They show up rain or shine, win, lose, or draw. This is the level of commitment that defines the 914th Infantry, Westchester Soccer Club’s official supporters group, and it’s a huge aspect of why they have grown into one of the most significant parts of the club’s identity over the past year and a half.
Where Fans Become Family
For member Scoff Ratliff, being part of the 914th Infantry has always signified something more than being at the games to cheer on the club. It’s about fostering connections with other supporters and with the players.
“The bigger we are, the more impressive the club looks,” Ratliff said.
Ratliff portrays the group’s purpose as being present, loud, and making sure that athletes know they have support at all times from their fans. This support is reflected throughout the relationships that are made with the players and in the experiences they share beyond cheering from the sideline. The 914th Infantry’s enthusiasm and loyalty aren’t confined to just Westchester SC. Most members are fans of other clubs as well, but they have all found something inspiring and special about having a local team to support together; a group they are able to call their own community.
“We are not trying to work for the club, we are trying to work with them,” Ratliff added, explaining how the group is a support system for the club rather than a hierarchical organization. This approach of communicating with one another to make the game day experience better and expand the fan base has been part of the 914th Infantry’s foundation since its start.
The Formation of the 914th Infantry
The fans wasted no time forming this beloved group. It started just weeks after Westchester SC joined USL League One in March of 2024, showing how fast the community came together around the new club. What started as a small gathering of devoted fans has expanded into a group of over 100 members, and it continues to grow throughout the community.
For those involved, the group is about more than the game. It’s an opportunity to represent their community while helping build the club’s culture and identity while sharing it with other fans in the county.
Strong Leadership and Success
Angel Gonzalez, president of the 914th Infantry, has spent the last two years growing the group’s presence and visibility. He describes his role as a simple one: to promote the club and bring in new fans.
This means it is important to rely on community service initiatives and local events to spread awareness of the group and Westchester SC. Gonzalez and the group try to organize and participate in as many community events as possible, such as volunteering, involvement in local partnerships and hosting World Cup watch parties at different venues for the club, all with the goal of strengthening the community and introducing more fans to the club.
Gonzalez highlighted the World Cup watch party, which brought fans together to celebrate the tournament while giving the 914th Infantry another opportunity to showcase their spirit and enthusiasm of the club to their community.
“We want people to come out to the games and have a good time,” Gonzalez said.
Purpose and Future
Whether it’s through game day cheers, community engagement, or watch parties, the 914th Infantry’s mission always remains the same: support Westchester SC through every match, unite people through the shared love for soccer, and continue to grow the group and elevate the soccer culture within the county and state. With more than 100 members already and a calendar filled with events, the 914th Infantry is well positioned to continue growing its family.
