Supporter Ink: These fans are representing for their teams, forever | SIDELINE

Supporter ink: Your team-themed tattoos | SIDELINE

Real Salt Lake sugar skull tattoo

As Decision Day rapidly approaches, a number of teams are still fighting to stay above the red line for a shot at the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs. But while passion for clubs is running higher than ever, some of the most devoted wear their pride year-round, no matter the standings.


Yep, we’re talking tattoos—welcome to the first round-up of supporter ink! We asked you all to share photos of your MLS-themed tattoos, and you answered. Here’s a quick selection of some of our favorites. (Wanna share yours? Send an email to feedback@mlssoccer.com.)


A true RSL believer

Supporter Ink: These fans are representing for their teams, forever | SIDELINE - https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/images/rsltattoo.png

Real Salt Lake’s playoffs hopes for the year have faded, but that won’t stop their supporters from believing in the team this Wednesday, when they face off against the Portland Timbers at 9:30 p.m. ET.


Here’s an RSL believer—fan Brian Kramer, who has this to say about his team-centric twist on a sugar skull, done by Greg Kinnamon at Speakeasy Tattoo in Boone, North Carolina:


“Soccer ball eyes use the RSL crest ball and crown from the crest. The eye patch is a nod to Beckerman's old goal celebration covering one eye, and the gold tooth is for the '09 MLS Cup. Also, there’s the Utah state flower at the bottom.”


A nod to Timbers history

Supporter Ink: These fans are representing for their teams, forever | SIDELINE - https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/images/timberstattoo.jpeg

…Speaking of the Timbers, this one comes from a member of their army, Javier Marquez, who nods to the team’s pre-MLS past. Here’s how he dscribes his design:


“I'm a diehard Timbers army supporter from Northern California, so that means getting to see the Timbers in San Jose every year is the highlight of my summer. I wanted to go old school and get the old NASL logo, but got RCTID under it.”


A classic placement for the Red Bulls

Supporter Ink: These fans are representing for their teams, forever | SIDELINE - https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/images/michaelconroyredbullstattoo.jpeg

The Red Bulls face Toronto FC at home this Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.ET—and here’s someone who’s definitely going to be watching.


Reader Matthew Conroy submitted this for his buddy Brian, shown here rocking the Red Bulls logo in a classic spot – his upper arm. Here’s what Matthew had to say about the tattoo, which Brian got done at Fat Cat tattoo in Queens, New York.


“He's an original '96er and has been going to Metro/Red Bulls games since the very early days at Giants Stadium. He may be the only fan who traveled away to Trinidad to see our ignominious defeat to W Connection in the terrible 2009 season. Brian got that tattoo around the time that Red Bull Arena opened in 2010. [He’s a] true diehard fan in every sense of the word.”