Photo: Earl Gardner

I can’t begin to adequately convey you how much I am looking forward to the remaining home matches with DC United coming up on September 20th and then the big one we have all been waiting for since the announcement of the 2012 schedule, Red Bulls on October 27. But I’ll try.

The last time DC United came to town, they brought with them a large number of Screaming Eagles and other supporters groups. The atmosphere was electric from the beginning of the match and only continued throughout the excruciating 1-0 loss.

The fact that many teams are now bringing hordes of fans to enemy stadiums is promising for a league that plays in a country as large as the United States. No, you still won’t see rabid Chivas fans at PPL Park, but this season we have seen groups from Columbus, Montreal, New York (uh, I mean New Jersey), and DC grace our away stands.But the distances traveled by away supporters will likely grow along with this nation’s love for soccer. With the possible addition of another New York team (one actually in New York), we may also start to see new supporters show their faces as well.

Having traveled to matches for both the Philadelphia Union and the US Men’s National team, I have to say there is nothing more rewarding as a soccer fan than supporting your team in a hostile away environment.

If you have not taken advantage of the many away stadiums we have in our general vicinity, I highly recommend you do so. It will change you as a supporter. Screaming songs and chants at the top of your lungs while innocent enemy supporters stare in disbelief is an experience like none other. (For those that don’t know, the Sons of Ben run great away trips to various matches throughout the year.)

So I ask you Philadelphia faithful to keep our home park rocking, support the team on the road, and when visiting supporters do show their faces at PPL Park, to give em’ hell.