FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – John Pungitore was never really a soccer guy. He’d always been a sports fan, but in 2007 he was converted. After attending an English Premier League match, he was amazed by the culture and the atmosphere around the sport – he was hooked.
Fast forward to 2026, and the Norwood native has been a New England Revolution Season Member for nearly 13 years. He’s held the same two seats at Gillette Stadium from the start, but what’s even more important to him is his parking spot. For more than a decade, Pungitore has staked out the same corner of the Season Member lot, often arriving before the gates even open so he can set up for his usual tailgates.
He can’t quite explain why that particular spot called to him at first, but now it’s become home base for him, his friends, and family, ahead of almost every Revolution home game.
“We’ve been going there for so many years, it’s to the point where we won’t fight for our spot, but any time it’s taken we joke around with people, like ‘Ah, come on!’ We just love it,” Pungitore said. “Ever since I got my first two season tickets I’ve been hooked. I love tailgating. I’ve been running our tailgates since then and I’ve just been adding people. Since I’ve become a member, I think I’ve gotten at least 35 more season ticket holders. I’ve unofficially been working for the Revs, convincing my buddies to get tickets.
“Having those 17 home games as a chance to see my friends, when we are all busy and maybe wouldn’t be able to otherwise, it’s a blast. We’re family friendly, too. The kids all come and we’ve been able to see them all get into it, as well. One of my friends even named her son Turner. That’s just what I love about the sport.”
Pungitore’s group has carved out their own corner of Gillette Stadium in Section 103. His seats, row 18, seats one and two, have been where he’s watched the Revs since 2013. Through highs, lows, and everything in between, Pungitore and his circle have stood under the lighthouse, cheering on New England, building traditions, and collecting memories that will last a lifetime.
Since catching the soccer bug, Pungitore has been around the world for the sport. He’s attended multiple Premier League games in England, watched a World Cup match in Russia, seen a game in North Macedonia, and the list goes on. More often than not, he’s worn a Revolution jersey while doing it.
“I still haven’t mastered soccer,” Pungitore laughed. “I don’t understand everything, but I’ve been learning through the years. I just love going. The atmosphere, the games, it’s just a lot of fun.”
From attending almost every home game in the historic 2021 Revolution season – which gave him a chance to hold the Supporters’ Shield – to traveling for playoff matches, meeting players, and stepping on the field at Gillette, the Revolution have become woven into Pungitore’s life.
His parking spot and those corner seats are his home away from home. And while he doesn’t consider himself superstitious, his connection to that space mirrors his connection to the team itself. He may not be a competitive soccer player, but he’s a fiercely competitive soccer lover, rooting for New England simply for the love of the game and for the club that has given him so much. Over the last 12 years, he’s watched his section fill with new friends and his tailgates grow as he’s helped usher in new generations of Revs fans, all between the same three lines of paint.
“This team is my place to get away from real life for a while. It’s my getaway time. I’m always looking forward to the games, to have a tailgate, to hangout and have a good time with my friends and family,” he said. “It’s something to always look forward to. Even if they lose, I’m always happy just to be there.”
