Richmond Coach Leigh Cowlishaw DESERVES a hot reception after this gaff!

"It will be a very boisterous crowd, one that's not typically American family-oriented."

http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031775400584&path=%21sports%21localpros&s=1045855935035

And how would that be slander ? Its called an opinion. Otherwise know as freedom of speech here in the states.

go back to your bowl and your cave Buck you're making things up again

Shockingly insensitive - The A-League should fine Leigh & suspend him from the PR matches!

The way I read the quote it's more of a praise than slander.

The A-League has too much of the other types of crowds in their stadiums.

For better or for worse, soccer fans in the USA tend to be suburban families (some exceptions, of course, but in general this is the case). I suspect that all the comment meant was that the fan base in Puerto Rico is likely to reflect the norm as it exists in Latin America and in Europe, i.e., a fan base consisting mostly of males (and many of them young and single). Is this actually Puerto Rico's fan base?...I have no idea. I will say that if they are averaging 5,000 per game, they are doing something right and more power to them (except against the Kickers tonight and this weekend!).

If you think a fine is order for that Buck. Then why not have a fine imposed when a coach assualts another player. And you know its happened.

I think he'd be surprised as to how many families attend this games together. We are in the caribbean, but that doesn't mean we are savages living by the beach. The crown is loud, we sing, we curse, we have good 'ol fun!


Yes, we are a very very rowdy, but no one can say that's any different from a crowd in England, or even Spain.

Ok, maybe I was a little bit offended . But who cares, If the crowd is rowdy that means we are enjoying the game. I'll admit I'm one of the first ones out there screaming and cursing when something goes wrong in the field, and I'm a girl. But it's all in good clean fun.

It's soccer for crying out loud! If he wants something more "clean" go coach tennis or golf.


After reading the article to me sounds a little afraid. Damn right we are the 12 man out there! Even when the team is loosing the crowd should always keep up the team's spirit. Don't worry Kickers there won't be a mob chasing you off the field if we loose. We might even take you out partying saturday after the game.

Chiming in here, the fanbase is not entirely male. You'd be shocked as to how many females go to these games and many of them, I swear I am not kidding, are better than your average fem fatale. As for families there are plenty of families there, however, the amount of cussing in Spanish at the ref, at the other team, and also at certain Islander players that mess up is "boisterous". I would say its not any worse than the rowdiest crowd in a typical NHL game. Do not think this is anywhere near the type of crowds you'd find in any typical Latin country cause its not. The crowd is rowdy only in the fact that we have drums in the stands and we get a good rythm going, aside from that it is safe for any family including any blond, black, chinese or whatever else family that decides to show. I have never seen a fight in the stands and there is plenty of security on and off the field. Seriously, this is not a third world venue, its probably a bit nicer than some of the rest of the a-league situations. I do hate the service in the beer line, terrible. As for the first game against Richmond it is going to suck for everyone involved and I expect a small crowd due entirely to the week long rain we have had. There is flooding in parts of the island and many major highways are even closed at the moment. The weather sucks and this first game could be a mudbowl if they don't cancel it all together. Felix

I have to say Krammerhead is right. It seems to more of a compliment than a put down. Cowlishaw is used to the laid back family atmosphere of UR stadium where kids outnumber adults 4 to one. Leigh is from England where the fans let you know exactly thats on their minds. The PR fans will find out after a while that ole Buck just likes to stir the pot and get peopled PO`d at other fans. Especially Richmond fans. And I, for one, love to spar with him. Especially when he is wrong. Which you will find out is 3/4 of the time.

Speaking of sucky weather... Is the game on for tonight?

If indeed the Richmond coach was taking a poke at anything (IMHO) it was the US fans; not any other nation's supporters.

I'd also take it as a compliment. There's nothing a coach loves more than playing to a silent crowd on the road. Who enjoys playing in front of a bunch of soccer moms and their unholy spawn anyway?

P.S. Felix - you have a 5 day old message in your inbox.

Cowlishaw would say the same thing if his team was coming into Swangard stadium to play Vancouver. It's gotten even better since his team last played here in 2001, where 5854 fans were here for the game (and unbelievably Richmond fans as well!)

I hope that the Puerto Rican fans are reasonably boisterous (is there such a concept? ), it makes for a better atmosphere. The CornerKicks in Richmond can be a bit on the edge too... I'm glad to have Puerto Rico in the league and I hope I can make a trip down there some time.

Game Crowd:



After the game crowd:




Need I say more

Wow!
Ok, I need an honest answer from our Puerto Rican friends...despite several years of study, my Spanish is terrible. I know English is also spoken throughout the island. Would I have any problems navigating the streets and talking with folks only using English?

You'd do ok in San Juan, but I wouldn't venture too far out of the city without someone fluent. Bilingualism isn't where Puerto Ricans would like it to be and is becoming a hot issue of discussion again.

That being said, you should make at least one trip out to Luquillo.

Luquillo? There's got to be a story there...

You'd be fine. Most people understand it, but then again some are just too lazy and they don't make an effort to speak it even thou they understand. English is mandatory in schools since kindergarden. Unfortunatelly our public school system is not the brightest and doesn't put enough preassure on students to give their best, at any course.

Better than Luquillo, go to Ocean Park Beach on Saturdays & Sundays:




Luquillo is fine if you like hiking in the rainforest. But San Juan is where the action is at!

I need to start saving for a trip...!

I was thinking of the stands.

1/2 mile of fried food and $1 beers.

Alcapurrias, Bacalaitos, Piononos... oh my!!!
Yum!

Just for fun here is me and Mighty Mouse (a.k.a. Felix and Cristina)


oops... snapfish sucks!

Well, page 2 at least.

Here ya go, Buck. Nice and stinky, the way you like it.

PR is a WONDERFUL addition to this League - & yeah I laughed my way to sleep last nite after creating this Thread...

Here is some more motivation to visit the "Pearl of the Caribbean"


This is from DJ Tiesto... That party rocked!

Party-Rico, yah, that's the ticket!

http://www.islandersfc.org/estadio.htm#Clima

Puerto Rico Islanders 0 - Richmond Kickers 0

Double overtime, both teams had chances, no score. Terrible field now worse due to rain for past 4 days but the evening was spared of rain. Perfect temperature for soccer but the field was too damp for good footing. Now Saturday the field will be screwed because of major slides and footholes. I believe the Islanders played a new goalie and he came through BIG on several plays. Islanders had 2 sure goals saved by the Richmond goalie. Crowd was about 3,000 which was a bit better than expected considering many thought the game was cancelled. Cheers, Felix

Well done Islanders! En dos tiempos extra 0 a 0 !

Hats off to the Islander Goalie. He put on a great performance last night . Althou the field sucked, it was overall a good game.
Let's wish for 2 days of sun so that conditions on the field improve.

Thanks for the update! Here's hoping for a Kickers' victory next game!