RJ Pooch knows it is hard work being a fan of the beautiful game. You have to have unbelievable passion, an understanding of the global game, and most of all, be willing to share your love of the game with others. RJ does all these things and the results have been amazing.
Pooch not only helped create the Cleveland chapter of the American Outlaws, but he is also a founding member of the 6th City Syndicate. The Syndicate was created as a European-style supporters’ group for Ohio’s newest professional soccer club, AFC Cleveland of the NPSL. Pooch and his friends wanted to make sure the new franchise had support and lots of it. So you have to say Pooch is a builder, a promoter of all that is good in the game of soccer.
Pooch has had a relationship with the game since high school when he played, but he was quick to explain there is a difference between player and supporter. As a right back at Sandusky HS in Ohio, Pooch understood the game on one level, but as a supporter he saw the game in a completely different way.
His transformation into a supporter came with the 1994 World Cup, a time we all mark as a difference maker for soccer here in the States. Pooch attended the Sweden vs. Russia match in Pontiac, Michigan.
“I had never seen true fans before,” Pooch commented in an interview with ISNSoccer.com. “They were going nuts!”
Pooch was enthralled with the passion and pageantry that went on during the match. Chants, painted faces, costumes, people traveling hours or even days to see the match: the game had it all.
Fast forward to the 2010 World Cup and we see Pooch actively involved in promoting the sport to the masses. He helped start the Cleveland chapter of the American Outlaws, growing the organization by leaps and bounds. It started with a January viewing party with only 5 or 6 fans and grew to crowds of 100+ during the U.S./England match and the U.S/Mexico Gold Cup final. AO Cleveland currently has 72 active members, but that number could easily grow to 200 by the time the World Cup in Brazil rolls around.
AO Cleveland strives to have Cleveland represented in person at national team matches across the country. Their long-term goal is to have a small group of Clevelanders at every match for the national team.
What does RJ think of the American game? It’s getting better, but the U.S. is still not able to compete consistently and win at the highest level. The future will be determined by America’s youth and the development ofAmerica’s next generation of footballers.
“Americans want to root for teams that are winning,” Pooch admitted. That explains why some many fans in the U.S. and Canada are so fascinated with the English Premier League and La Liga. That’s also why you will see Manchester United, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Barcelona jerseys at MLS matches.
Pooch understands this fascination with European clubs, being a supporter of Fulham FC. He began to follow the legendary club because of Brian McBride and this love flourished with the success of other Americans like Clint Dempsey. While Pooch is a big fan of Fulham, he also loves the Columbus Crew. He is enthused about the quality of play in Major League Soccer at the moment, seeing a great improvement in the last 4 or 5 years. Pooch sees many positives in MLS, but understands it is not in the top 5 globally.
“MLS is on par with the Scottish Premier League,” Pooch declared. “MLS teams could be competitive against Celtic and Rangers.”
The quality of play is not the only attractive aspect of MLS, thanks to a special connection between fans, players, and the league.
“It’s like the band only you and your friends know about,” Pooch continued. Pooch talked passionately about the connection Frankie Hejduk has with Columbus Crew supporters, even after joining the Galaxy. Hejduk received a hero’s welcome on his return to Crew Stadium in September.
Pooch is excited about bringing this type of support and enthusiasm back to Cleveland with AFC Cleveland. Northeast Ohio has a soccer-literate base with nostalgic fans that want to watch soccer. And Cleveland has a tradition of excellence in soccer thanks to the Crunch, Force, and City Stars all experiencing great success.
Pooch sees a lot of inspiration for the 6th City Syndicate across the U.S. From the Sons of Ben to the Timbers Army, support for American soccer is strong. Even the Borough Boys, what Pooch calls “huge supporters of a theoretical team,” are relevant to the national soccer scene.
“The Timbers Army are the best supporters in the country, what supporters’ groups want to be,” Pooch stated. When compared to the supporters of the Seattle Sounders, Pooch sees a big difference. Portland fans are more genuine, a stadium full of supporters. Seattle has a stadium full of fans.
It is important to note the difference between a fan and a supporter. Fans go to games and casually follow their teams, while supporters put their heart and soul into their club. Supporters have a close relationship with their players and coaches and support them in good times and bad. They actively try to make the club better; supporters are classy and respectful.
$1 hot dogs and beer don’t affect true supporters who are there for Reserve matches, the Open Cup, and even training sessions. Pooch is one of many supporters for the new Cleveland team, ensuring the club’s success over the long term. Pooch has said that they are ready to embrace the new team wholeheartedly and have set some goals for AFC’s inaugural season.
“1,500 people at a game would be a huge win for us,” Pooch concluded. This is certainly a feasible objective because they already have the buy-in of fans and supporters.
Whether it is Fulham, the USMNT, or AFC Cleveland, it is easy to see that any club would love to have RJ among their supporters. It is people like him that will push the beautiful game forward here in America with the hopes of World Cup glory in the not so distant future.
Pelé is unquestionably the world’s greatest soccer ambassador, spreading his love of the Beautiful Revolution wherever he goes. He has become the game’s strongest supporter and has been the source of inspiration for millions around the globe. From the streets of New York to the fields of South Africa, Pelé Sports is a name synonymous with passion, creativity and innovating the game the way it should be played. A world without Pelé would be a world without soccer with millions missing out on the joy and the Beautiful Revolution we all love in this game.
Today’s supporters carry on the prestigious legacy of Pelé, growing and promoting the game in their own communities and passing the torch to a new generation of footballers. Mainstream media outlets have failed to give a face to these fans, people who do extraordinary things everyday and have stories that deserve to be told.
Whether it is an Iraqi War veteran who is a passionate supporter of his favorite MLS side or a student making an impact on the college game, the concept of ambassadorship is alive and well here in North America. Today’s supporters are not hooligans or fanatics or even überfans, but rather gatekeepers to the true spirit of the beautiful game.
International Soccer Network, in conjunction with Pelé Sports, plans to celebrate the contributions of North American soccer fans every month with a new series of feature articles.
