By: Javier Mico-Crump
Quotes from Juan García and Argeniz Mansfield have been translated into English from Spanish. The Spanish version of the article is available here.
Even before kickoff, the sounds of La Barra Real’s drums and trumpets echo around America First Field on gamedays. Since its founding in 2009, the Hispanic supporters group has brought an unmistakable energy to the stands, jumping, waving flags and chanting in support of Utah’s soccer teams from the opening whistle to the final moments of play. Their presence has become a cornerstone of gamedays in Sandy, creating a vibrant atmosphere for fans and an energized environment for players. For members of La Barra, soccer is everything, and it's their collective passion for the game that has sparked something greater off the pitch – a new community, sense of belonging, and desire to share and promote hispanic culture.
Juan García, who was born in Nayarit, Mexico before moving to Utah in 2008, has been directing La Barra Real’s music since the group was founded 17 years ago. A soccer fan since his youth, García played in the Mexican third division before moving to the U.S., where he instantly fell in love with his new hometown team, Real Salt Lake. Just a year after he joined La Barra, RSL won the 2009 MLS Cup Final, and despite all the highs and lows that have followed, García is still committed in his support nearly 20 years later.
“On gamedays, I’m up at 10 in the morning getting ready, preparing the drinks and organizing the instruments,” said García. “I won't stop from 10 in the morning until 11 at night when the game ends. I have to make sure everything is ready so that when the musicians arrive, their drums are ready for them to start playing. I love it, it makes me happy.”
For Argeniz Mansfield, a Veracruz, Mexico native who moved to Utah 15 years ago, joining La Barra Real in 2012 was almost therapeutic. The joy and community it provided was a way to work through the challenges she faced in her daily life.
“I’ve always liked soccer, but I became more involved with the supporters’ group because I went through a difficult time in my life,” said Mansfield. “I joined the group at the stadium to cheer and support the team, and it helped me a lot to let go of my stress and feel better. La Barra became very special to me, and since then, I’ve never left it.”
For both García and Mansfield, like many other hispanic families, soccer is a way more than just a sport, it's part of their life. In addition to being a way to share their culture, soccer has an ability to unify, create communities and make lifelong memories.
“It's important because soccer is part of our culture and brings us together,” Mansfield said. “Hispanics bring a lot of joy, passion, and heart to the stands. It's wonderful to feel represented and know that we can share our roots while supporting the team.”
While La Barra can have a positive effect off the field, its on-field impact is crucial to Real Salt Lake’s success on game days. The energy they bring can go a long way in motivating the players while simultaneously creating a hostile environment for opposing squads.
“I’m telling you, it makes a big difference because I know several of the players, and I have the privilege of being in contact with Pablo [Mastroeni], the coach,” García stated. “I communicate with him a lot and talk with him often, and he has thanked me. Some of the players have thanked me, too, and they’ve told me, ‘Thank you so much for being there. Without you, none of this would be possible. You create a whole celebration in the stands, and that motivates us. It gives us more energy and makes us want to win the game even more.’”
Chanting for a full 90 minutes when RSL is performing well can be easy, but the task is a lot more difficult when the team is going through hardships. Members of La Barra know, however, that that's when their work is the most important. They take pride in lifting the team up and helping turn negative streaks into wins.
“People have different mindsets,” García said. “Some have a lower level of morale, while others are more positive. I’ve talked with them, and I tell them that it doesn’t matter if we’re losing or going through a rough patch. We have to keep the atmosphere alive, keep playing the music, and keep cheering on the team. We have to stand by them through the good times and the bad. That’s soccer.”
“It’s really difficult because a lot of people criticize them, saying things like, ‘Oh, no, they’re so bad. The same thing always happens,’” added Mansfield. “But we always defend them. We’re constantly arguing with people, telling them that it doesn’t matter. These things happen. They’re players, they’re human, and they make mistakes. But we’re always there supporting them.”
Despite cheering with La Barra for almost two decades now, García doesn’t plan on slowing down.
“I have a Chilean friend who’s also a Real supporter and last year he told me, ‘Juan, I’m tired of being here. We need to retire now.’ We’ve been thinking about retiring because our bodies just can’t do the same things they could when we were 30 or 35 years old,” García recalled. “But then I stop and think, and I say to myself, ‘No, I don’t know what I would do if I weren’t at the stadium, shouting and cheering with my friends.’ It would be heartbreaking for me to stop going to the stadium. I don’t know how to put it, but I feel happier, more joyful, and less stressed because I have somewhere to go where I can spend 90 minutes being happy, shouting, jumping, and forgetting about work and so many other things. It’s had a significant impact on me, so much so that I’m still here. I’m still here, and I don’t want to retire.”
Beyond the music, the chants and the unwavering support for Real Salt Lake, La Barra Real has become a community where people from all backgrounds can find a place to belong. For its members, the group is about more than supporting a team — it’s about creating a welcoming, family-oriented environment where people can connect through their shared love of soccer. García hopes more people will come to understand that anyone can be part of what they’ve built.
“In our group, everyone is welcome, absolutely everyone, from the youngest to the oldest,” García said. “You don’t need to do anything at all. You just have to show up, be there with us and cheer on the team. All you need is to enjoy the atmosphere because the atmosphere we have here is family-oriented. That's what’s so great about it: it feels like a family.”
