Russ Andolina is simply put one of the biggest soccer supporters in Buffalo, New York.
He caught “the soccer bug” during the run up to the 2002 World Cup. One of the first matches he ever attended was the USA/Honduras qualifier in September 2001. He called the game “better than any sporting event” he had seen or been part of.
His love for the sport continued to grow and flourish through the years. Eventually he did his own part in growing the game by starting the Buffalo chapter of the American Outlaws with fellow supporter Jeff Fabin. Together they did their best to promote the sport by organizing viewing parties and attending local soccer matches.
Their attention soon turned to NPSL side FC Buffalo. Several soccer teams had come and gone, but this team was started in 2009 by a former radio personality. It caught their interest and they quickly joined local fans that were organizing their support for the hometown team.
FC Buffalo quickly found themselves with a dedicated supporters’ group, called the Situation Room. Today they are 30-40 strong with a focus on local pride and being all-inclusive. The group flies the Buffalo city flag and follows the motto “For Our City”. They run a tight ship: no swearing, no alcohol sales, and the promotion of a family-friendly environment.
Why are they called the Situation Room? Because of Buffalo native and current CNN personality Wolf Blitzer. The team is also nicknamed the Blitzers in honor of the famous newscaster that graduated from Kenmore West HS and the University of Buffalo.
The Situation Room often hits the road in support of their team, making sure that they have a presence at every game. It certainly helps as the squad never feels like they are alone in the fight.
And Buffalo’s supporters have high hopes for the climb in the not so distant future.
“Ideally we would like FC Buffalo to go up the pyramid,” Andolina stated. “With a groundswell of support, some cash from new investors, we could go up to the USL PRO or NASL.”
But for now Andolina and the other supporters are happy to support the Blitzers on the journey through the NPSL. Andolina appreciates several aspects of the growing league.
First, the NPSL is truly a nationwide league. There are 50+ teams in every part of the country; no one is left out.
Second, it is affordable soccer that families can enjoy. This goes back to the Situation Room’s idea of unity and inclusion. $5 tickets allow people to be included in all the excitement of seeing top collegiate players and former professional battle it out on the pitch. Finally, Andolina believes the NPSL offers an accessible format. Casual fans, hardcore supporters, and families all have a place at an NPSL match.
The success and growth of the NPSL is just one piece of the puzzle that is American soccer. But Andolina is very optimistic about the future of the sport here in the States.
He sees success in the U.S. college system, a system that is producing stars for MLS, the NASL, USL PRO, and beyond. He sees passion and enthusiasm in the Pacific Northwest where the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers have set the standards for American supporters. He sees future stars in MLS academies, saying the academy system is “how you build a world-class team.”
“We are on the right path,” Andolina continued. “We have the talent, commitment, and infrastructure.”
But America’s brightest hour might be with the next generation of U.S. footballers.
“We are the 1st generation of players to grow up with the sport,” Andolina added. “Greater success may rest in the next generations.”
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.
