The Houston Dynamo played the Los Angeles Galaxy at PNC stadium in Houston, Oct. 9. Fans from both sides showed up to support their teams, but Houston fans stood out the most.
Diesel, the Houston Dynamo mascot, hypes up the crowd during the match at PNC stadium in Houston, Oct. 9. UP photo by Brian Quijada.
About half an hour before every match, the Dynamo fan group and band, “El Batallon,” performs for the fans with their cadences and chants. The crowd grows louder as game time gets closer. Apart from the orange and black El Batallón shirts, one also sees a variety of jerseys such as USMNT jerseys, El Salvador jerseys, and Mexico jerseys. El Batallón is as diverse as Houston itself.
El Batallon have their own section in the stadium, right behind the left goal and in front of the scoreboard. There they hang up flags and banners, including one that states “somos pocos pero locos,” which translates to, “We’re small, but crazy.” There is a mix of national flags such as Mexico and El Salvador represented, and even a pride flag.
During the match, all one can hear is the drums and trumpets playing while the echo of the chants is heard throughout the stadium. This is reminiscent of the chants heard in other soccer leagues such as Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico. Latin culture is heavy in Houston.
This offseason, the Dynamo signed Mexican player Hector Herrera, which attracted a lot of Mexican fans to the club. Herrera plays for the Mexican national team and previously played for Atlético de Madrid in Spain’s La Liga. Dynamo also has players from El Salvador, Colombia, Paraguay and Panama. Signing these players has helped bring more diversity to Houston, and its fanbase.
Dynamo superfan and Houston native, Javier Esparza, dresses up like popular WWE wrestler, Rey Misterio, with a Houston Dynamo twist, at almost every game. Esparza loves the atmosphere in Houston.
“I come and represent our Houston teams,” he said. “Just the fans and the environment. I mean, as you can see, all the love and support that you get here, that’s why I do this, because I love it and it’s just in my heart.”
Javier Esparza (Rey Mysterio) poses for a picture during the match at PNC stadium in Houston, Oct. 9. UP photo by Brian Quijada.
Although the Dynamo had a rough season, finishing in 13th place in the Western Conference, the fans always showed up to support their team. That’s the beauty of soccer — no matter the circumstances, one will always hear the chants and cadences echo throughout the stadium.
Dynamo fans cheer Hector Herrera as he enters the game at PNC stadium in Houston, Oct. 9. UP photo by Brian Quijada.
Come next spring, when the new season starts, El Batallon will break out the flags and songs and start anew with hope.