AC Boise, the USL League One expansion club co-owned by our own Seattle Reign defender Sofia Huerta, is absolutely blowing up the attendance charts in their first season. This isn’t just another new team trying to make noise; it’s a full-blown phenomenon, y’all. They’ve already shattered multiple USL and USL League One records for attendance and season ticket deposits *before a ball was even kicked*. We’re talking more than 6,700 deposits and a whopping 7,211 fans showing up for their home opener on April 4 against Spokane Velocity. That’s pure 🔥, and it proves what happens when you build soccer the right way, with the community at its heart.
Boise Built, From Seattle to Idaho
This isn’t some fly-by-night operation looking for a quick buck; it’s about building a real, authentic, and sustainable soccer community in Idaho. And that, my friends, is exactly what Huerta and co-founder Brad Stith, both Boise natives, set out to do when this expansion club was awarded in 2024. Getting the community involved was priority number one, and it’s clearly paying off in spades. Huerta, an NWSL legend with an incredibly accomplished career, actually sees her role in bringing soccer to Boise as one of her biggest accomplishments. Seriously, let that sink in for a second. The all-time leader in assists in NWSL history, *our* Seattle Reign defender, said this: “Now that I’m sitting back and thinking about it when my career is all done, I think I’m probably going to be the proudest of representing my country and then also bringing soccer to Boise, and it’s not going to be anything stats-wise or, you know what I mean? Like, it’s so much deeper than that.” That quote hits different, doesn’t it? It tells you everything about her commitment. It’s not about the individual glory or racking up numbers; it’s about the bigger picture: providing opportunities for youth soccer players that she didn’t have growing up and improving the soccer infrastructure across America as a whole. That’s legacy stuff.
Local Talent, Unbelievable Support
That local representation isn’t just in the ownership box; it’s alive and kicking on the pitch too. The club’s first-ever signing was midfielder Blake Bodily, a Boise native who came in with Major League Soccer experience. His first game with the club? Goosebumps, I bet. He said the support has been “unbelievable,” something they talked about a lot before the season even started, with season tickets selling out completely. This club, led by head coach Nate Miller, is proving that “soccer for Boise by Boise” isn’t just a catchy slogan; it’s a living, breathing philosophy that resonates deeply with the fans. This level of engagement, this genuine local pride, is what keeps supporters coming back long after the initial excitement of a new team wears off, ensuring that long-term success isn’t just a dream, but a real possibility.
AC Boise is gearing up to face Portland Hearts of Pine on Friday night, with the game airing on CBS Sports Network. What’s at stake? It’s not just another game; it’s another chance for this club to show that their record-breaking start is built on something deeper than hype. It’s about continuing to prove that community-first soccer is the future. You gotta love seeing it unfold.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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