The biggest soccer crowd in the United States this past weekend wasn't from Major League Soccer. It was USL club FC Cincinnati, who hosted Premier League team Crystal Palace and drew a crowd of 35,061 at Nippert Stadium, leading the weekend attendance by almost 10,000, per The Telepgraph.
All you have to do is see what Crystal Palace coach Alan Pardew said to appreciate that crowd that the third division team had.
"Tonight wasn't about the football, really," he said after the 2-0 win. "It was about this club, and the way the whole place was unbelievable tonight. Never experienced anything like it in my life for preseason. It was like a cup final. It was brilliant. This club is fantastic."
Pards was full of praise for last night's opponents and revealed his hopes of a re-match in the future. #CPFCTOUR16https://t.co/NzaDq1IsyD
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) July 17, 2016
That's some high praise from a popular, experienced manager. And it's a great sign that this club continues to receive unbelievable support from the fans. With ambitious of moving to MLS, this helps big time.
Now, I have no idea who heads the ticket sales at FC Cinci, but I can only imagine they look something like this right now.
Happy birthday to @CPFC boss Alan Pardew. Bet the dance floor at your party was a sight to behold! pic.twitter.com/Es7sm8GD7a
— Wembley Stadium (@wembleystadium) July 18, 2016
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