Supporting From The Windy City
Kacee, United States
We collaborated with Manchester City to capture the passion and diversity of the City fanbase in the United States before the club embarked on its FIFA Club World Cup journey. We share the personal stories of City supporters across six US cities, highlighting the unique ways they support the team.
Kacee is a Manchester City fan from Chicago. She is a creator and live event host in football and gaming, working with organisations including Manchester City and EA Sports.
My name is Kacee, and I am from Chicago, Illinois. I am a creator and live event host in football and gaming, working with Man City and EA Sports. My football journey has been interesting. I only played when I was young, but mostly I have been a fan. I grew up watching my local clubs, Chicago Fire FC, Chicago Red Stars, and the US men’s and women’s teams. In college at DePaul University, I fell in love with Manchester City.
Falling In Love With Man City
I was always impressed with Pep Guardiola as a manager at Barcelona and Bayern. When he went to City, I knew it would be a club I would always support. I love how he dared to be different in the league and play a different style of football. I also love his attention to detail. Watching players like Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure, and Vincent Kompany was exciting for me.
My first City game was on a summer tour in Chicago against Dortmund. I was in awe to see them play live for the first time. City did not win, but I saw Foden and Mahrez play live, so I was buzzing.
Funnily enough, the first game I saw City play at the Etihad Stadium was also against Dortmund. It was a Champions League group-stage game where Haaland scored one of the most athletic goals I have ever seen. Man City won that game 2-1, and being with the fans in Manchester felt like home. I traveled eight hours from Chicago to London and took another two-hour train to Manchester, and it was so worth it to be in that stadium.
Windy City Blues
Being a Man City fan in Chicago is fun. There are so many passionate fans here in the Windy City. The official Chicago Supporters Club is a dedicated group, and even though it is often difficult with those 6:30 AM games, they show up for every single one at AJ Hudson’s.
AJ Hudson's is a football lover's dream, and matches there are always jam-packed with fans. There is always an exciting buzz in the room during the games. Every single wall is decked out in different club memorabilia. In addition to Man City, it is the home of multiple football club supporter groups in Chicago.
For the most part, Man City games are on very early here. Whether it is 6:30 AM or an 11:00 AM match, I am awake and ready to cheer them on. I start with a cup of coffee, and I either watch at AJ Hudson’s or host a live watch party on Twitch with my online community. Either way, I am always ready to rep City in sky blue.
I had the pleasure of hosting the Trophy Tour watch party in Chicago, where a great group of supporters showed up with high energy. They know all the chants just like everyone in Manchester. It is great to see the support all the way across the world for our club.
Love And Passion For The Club
Man City has a great influence on the City of Chicago. In 2012, the team partnered with the Pritzker Traubert Family Foundation to build a new turf field that kids and adults can play on year-round. It provides a place for kids and families to share their love of football.
When Man City comes to Chicago, whether for big matches or the Trophy Tour, it has been great to see the love and passion for the club here. Chicago Man City fans are passionate with a special love for the club, even though they are thousands of miles away from Manchester.
When listening to a crowd of Man City fans, they sound like they came right out of Manchester because they know every single club chant - just with an American accent.
I love sharing both high and low moments with other City fans here. My favorite memory with Chicago supporters is when we had a special meet and greet with Shaun Wright-Phillips at AJ Hudson’s. Chatting with fans and friends about how much we love the club and our favorite football memories was so much fun.
Esports, Fandom, and Friendship
As an official creator for Man City Esports, I create gaming content on all my social platforms and host watch parties with my community on Twitch. I also have the opportunity to present and host different content shoots with Man City players. I am in my third season, and each year it gets better. I have travelled to Japan, Korea, and all over the US for preseason tours. Making content with the club I love has been a dream.
Connecting with other fans on Twitch has been special. I was inspired to stream on Twitch because I wanted to create a community of people who love football and Man City - a community that comes together to have fun on the platform. I love that I have created a space online for fans to share their fandom with me. My community has some of the best banter, and we love joking around during my live streams.
I am super lucky to have met FG through Man City Esports. He is another creator based in Manchester and has been a City fan his entire life. I am so grateful that we have become friends across the world by supporting the same club. Whether on the preseason tour, doing a content shoot in Manchester, or at the EA FC broadcasts, it is always a pleasure to work with him.
City Recommendations In Chicago
I recommend that any City fans visiting Chicago catch a game at AJ Hudson's, as it is the best football pub in Chicago!
They can also gear up at Saturdays Football or Chicago Soccer shops, which sell vintage and new City gear.
Finally, if they are looking to kick around, they can play at Haas Park or the Fire Pitch, as both are two of many amazing football pitches in Chicago.
