Editor's Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
MAAYAN SCHECHTER, REPORTER:
The heat isn't the only factor making South Carolina see red this week.
On Saturday, Columbia will host a preseason soccer match between Manchester United and Liverpool — two iconic English Premier League teams with worldwide fanbases.
The match, termed “Rivals in Red” after the colors both clubs wear, is a huge event for the Palmetto State and the University of South Carolina, as it will bring a sold out crowd to Williams-Brice Stadium.
Tony Annan, the Gamecock men’s soccer coach, himself born and raised in England, knows the impact this match could have.
SCHECHTER: When you're walking around downtown Columbia, and even around campus, there's banners for the game all over, you have security folks downtown who are wearing red hats, you have restaurant employees who are wearing red shirts highlighting this game. Why is this game such a big deal for people who don't know?
TONY ANNAN: Well, it's two of the biggest brands in world soccer that are coming to Columbia, South Carolina, to play, you know, one of the preseason friendly games that they do on their tours. But for Columbia to get the game and host the game is a big deal. And I think if we do it well and we do it right, we could do similar things in the future. But to have, like I said, two of the biggest brands in world soccer, not just Premier League, in our city is huge for our city in multiple ways.
SCHECHTER: You know, there are hundreds if not thousands of people who are going to be coming to this game who are not fans of either team. You, yourself, I understand, are a Newcastle fan? Is that correct?
ANNAN: That is correct, yeah.
SCHECHTER: So, what does this mean to you as a fan of a different team, or what does that say about the fact that these two teams are coming and you're going to have hundreds, if not thousands of people coming who are not necessarily supportive of either team, but just love soccer or football?
ANNAN: I think it's a big statement that how popular the sport is, not only in the U.S. but in South Carolina, in the surrounding states. People are coming from everywhere. I've been inundated with requests and favors that have been asked of me, obviously, from people I know all over the country. But I hope that the game is an entertaining game for those who are not soccer fans even, or not soccer fans of these teams, so that we can all enjoy it and obviously spread the passion for the sport. That's the hope for me that it really ignites young, old, you know, doesn't matter where you're from, who you are, if it ignites a passion in you and you get the bug that's a benefit for all of us.
SCHECHTER: Yeah, can you elaborate on that a little bit. What do you hope that this does for soccer in South Carolina but also the program, your program here at USC?
ANNAN: Like I said, I think, my hope is that it grips people and the spectacle of that it is, opens their eyes to what soccer can be and, like I said, ignites a passion in them that they want to see more. And then if that trickles down into them coming to USC men's soccer games or women's soccer games, that would be a huge benefit for us to have bigger crowds. We have great crowds, but we'd love to have more, more people in the stands every week. So, the trickle-down effect of them having a good time at Willy B (Williams-Brice Stadium), and then come to the Stone (Eugene E. Stone III Stadium) for games during the season would be awesome.
SCHECHTER: Is there anything in particular that you're most looking forward to? Any particular player, or just crowd reaction, or anything like that?
ANNAN: I'm interested to see how the crowd gets into it. You know, obviously it's not Europe, where there are chants and there are cheers that are, sort of, already in place. I'm interested to see how the crowd really gets into the game. I'm interested to see (Liverpool's) Mo Salah, who's a legend of the game. Casemiro from Man United, who's a midfielder, who's a legend of the game in Europe as well, and Brazil. Yeah, I just think there's so many talented players on show that I think it'll be a great game and a great spectacle for everybody to really get into and get behind.
SCHECHTER: Talking about the difference between here in the U.S. and internationally, obviously this is a SEC school. There is a fanbase of SEC football (fans) that travels from state to state. You have the pageantry of it. Have you found any comparisons between SEC culture and Premier League culture?
ANNAN: Yeah, I have actually. I've said this on a few different times and different occasions, that the fanatical aspect of Gamecock football fans and basketball fans is very similar to the fanatical following that teams have in England and Europe and different places like that.
The fandom of the SEC is very similar to the Premier League, only it's done in a different way. You know, tailgating, and like I said, the event itself being a special event for those football fans. I think it's similar to the European football fan in the way that they are 100% all in on their team. And I love that about obviously Columbia, and I love that about the Gamecocks that our fans are really, really passionate about their teams. So, I think there's a lot of similarities between it.
SCHECHTER: You mentioned that you've been getting a lot of calls. ... What are the questions that people have been asking. What have you been telling them?
ANNAN: Why South Carolina? Why Columbia? Can you get me into the stadium so I can meet the team. Hotel information. Everything from, do you have access to the team? Do you have access to the guys? Where are they training? Can we come watch them? Everybody who, I didn't even know I had friends in those places. Now I do. It's been interesting to see, like I said, how many people want access to this event.
SCHECHTER: I've seen the city is putting on all these kinds of different events. ... Is there any particular event you're doing to preview the game this week?
ANNAN: I'm emceeing an event in Willy B before the game with legends of the game. ... I've obviously got some tailgating stuff to do with different alums. One of our NIL sponsors is doing a tailgate as well. So, I'll be buzzing around. We've also got a few official visits. We capitalized on the game by bringing in some guys to visit campus and see our facilities, but also go to the game. So, that'll tie me up as well. We are about to report for preseason. So, it's just a busy time at the moment. So, getting around and doing everything is going to be impossible, but I'll be around as much as time as well.
SCHECHTER: Are you saying players coming, or coaches coming to look at the facilities?
ANNAN: Players. Prospects, so official visits. They'll be some guys in town for official visits who wanted to go to the game as well.
SCHECHTER: This is really massive for this program. This is a draw in and of itself to the program here at USC.
ANNAN: Absolutely. Absolutely, yeah.
SCHECHTER: South Carolina. South Carolina is hosting this game. Columbia, South Carolina, is hosting this game. I mean, were you shocked to begin with that Columbia got chosen?
ANNAN: Yes, because it's not a major city, which every other game is a major city. But I'm over the moon that they did pick here. And I think Chance Miller kind of forged that relationship with the marketing team of TEG. But they came to the UK football game, which sold them on this could be one of the best venues we could do. If you look at the field that they've put together for this game, it's probably going to be the best field they've played on. Tim Flanagan and his crew, the grounds crew, have been amazing, and they've really took some pride in putting forth the best pitch for them to play on. I think we've done it the best we can, and hopefully we can do it again.
SCHECHTER: Tony, thank you so much for joining me. I appreciate it.
ANNAN: No problem. Thank you.
HOW TO WATCH:
Date: Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: ESPN, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes
For more information about the game, where to park, shuttle services and stadium policies, visit gamecocksonline.com/rivalsinred.
