The Rise of Safe Standing in American Soccer
The global stereotype of American soccer is that it lacks passionate fans. Supporters of MLS teams are mocked around the globe simply for supporting their local club. However, we know better. Concrete evidence of the true supporters culture that is emerging in the states can be found in the supporter sections of new soccer specific stadiums (SSS) springing up across the nation. Almost all new SSSs come complete with safe-standing for the supporters. For those unfamiliar (though i'm sure you all are by now) safe-standing is a design in stadiums that allow fans to safely stand the entire game (as supporters do). The concept is widely used in Europe and South America although fear of this idea spread after the Hillsborough disaster in which 96 Liverpool fans were killed after being crammed into a no-seat section in 1989 (safe-standing is not to blame for the incident, but the design was still banned in the UK and in UEFA competitions). The fear-mongering of English officials hav