining soccer.  The Crew were quickly rising to top-of-mind status for the casual central Ohio sports fan, aided by the club's 2008 MLS Cup victory and flourishing development program.  (How smart is it to outfit hundreds of local youth players in replica jerseys, by the way?  The impact of seeing nine-year-olds all of the sudden wearing Crew gear at the grocery store = priceless.)  Add my participation in club and country supporters culture to my coaching role in the Crew Juniors development program, and you start to see how pervasive soccer was to my day to day life in Columbus.

The impact of soccer in my destination city, however, was unknown.  I had a serious soccer habit to maintain, and there was much working against me in Phoenix.  First, there was no stable professional club, let alone an MLS team.  In a climate in which high temperatures of over 100 degrees are the norm from June - Sept, grass was only to be found on golf courses or the many spring training ballparks that dot the valley.  Further complicating things, my new work role would prevent me from coaching.  I'd also soon find that there were zero soccer-friendly pubs in my new 'hood, which I detailed in a blog post here.  It was a dark time for the rebellion.

However, there were signs of hope.  I quickly learned that the Crew were visiting Phoenix for their 2010 preseason training.  Attending these preseason matches was a treat; it was so quiet, you could hear all the players' on-field communication.  Clearly the soccer gods knew that I was going to deeply miss supporting my team in the Nordecke, and they threw me a frickin' bone to keep my spirits up.  I even met a few local Crew supporters at the preseason games, which helped to build my new Crew family in the desert. 

Cut to 2013, and you find Arizona busting with soccer news at both the country and club levels.  Last year's hosting of the USA-Venezuela friendly saw 22,000 witness Ricardo Clark's later-than-Klinsy's-roster-announcements 97th minute game-winner.  Last week's Mexico-Denmark friendly drew 43,000.  On the club side, since 2010 a Cactus League culture has firmly established itself in Arizona.  Between the Desert Friendlies and the Desert Diamond Cup, more than half of the 19 MLS clubs will spend time in Tucson this February.  Plus, plans have been revealed for $2MM of venue enhancements in Tucson for 2014.  With its warm February weather, its facilities and the current critical mass of MLS teams participating, a meaningful and lucrative MLS spring training tradition is Arizona's to lose.

Most importantly for soccer's future in the desert, professional clubs have been established in both Tucson and Phoenix.  FC Tucson started their PDL campaign in 2010, and Phoenix FC, the valley's new USL PRO team, will host its first match on March 30.  Phoenix FC is also affiliated with MLS' Real Salt Lake, which will visit the desert in June as part of a home and away series.  It's quite a trip to witness a club's borning cry, but that's exactly what is happening right now in Phoenix.  Its home will be Arizona State's soccer stadium, with its capacity being expanded to over hold over 5000 fans.  Some players have been named, and soon the squad will be complete.  A supporters group named La Furia Roja has formed, and soon they will be singing at matches.  Supporters' scarves have been produced, and soon there will be PFC gear.  Announcement by announcement, tweet by tweet, history is being made.  

With all this progress, there are still setbacks.  Local soccer supporters are currently mourning the loss of the town's best (only?) soccer pub, 16th St Sports Bar.  It was perfect in so many ways, I often wondered what I did with my other two wishes.  Their friendly staff would accommodate your every footie desire by opening no matter how early (EPL matches often start at 7am), acquiring every soccer channel possible, showing your match including the sound and ensuring that the entire experience was washed down with cheap drinks and tasty food.  I especially weep for the loss of my first girlfriend in town, their Torta Cubana; Te amo siempre, tortita!  I'm sure a new home base will soon be found, perhaps near Phoenix FC's stadium in Tempe, but 16SSB will always be remembered and adored.

Taking into account the stillness of the soccer scene three years ago, the current buzz in Arizona is remarkable.  I feel lucky to bear witness to it, just as I feel lucky to witness the ascendency of soccer in the United States in my lifetime.  Similar to when I moved to Columbus in 1996, living in Phoenix since 2010 has given me another chance to witness the beautiful game's cultural maturity in a part of the United States.  I'm excited to see what another three years will bring.