Cityzens Relish in Unique Opportunity to Watch Training

PURCHASE, N.Y. | Katherine Snedaker said her family purchased New York City FC season tickets and became Founding Members because her youngest son, James, is a Frank Lampard fan.

What Katherine didn’t initially know is how invested in the Club she’d become.

“I did it for my son because he’s a Chelsea and Lampard fan and this is a cheaper option than going to London and now I’m so hooked,” Snedaker said. “We’re fighting over tickets. He’ll want to bring a friend, but I’ll want to bring a friend. He wants to bring three friends this weekend, so I’m getting my own tickets.

“I didn’t expect to get sucked into being such a crazy fan.”

The Snedakers were part of approximately 80 Cityzens who were able to watch New York City FC’s training session on July 29 at SUNY Purchase. Not only did Cityzens watch players like Andrea Pirlo, Mix Diskerud and Josh Saunders from close range on the sidelines, they also took photos with the players and received autographs following the training session.

“We’re huge fans. We look forward to every game,” said Justin MacFarlane, who was in attendance with his son Jack. “To be able to come up to the training facility and see all of these guys and let my son see all of these guys is really cool and we appreciate it.”

Added James Snedaker: “When Pirlo was at Juventus, you wouldn’t be able to get this close to him. He’s just so majestic and it’s amazing to see him this close.”

VIEW: PHOTO GALLERY

Head coach Jason Kreis addressed the Founding Members who redeemed 1,000 Cityzens points for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Kreis also fielded a few questions about training, Pirlo and more during a Q&A session.

“Thank you very much not for just coming here, but for everything you do for this team,” Kreis said to the crowd. “I know from personal experience that the culture the fans establish at the games in the stadiums can often times be the difference between one point and zero points or three points and one point in many, many, many, many games and those points add up over a season to either get you in the playoffs or keep you out.

“I hope that you all feel like you’re a very big part of what we’re doing because I truly believe that you are.”

Despite being a New England Patriots and Boston Bruins fan, MacFarlane, who is originally from Massachusetts, said his soccer allegiance lies within the Five Boroughs with New York City FC.

“This is a team my family can enjoy together and have our kids grow up being fans of,” he said. “People keep asking me if I’m ever not using my tickets to let them know so they can go, but that hasn’t happened. I keep going. There’s no way we’re not going to go to the games. It’s really exciting.”

Katherine Snedaker isn’t only a fan of the gameday experience and on-field product, but she is thankful for the relationship her and her family has with New York City FC on a more personal level.

“I had cancer two years ago and I took my son to a Chelsea game to celebrate that I had recovered,” she said. “I wrote to them but got no response. They’re just so big and I bet a million people write them with cancer stories. In contrast, at New York City FC I know five of the staff members now, people write you back and if you go to an event they know your name.

“It’s incredible to have that relationship with the team. I’m hooked.”