Partido de Fútbol- Newell's Old Boys

On Sunday (today) we went to the Newell’s Old Boys game in Independence Park. This is one of the local soccer leagues. Talk about an experience! When we hit Peligrini Boulevard we started seeing red and black everywhere. We passed restaurants where crowds of young people were outside chanting and singing. The game fever had already hit.

When we got to Independence Park we simply joined the throng of people moving in the direction of the stadium. The flow of red and black only increased. We passed hot dog and hamburger stands and stands selling gear for the game- just as if we were headed to a baseball game in the states.

The popular section is where the big banner is rolling down. They did this several times throughout the game.

We were patted down by the police officers in bullet-proof vests and then found the gate where we needed to enter. We saw full plastic bags on the ground and were a little confused as to why people were picking them up and what might be in them. We were to later find out. We climbed up the concrete stairs to the top section and then began to try and figure out where our seats were, since nothing seemed to be marked. Finally we asked someone near us who told us about where our seats were and then told us, “but just sit anywhere.” We found an empty spot, sat down and began to take in the scene around us. For safety sake we had opted for the more expensive seats that actually had seats. The “popular” section, which we immediately picked out, looked like a lot more fun, but we had been warned that it wasn’t as safe. For those of you who have been to the Clackamas County Rodeo, it is similar to the Canby Crazies section, only much more rowdy. This is the section to sit in if you want to learn the chants and songs of the team. Our section would begin to sing or chant and then fade off. However we were close to the opposing teams seating so we learned lots of profanities and inappropriate hand-signs between fans in both sections. And all of this took place in front of young children no less, in fact the 12 or 13-year old sitting near me was one of the worst as far as hand signs to the other spectators.

The paper is thrown in the air when the team comes up...wouldn't want to be the person who has to clean up the stands.

I really did enjoy it though and just wish someone would have scored. Seeing as how we had been told that Newell’s was going to get slaughtered though, I guess they did pretty well by not letting the other team score. Actually, what they lack is an offense that can actually pass the ball to its own team. I don’t know how many times they got down to the goal and then passed the ball to a spot where no one from their team was! How frustrating to be a hardcore Newell’s fan! I still have to say that I am becoming more and more of a soccer fan- constant movement, lots of skill involved, and a set game time (although I don’t like this allowing a tie thing- someone should have to win!).

Our group after the game.