The home opener is this weekend and we’re running around like kids on Christmas. Whether you’re a new member or a returning one, we have a bunch of information to make sure you know for Saturday.
First and foremost tickets are still available. Tell your friends to quit complaining about the cold and drag their butts down to the game!
Tailgate
Our tailgate starts at 2pm in the west lot between the Fort Pitt Bridge and Highmark Stadium. If you’re crazy enough to come earlier then hats off to you. We’ll in the same area as last year, roughly the blue section of the above map.
Parking
It’s a little weird to have to talk about this, but the parking people at Station Square can be real jagoffs sometimes. Particularly about being in the isle. We figured out a little trick with smaller cars last year that gives us some extra space and keeps everyone happy. We recommend you take advantage of it. The parking spaces are rather long, so if you and a buddy park in the center isle, and pull up as far as possible, you can give yourself a good 4 feet of party room.
Parking was a flat $6 last year, and as far as we know that won’t change this season.
Bathrooms
Took a while but we finally got port-a-johns during the second half of last season. Unfortunately it doesn’t look like they’ll be back. The Hounds have said the bar restroom will be available to use. Presumably it’ll be the same procedures of having to show your ticket, but once gates open no reentry. Hopefully it’s not too much of a hassle.
Food
As always we’ll have communal food tables. Feel free to bring something to share. PLEASE NOTE WE ARE NOT SAVING ANYTHING! When it’s time to pack up and march in we are pitching everything, INCLUDING CONTAINERS. If you want your left overs or your tupperware back you MUST get it during the break down and take it back to your car.
The March
We will be marching into the stadium at 6:30pm SHARP. This means tailgate breakdown will probably be 6:10-ish. We need to make sure we get in and to our section in time for player announcements and the anthem. Plus we all got those free drink coupons to use.
Last year we experimented with routes but never really found a great one. We’ve decided to go back to the oldie but goodie of going around the stadium along the Station Square Drive sidewalk and in through the East Gate. Lines be damned.
MERCH
We’ll have a merch table set up at the tailgate. Available are- Membership packages (~40 remaining), the bridge scarf, koozies ($2 ea), and sign ups for the Rochester bus trip (SA membership required). If you were on the first run of membership jackets you can also pick up your jacket at the table. It’ll be a cold one so you’ll probably need it and a scarf!
First Goal / Last Goal Raffle
The ever popular first goal / last goal raffle is back. It’s $1 an entry for as many entries as you want. Draw a ticket and that number represents a minute in the game. If the first goal, or last goal, by any team is scored within that minute, you win! (Don’t forget, for example, the 37th minute doesn’t mean 37:00-38:00, it’s actually 36:00-37:00) 1/3 of the pot goes to first goal, 1/3 to the last, and 1/3 to the Steel Army coffers. The prize pool carries over in the event of a draw or an unclaimed ticket. Dan runs this raffle and will make an announcement when tickets are available. See him for any questions.
Inside the Stadium
Section Move
We’re moving a little! It’s been discussed in the past about sliding over to section 203. This year we’re pulling the trigger on it. It’s not a major change, but it will help us be a little more visible (especially on the stream). Plus if we want the team to give us a standing terrace this is where they want to do it. It was an easy sell. Moving a little also has the nice side effect of putting us a smidge further away from where families tend to sit, so if we become a little too rowdy from all the free drinks it won’t be as much of an issue. Not that we had any problems last year, but just in case.
Songs and Chants
Learn them, love them, lose your voice with them.
You may notice a larger song towards the bottom called “Pittsburgh Town”. For a while now we’ve been thinking about having a song to sing at the end of games ala You’ll Never Walk Alone, Forever Blowing Bubbles, the song Real Salt Lake has, etc, but we haven’t really found one that clicked. Pittsburgh Town is the current contender that we’d like to give a try. If it sticks it sticks, if it doesn’t then we’ll keep looking.
These are just the start. We’ll undoubtedly come up with more during the season. If you have an idea for a song or chant let us know.
Finally, while we do have a CAPO during games, if there’s a lull by all means start something up.
Keystone Cup
Everyone who follows European soccer knows how big a derby is. This is no different. We’ve wanted to do a cup for a while now and we’re excited one is finally starting up. The Keystone Derby has been in name only the last few seasons, but now we have some hardware up for grabs! We’ve always considered Harrisburg our biggest rivals. Playing them for the home opener this season was especially big. Now with a cup it’s going to be ratcheted up to 11! So bring your friends and your best singing voice. It’s going to be a hell of an evening.
#UNLEASH
