Fan of the Month: November 2017

Introduce yourself- name, occupation, team and how long you’ve been a football fan?

Susannah Collins; host/reporter for MLSSoccer.com. I’ve been a football fan since 2005.

How has NYC’s football culture evolved and what’s hot in the New York football and fashion scene right now? Top tourist tip?

It’s amazing to see people walking around the city sporting NYCFC and Red Bulls gear. I feel like every day I see an uptick in soccer being represented in the city, whether it’s signage on the subway, people wearing jerseys, or conversations on the street. The rise of Athleisure wear has really amplified the football fashion scene as well. Pretty much everyone in the city has a pair of Adidas Superstars or Stan Smiths! There’s also a wave of cool football lifestyle brands like Bumpy Pitch, Reigning Champs, and Talisman hats that are putting out fashion forward soccer gear. And with teams like NYCFC doing cool collaborations with Mitchell & Ness, it’s bringing soccer awareness to not only football fans but young, cool city dwellers who want to be on the forefront of trends.

Where do you fit in the scene and how is your work having an impact/ making a difference?

As one of a few female voices in the North American soccer landscape, it’s really cool to be able have a presence in this sphere. I host a weekly recap show for MLS as well as a show called BTW that takes players off the field and showcases their personalities. Since a lot of these MLS players aren’t really known outside of the league, I have a unique opportunity to introduce people to some incredible athletes who have compelling stories. It’s one of the best parts of the job.

What makes the football culture in NYC unique and sets it apart from the rest of the world? How involved and visible are female fans? 

New York City is one giant melting pot, right? It’s so cool to be in the city when international tournaments are going on because you’ll see groups of fans from every different country gathering in bars to support their national team. Soccer becomes an awesome unifier in that sense. And in my experience I can say without hesitation that female soccer fans are incredibly visible and involved. 34% of MLS fans are female which is the largest percentage of female fans amongst all North American professional sports leagues. When I’ve worked with supporters groups, more often then not the president or point of contact is a woman. It’s an awesome trend that I think will only continue to grow.

Favourite player, brand, relevant space and why? Do you have any interesting football rituals?

My favorite player of all time is Steven Gerrard, as I’m a die hard Liverpool fan. I’m a huge Adidas nut as well. I love to watch soccer, especially Liverpool matches, at a bar in my neighborhood. There’s nothing like starting a Saturday with a dose of the Reds and a good bloody mary at 9am haha.

How much does it cost to be football fan and follow a team in NYC (with examples and dollar amounts)? Is it worth it in your opinion?

It’s relatively affordable to be a football fan in NYC. Ticket prices are totally reasonable, you can watch a match for under $30 usually. And since you can travel to both Red Bull Arena and Yankee Stadium via public transportation that cuts down the cost as well. An $8 beer will set you back for sure but I definitely think it’s worth it.

What do you predict and/or what to see happen in NYC’s football culture in the next 5 years?

It’s only going to get bigger and better. I’m excited to be a part of it.

Interview Felicia Pennant

Photographer JF Turton

Stylist Delwyn Perez

Shoot Direction Rodrigo a Salazar soccersenseis.com