Who Are Ya?!
Who is Mr_RedBull?
The nickname was given to me by my friends and teammates in 2006, the same year Red Bull energy drink bought The NY/NJ MetroStars soccer team. The hype around re-branding the franchise got me really excited.
I would take the free promotional flyers from the Red Bulls games and hand them out at school, slip them into students’ lockers, and constantly talk about the team. People joked that it seemed I was being paid by the team to promote them.
MySpace Profile Pic! 😂
My obsession with the team was well known. Even after the hype settled, with the team’s results not matching the expectations, it didn’t change my feelings. People asked why I still stuck with them.
It felt as if I was the only fan of the team in my school. There weren’t many who shared the same love or followed them as closely. So, I was that guy. That hardcore Red Bulls fan.
And that’s how Mr_RedBull came about.
The first pic was April 2007, when they had the flag giveaway. The “cape” I still wear to every home game
The last pic was October 2009, final Red Bulls game at Giants Stadium
Background
Born into a Colombian family means fútbol runs in your veins. You're taught from a young age which team you support and what colors you rep. Having an uncle who played fútbol professionally in his hometown in Colombia made it easier to pick a side.
Except when the national team plays. Whether you’re watching on TV or in person, it’s a reason to celebrate and show off your national pride.
Family at Giants Stadium to watch Colombia
My earliest memory of experiencing that pride was seeing the Colombian National Team win the 2001 Copa America as the host nation. They’d also visit Giants Stadium and we wouldn’t miss the opportunity to go, making the entire trip a party from the tailgate to inside the arena.
Going to the stadium was a special occasion for us as a family. I cherished every moment I went to see Colombia or The MetroStars. The atmosphere, the energy, the thrills - the feeling was magical.
Sitting on the edge of your seat anticipating that one moment we all want to witness, to then yell at the top of your lungs and rejoice with those around you. It’s a feeling that will never get old and keeps me going back for more.
2006
The few times we’d go to a MetroStars game was because my parents would get free tickets. Besides that, we didn’t really keep up with them. I had other interests and was too young to fully follow the team, the players, and the league.
Growing up I was more of a casual fan and played fútbol for fun. I played on recreational teams, at school during recess, and kicked the ball around with my friends.
Summer of 2006. While World Cup was one month away, RBNY was handling European giants Bayern Munich, winning 4-2
Red Bull created a buzz around the team I had never seen or felt. As sad as it was to lose the tradition of the MetroStars with its colors, jerseys, and team name, the thought of starting fresh and creating new traditions was welcomed. However there was excitement already brewing that year knowing that in June the world would turn its attention to Germany.
That summer’s World Cup in Deutschland was the first World Cup I fully soaked in from start to finish. From skipping school to watch the opening day with my uncle, to learning about the countries and their star players, and seeing memorable moments played out throughout the tournament. I also caught the “fever” of trying to collect all the stickers and complete the World Cup Panini Album.
I was learning to live and breathe the beautiful game.
A Call to Arms
Fast forward almost 10 years later, to November 2015. We have a brand new stadium to call home, two 1st-place regular season titles, and what was at the moment, the best team in our franchise’s history. We were two games away from reaching and hosting the MLS Cup final.
I was introduced to the Viking Army Supporters Club by a fellow Colombian fraternity brother, Andres, with who I shared a lot in common. He introduced me to a different fan lifestyle that I didn’t know much about.
Pre-2015 with Andres & some fraternity brothers
My first exposure to this was in 2009 when I snuck into Section 101 with the “crazy, loud fans” to watch a game. By the end of it, I was chanting along with them.
Since that experience, I would find myself back in the rowdy section a handful of times. I would mostly sit in random seats with my family wherever we could get tickets, but there was a problem. Those sections were too quiet for me and I couldn’t sit still. I needed to express my emotions as the game went on and let them out by singing and chanting.
So when Andres invited me on an 8-hour bus road trip to Ohio for a playoff game with Viking Army (VA), I couldn’t say no. The camaraderie, the devotion, and the open arms I experienced from them made me feel like I belonged. This group of people that supported their team, regardless of the distance, time, and weather, were true supporters.
This was my calling.
The first pic is with Andres (R) tailgating in Ohio in 10-degree weather!
The rest are post-2015 with fraternity brothers in the supporters’ section
Becoming a Supporter
In 2017 I officially joined VA; the same year I fulfilled a dream of mine by becoming a Season Ticket Holder. That meant game day routines were starting to change, one being showing up hours before kick-off to tailgate. I wanted to get more exposure to the culture and see what it took to become one of them.
When I first purchased season tickets & became a RED Member, Aug 2016
I joined them more frequently on the bus trips to local rivals like Philly, D.C., New England, and NYC. I’ve also driven separately with other supporters to further cities like Toronto and Montreal in Canada. The ultimate trip though is flying cross-country, when we were lucky enough to see them play in Seattle and Portland three days apart.
There are rules for being in the South Ward supporters’ section during the game. You’re there to be loud and cheer on the boys in Red. However, for the dedicated supporters there are additional responsibilities: to sing and chant for 90+ minutes and hold those around you accountable to follow along.
All that came naturally to me and I had fun doing it. Until leaders of VA gave me an opportunity of the highest honor and privilege within the supporters’ section - being a Capo. That meant standing on the perch at the bottom of the section, with your back to the field facing the crowd to lead them in the chants. Never did I imagine myself with this massive responsibility.
I took the role by the horns (pun intended) and learned as much and as quickly as possible to help in guiding Section 102 during the games. By 2022, I had become a full-time Capo. VA has completely changed my gameday experience at the stadium which now cannot be changed. I’m forever grateful and indebted to them for everything they’ve done for me and my family.
I’m no longer a hardcore fan. I’ve become a true die-hard supporter. A Viking Army Supporter of the South Ward, for the New York Red Bulls.
