Clad in red and white and chanting in rhythm of their beloved club, a busload of Union Ultra supporters pulled into Rio Tinto Stadium before Saturday's Chivas USA-Real Salt Lake playoff match.
The final leg of the journey took mere minutes to complete but the entirety of their trip -- from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., to the base of the Wasatch Mountains -- was more than 12 hours long.
It was a testament of their love, they said.
"It brings the group together," said group member Manuel Lopez. "We're 100 percent dedicated to supporting the team."
The Union Ultras, a Chivas USA supporters group, was one of multiple groups that converged on Sandy to support the Red-and-White. Legion 1908, a Chivas de Guadalajara supporters group, were also present as Legion Kalifas, from California, and Legion Idaho were also in the stands clad in their team's colors, supporting the club with chants, drum beats and enthusiasm.
Although the supporters only took up a pair of sections, Chivas USA players welcomed their support.
"We much appreciate it. We heard them throughout the game," Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan said. "We'll have to reward them with a victory at home next Saturday."
As Chivas USA players were lining up moments before kickoff, the players raised their hands and clapped in the direction of Legion, who were situated in the second deck in front of their half of the field. Then, Ante Razov pointed to the Ultras and teammates did the same in appreciation of those supporters, who sat on the top deck on the opposite side of the stadium.
Red-and-white flags carved the air while drumbeats provided a steady and at times ominous sound at Rio Tinto Stadium.
"Any time you see those guys and they made a big effort to get out here, you want to give them something that they're happy to cheer for. It's unfortunate how it worked out," Chivas USA midfielder Jesse Marsch said after a last-minute goal gave RSL a 1-0 win. "It was unfortunate that they stuck them way in the corner. It would have been nicer to have them closer, to hear them a little more but I always appreciate those guys coming out."
The Ultras' bus transported about 50 fans to the game. Although most were men, some women and children were aboard the bus as well. The bus left The Home Depot Center Friday night just after 10 p.m. and drove through the night. Throughout the trip, fans wore Chivas USA jerseys or T-shirts bearing the group's name and handed out U.S. flag bandanas as well. At times the most hearty supporters from the group practiced their chants which reverberated throughout the bus.
"Chivas USA! We love you! We love you! We love you!
And where you go, we'll follow! We'll follow! We'll follow!"
"That group has really gone out of their way to try and support us all year long," Marsch said of the Ultras. "They've been very kind to us and I appreciate all of their fanfare and what they put into it. I think it adds a little bit to the Chivas family."
To fund the bus, supporter Lopez said he put in $1,800 of his own money to complete the funds necessary to secure the bus.
"One hundred percent," Lopez responded when asked if the money was worth the experience. "We were really happy. I took the whole family and made it a trip. We enjoyed it and we're ready for the next one."
Having ardent support at home and on the road boosts the players too, Chivas USA defender Jonathan Bornstein said.
"Last year we had the Legion and their great fans and then to have another supporters' group on the other side (of The Home Depot Center) banging away on their drums and everything is pretty amazing too," he said. "For them to drive all the way out here on a bus, put up the money and spend all that time is pretty amazing and it just motivates us to play as hard as we can."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
