Soccer fans ready for NYCFC opener at Yankee Stadium

When Major League Soccer announced the addition of a second franchise in the New York area to begin play in 2015, local soccer fans immediately began pledging their allegiance. Only, the players wouldn't take the field for two years.

So, what's it like to be an avid supporter of the New York City FC even though the team has never played a game? Blogs for the yet-to-be-named team popped up; fans started Facebook groups; and some of the more proactive future fans even organized a meeting at a Midtown soccer bar.

"I remember sitting there beforehand and wondering if anyone else was going to show up," says Chance Michaels, a soccer fan from Brooklyn. "Are other people as excited as I am?"

Michaels wasn't alone. The meeting started what would eventually become The Third Rail, a supporters group for New York City FC that now has more than 1,700 members. All this is for a club that is only one game into its existence after opening the season with a tie against Orlando City, another expansion franchise, on March 11.

With the club set to take over Yankee Stadium for its home opener on Sunday, area soccer fans who have been patiently waiting for its arrival are ready to see their blind faith pay off.

"We didn't even have players or a coach, and people wanted to be a part of it," says Eddy Serna, a Third Rail member and season ticket holder from Yonkers. "How many times do you get to say, 'Hey I was there from the start?'"

As much as the team is branded as a city entity, NYCFC will have a Westchester presence. The club entered into an agreement with Purchase College to use its athletic facilities for practice through 2016 while it searches for a permanent facility. NYCFC previously had an agreement in place with Manhattanville College, but had to withdraw its proposal after opposition from local residents.

Under the agreement with Purchase College, training is not open to the public and renovations to the grounds, including upgrading locker rooms and installing new turf, was solely paid for by the club. The schools says funds from the agreement are going toward scholarships and the club is offering 10 internships available to students.

"There's a buzz around campus about having them here," says Purchase College athletic director Chris Bisignano.

Elsewhere around the county, excitement for the club continues to grow.

John Alev, a Bronxville native, is one of the Third Rail members responsible for creating a Westchester sub group. He estimates there are between 100-150 members of the organization that live in Westchester. Among Alev's tasks: finding a good Westchester soccer bar to be officially recognized as a Third Rail affiliate. NYCFC's official pubs for Westchester are Ron Blacks Beer Hall in White Plains and Danny Macs in Yonkers.

While most casual soccer fans know supporters groups as those flaunting colorful banners and fueling vocal sections of stadiums, The Third Rail is using its resources to provide charity work — outside of organizing game day antics and watch parties, of course. During the holiday season, the group helped collect and distribute soccer equipment to New York communities and continue to develop new charitable initiatives as membership grows.

"We're really about building our sport as a whole, not just our team," Alev says.

On game day, you can expect to find Yankee Stadium's newest bleacher creatures setting the tone for the franchise from the opening kick.

"We've got people from all over the city and tri-state area who are excited about the prospect of building something together," says Michaels, who now serves as the Third Rail's president.

"Supporters groups are key in soccer," says Brian Amaya, a Third Rail member from Yonkers. "When people see the Third Rail's organization, the displays and camaraderie, I think people are really going to be impressed."

Turf war

Professional soccer has a long history in New York, from the world-famous New York Cosmos of the 70s and 80s led by soccer icon Pele to MLS's New York/New Jersey MetroStars of Giants Stadium. When the MetroStars changed their team name to the New York Red Bulls in 2006, they were the region's only option for pro soccer fans.

"I know people that would watch the Red Bulls but weren't really fans," says Todd Pagello, a Thornwood native and Red Bulls fan. "I guess because it's closer to Westchester now they're saying they're going to be NYCFC fans."

Alev, a former Red Bulls season ticket holder, switched allegiances partly because of NYCFC plays closer to home.

According to Red Bulls General Manager Marc de Grandpre, about one-third of Red Bulls season ticket holders come from New York; and for individual game ticket buyers and group ticket buyers, the numbers "move closer to 50 percent." Approximately 15 percent of those New York ticket buyers come from Westchester and Rockland counties.

Pagello is a member of the Empire Supporters Club — a group that has cheered on the franchise since the MetroStars days — and started to follow the team when it acquired coveted French striker Theirry Henry and moved into their new stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, in 2010. He says some Red Bulls fans immediately disliked the idea of another team in the area.

"NYCFC comes in and they're getting more media attention than the Red Bulls already," Pagello says. "The Red Bulls are now going to be the equivalent to what the Jets are to the Giants, Islanders to Rangers, Nets to Knicks: they're kind of the second team."

Regardless of status, soccer is selling in New York.

NYCFC has sold more than 15,000 season tickets and had to open the upper deck at Yankee Stadium due to high demand for the home opener. But that has not affected Red Bulls ticket sales, according to the team.

"We are at an all-time high for season ticket sales at Red Bull Arena, including a double-digit percentage increase year-to-date," de Grandpre says. "For our home opener, we are outpacing ticket sales and revenue year-to-date versus last year's home opener."

Regardless of what the final ticket-sale numbers will be, the local rivals are sure to draw a massive crowd when they square off in New Jersey on May 10.

If You Go

What: New York City Football Club vs. New England Revolution

Where: Yankee Stadium, 1 E. 161st St., Bronx

When: 5 p.m. March 15

Tickets: www.nycfc.com