By @SAdyson
There is no doubt that the Hounds as an organization made great strides this offseason. From affiliating with the Houston Dynamo to bolstering the roster, the Hounds FO has shown a commitment to improve in the 2014 season.
As the new year approaches, we present a 2014 “wish-list” of things we would like to see happen in the 2014 season.
5. Smoke
Smoke and supporters’ groups go together like peanut butter and chocolate. After Andrew Stockey from WTAE did a feature on the Steel Army, Highmark Stadium was swift to ban the use of smoke-producing devices in the supporters’ section.
Blue smoke pouring out of section 202 is a sight to be seen. The fans love it, and the players love it even more. When Matthew Dallman took over the Hounds’ Twitter feed and was asked what gets him pumped up doing a game:
— PghRiverhounds (@PghRiverhounds) June 13, 2013
Kutney has alluded to smoke coming up in offseason discussions:
@SteelArmy ideas flowing for 2014 enhancements #smokebombsolution?
— Jason Kutney (@JasonKutney) December 14, 2013
Let’s hope that the Riverhounds can make it happen.
4. Tailgate Port-A-Potties
As much as we like pooping in buckets in tents in the east lot, port-a-potties would be a much-welcomed addition to tailgating for the 2014 season.
If the Army did not have to rush to the restrooms as soon as it enters the stadium, it would allow members to fill Section 202 earlier and maintain a presence to intimidate the visiting team prior to kickoff.
3. Bigger, Better Tifo
What is tifo? Well, the first rule of tifo, is that you don’t talk about tifo.
Tifo is a visual display produced by supporters’ groups to show their dedication to the home team. For instance, this tifo was the last display for the 2013 Riverhounds season:
This year, we would like to go bigger and better. We have explored investing in retractable flag poles. We would also like to do tifo displays more frequently.
This will take more time, and more money. Hopefully with more Steel Army members participating next season, we will be able to make our tifos more elaborate and intimidating.
2. A Fuller, More Rowdy General Admission Section
The experience in Section 202 during the 2013 home opener at Highmark Stadium was unlike anything that we had ever experienced as soccer supporters in Pittsburgh. The noise never stopped, and the beer never stopped flowing.
This experience was rivaled only by the crowd at the Wigan friendly. Several players on the Hounds roster often go back to that game when they reference the intense atmosphere at the Highmark.
In 2014, we would like to see not only a stronger atmosphere in the 202, but also in the entire general admission section as a whole.
1. A USL-PRO Championship
The team has stated on several instances that its goal is to enter the MLS.
The thing that we want most for this team is to win. More wins bring more fans, and more fans bring a better atmosphere to the Highmark.
Orlando steadily built its support by enjoying consistent success in the regular season and playoffs. The Hounds need to do the same.
2014 will be championship or bust for the Hounds. It will be their chance to show us whether they are committed to being the top-dog in USL-PRO.
#UNLEASH
