In a tight match, sometimes a little extra-special encouragement from the home faithful can make all the difference.
On Saturday night, the Colorado Rapids' Centennial 38 supporters group unveiled an enormous tifo that not only inspired their team and turned heads around MLS, but may have also given the league's hottest team a slogan for their upstart season.
Featuring the famously pugnacious comic character Andy Capp, C38's message stretched more than half the length of the touchline behind the north goal at Dick's Sporting Goods Park and urged the home side to “Keep Fighting.” The Rapids did just that, edging Rocky Mountain Cup rivals Real Salt Lake, 1-0, to extend their hot streak and stay in first place in the overall league standings.
Afterwards head coach Pablo Mastroeni cited the tifo as a major factor in his squad's dogged display.
“The guys from C38 really put things into perspective before the game,” Mastroeni told reporters. “The tifo that said 'Keep Fighting.' What I tell guys all the time is we’re always the underdogs here. You’ve got to believe until the very end.”
Sure enough, several tweets from Colorado's Twitter account, as well as those of staff and players, have featured the #KeepFighting hashtag.
Elsewhere around the league, Toronto FC supporters group the Red Patch Boys marked the debut of their dramatically remodeled BMO Field home with a Mötley Crüe-flavored tribute to star striker and reigning MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco and his motorcycle goal celebration:
The Atomic Ant didn't get to roll out his trademark rev-up with goal of his own, but he did notch the assist on Tsubasa Endoh's game-winner in the 1-0 defeat of FC Dallas.
Did we miss any memorable tifo displays from MLS Week 10? Share your favorites in the comments section below.
