Eibar's US fans mobilise for club's first N.American tour

Eibar’s first trip to the USA, as part of the LaLiga World Tour, has caused great excitement among fans of the Basque club stateside. Jose Luis Mendilibar’s men will play games against the Philadelphia Fury in Philadelphia on May 22, and against the New York Cosmos in Las Vegas on May 26.

For the first Eibar supporters’ club to have been set up in the States, California-based Peña EibarUSA, it is a particularly important visit. “It’s a fine reward for an amazing season in which the club secured their objective of safety with many games to spare,” said John Sager of EibarUSA. “The players have performed amazingly, and represented the ideals of the club on and off the pitch. It has been a great season.” 

Sager was keen to point out the USA was one of the main countries that heeded Eibar’s call for investors to buy shares in the club two years ago: “I believe the SD Eibar model appeals very much to Americans. I would like to quote our member, Henry Boguslavsky from what he said in the book ‘Eibar the Brave’ by Euan McTear: "Eibar is the ultimate underdog story and we Americans love supporting an underdog Cinderella-type story”.” Sager, quoting himself from the same book, said: “Eibar have a spirit that cuts to the heart of football which makes the sport about something more than money." 

“The trip is important for cultural reasons because of the American-Basque relationship,” he continued. “Basques have been historically important in the maritime sector, so have a natural propensity for travel. Many have left their homeland for the USA (and the rest of the Americas). In particular, the Western states have a huge Basque population. I am very excited!”  

He added: “A few EibarUSA members have travelled to Spain to see the club play, including myself and Jonathan Fritsch, who got engaged on the pitch at Ipurua." 

"Personally, I am flying out from Sacramento to attend the Philly events, and then to Las Vegas for the Meet and Greet. About 20-30 people will be in Philly representing EibarUSA so far, all first-time viewers of the team.”