Indy Eleven

We have a new pro-sport in town... well, semi-pro, at least. It's not the Majors, but we'll see big stars come through. At least, they're big stars if you follow the sport. What sport, you ask? Soccer.

It still amazes me how popular soccer has become in the US. Not a bad thing, at all... nice to finally have a common sport with the rest of the world be so popular in the US, too. Locally, there was a big push to get a professional team here, even if it wasn't the MLS level. Which they finally did.

And they've done it right. All the right publicity and promotion to get people hyped up about it. They sold out their season tickets well before the season (Eric and I even bought some), and their first game (last night) was sold out. And the hype? Even if you don't follow soccer, you can't help but follow it - the excitement is just too real... there's no commercial machine behind it, it's just a pure passion for the game by longtime fans.

So the team? Again, they did it right by having a team name (Indy Eleven) with a history/background to it that made it interesting to everyone... they didn't just throw out some mascot. They strategically drafted and announced everyone one the team, from the coach to the last player, just weeks before the first game. They have a fan club, the Brickyard Battalion, that leads all the chants and songs during the games. It's even very kid/family friendly.

So last night was the first game, and even I was excited about it. And though the match was a draw, it did not disappoint in excitement. I can only imagine it'll get better as the team's chemistry grows. And we have a whole season to watch it unfold!