While kickoff between Houston Dynamo and the New England Revolution is set for 3:30 p.m. ET in the 11th MLS Cup, the party was well underway hours earlier at Pizza Hut Park on Sunday.
Fans arrived early on a picture-perfect North Texas day to take part in various pregame festivities, some planned and others completely improvised. Orange is the color of the day, as thousands of Dynamo fans have mostly taken over both inside and outside the stadium. The club helped organize a "Convoy to Cup" for fans that produced a large turnout and a car caravan that stretched a couple of miles long.
One of the biggest draws was Soccer Celebration, which allows fans of all ages to take part in games, contests and even meet some of the league's premier players who aren't taken part in the championship match. Real Salt Lake's Chris Klein, the Chicago Fire's Justin Mapp, Chivas USA's Jonathan Bornstein and D.C. United's Bobby Boswell and Christian Gomez were all on hand signing autographs and posing for photographs.
"I'm here to be able to see the kids and bring some extra excitement to the game," Klein said between snapshots. "I also like to experience what it's like to be at a final. Some of the other guys don't like it, but I see it as a motivator."
From the chants of kids to the drum-banging, singing members of Houston supporters El Batallon, Dynamo fans made their presence felt, clearly outnumbering their counterparts from New England. But that didn't stop the Revolution fans from enjoying the experience and poking fun at their opponents.
"I just feel sorry for them," said Ginger Coleman. Though she and her husband, Mike, and son, Brandon, reside in Michigan, Brandon has taken a liking to the Revs, which he proudly displayed with a jersey and scarf.
"I just like their players -- Taylor Twellman, Clint Dempsey and Pat Noonan," Brandon said.
There weren't only Revolution and Dynamo fans on hand for the match, as kilt-wearing D.C. United fans, local supporters of FC Dallas and others also added some flavor. Even some fans of the San Jose Earthquakes made the trip, despite their side having relocated to Houston prior to the start of the season.
"We still follow our team," said John Basanese, who flew out from the Bay Area for the match. "I've been an Earthquakes fan since the first Earthquakes of the old North American Soccer League. My parents took me and now I'm here with my sons. We're happy that (Dynamo) are happy here in Texas, but we miss them."
Regardless of where all these soccer fans consider home, it is clear that all are festive and excited for what is sure to be another spectacular season finale.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
