Universidad de Chile FC is one of three soccer clubs in Santiago, Chile. The club began as part of the Universidad de Chile but, when the Pinochet coup happened, was separated from the University. This move was part of the atomization of Universidad de Chile in attempt from the military government to strengthen private universities. During this time period, the club's performance dropped greatly. Now a days, it is one of Chile's most successful clubs. It's biggest rivals being Colo-Colo and Universidad Catolica, two other clubs in Santiago. La U, as they 're more commonly known has the largest fan base in all of Chile. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend one of their games.
The game I attended was La U vs Palestino a team from the northern part of Chile. As I was approaching the stadium one could hear the immense roar of the crowd. There was cheering, and screaming. I was told that this game wasn't even a very important game, but yet the turn out was huge. It was estimated that there were around 35,000 people in the stadium. I wasn't even in the stadium yet and I could already feel the atmosphere as all the fans tried to rush into the stadium to get a good seat. As I entered through the doors going up the stairs into the stands, I could see the ocean of blue as they were cheering and chanting La U. There were flags everywhere, smoke, flares people were going wild and the game hasn't even begun yet. I thought to myself, what's it going to be like when the game begins and if they score. As I was thinking about this the crowd got louder, I look onto the field and the teams are coming on, it's game time. For the majority of the first half, it was filled with a bunch of close calls for both sides and a lot of chanting from the fans. Then with about fifteen minutes left on the clock Palestino scores against La U. The crowd begins to boo and whistle at the opposing team as the players are celebrating. But then shortly after, La U responds with an amazing goal. The crowd goes wild, I'm jumping up and down everyone is celebrating. Then I hear some loud bangs, as flares are being popped off in the celebration. Then early on in the second half La U is given a penalty as a player from the Palistino side fouls one of La U's players. The crowd is yelling and declaring a penalty. Once the player begins to set up the whole stadium goes quiet. I had chills down my spine from the silence of such a huge crowd. Once the goal was scored the silence was as thousands of people began to cheer. I could feel the whole stadium shake as many people were jumping and cheering. My host brother then leaned in and said to me, "This wasn't even an important game; imagine playing one of La U's rivals." With that he left me to imagine how packed and loud it would be.
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