Arsenal vs Everton 

On July 16th, over 40,000 Premier League fans flocked to Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium to watch a rare Premier League match up on the East Coast between Arsenal F.C. and the Everton ‘Toffees’.

As big fans of the Premier League ourselves, my brother and father and I joined the crowds to enjoy a great game between 2 of the biggest football clubs in the world. We first headed to a pregame block party hosted by the Baltimore Gooners, the local Arsenal fan club. I was immediately surprised at the number of people who had turned out to celebrate the occasion. The term ‘friendly’ applied not only to the game - which was more of a workout than a competition (certainly not a close one, sorry Blues), but also to the many fans who were clearly excited to watch what for many was their first Premier League match-up. Although the block was unmistakably Red, many fans sported jerseys from their own favorite team and enjoyed the opportunity to discuss Premier League and football news or kick around a ball with fellow passionate followers of the sport. The atmosphere was undeniable, even a pouring rain storm could not bring the people down.

About an hour before the game kicked off, dozens of fans walked from the block party to the M&T Bank Stadium. Again, the pure number of people piling into the stadium was surprising to me. Red and Blue Jerseys flowed in from the streets and the parking lots into the grand arches of the Raven’s home turf. The crowds were so full that many of the concession stands ended up selling out of food by 60th minute. Both teams started their strongest squads in the first half, and the mood around the stadium was electric. Aside from the cheering, one could also hear many fans explaining the rules of soccer and identifying star players to their uninitiated friends.

The game ended with a 2-0 win for Arsenal thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.