The soccer fans chanted her name, swayed to the music when she sang A Moment Like This at half-time, and ran bumbling down the stadium bleachers to get the singers autograph. And then, with arms outstretched hanging over the stadium railing, fans excitedly reached for the singer for a high-five on this clear, cool spring evening, April 29 at Mitchel Athletic Complex located in Uniondale where 1,725 enthusiastic fans came out to celebrate the United Soccer League (USL) 2006 season opening of Long Island's professional soccer team, the Long Island Rough Riders.

And yes, the singer was Great Neck's Michelle Raitzin who first aroused the spirits of the Rough Riders and the soccer fans when she stood at centerfield at Mitchel and beautifully performed the national anthem a cappella. And when the roar and loud applause for the singer faded into the open air the Long Island Rough Riders and the New Hampshire Phantoms players positioned themselves on the soccer field where they kicked off the first game of the season.

While the Long Island team has high hopes for '06 and a new head coach, Flavio Ferri, a former Rough Rider player back in 1996 and '97, the New Hampshire Phantoms defeated the Rough Riders, 1-0. The Phantoms scored in the first half of the game.

And although the Rough Riders came back to the field stronger in the second half, spreading out, gaining possession of the ball, and looking to put pressure on the Phantoms, Long Island was not able to make a comeback for a score.

However, despite Long Island's loss, Rough Riders fans never ceased cheering, rocking the stadium with the rhythm of their feet, and waving signs of favorite player's names during the game. And then, at the end of the game, enthusiastic, dedicated soccer fans raced to the side of the field for the players' autographs.

For these energetic soccer fans, the Long Island Rough Riders are their role models, win or lose. And for singer Michelle Raitzin, who was donned with a Rough Riders scarf at the sports event, and now a soccer fan, said: "Singing at the Rough Riders soccer game was an unbelievable experience. It was the first time I sang in a large stadium and I loved it." Michelle hesitated and with her warm, friendly smile, added: "It was great working with Peter Zaratin, the president of the Rough Riders, and radio Disney's Danielle Dellilo was a fabulous host at the game. She made me feel so comfortable and she made the evening so much fun for everyone!" And when asked about the fans, Michelle smiled and with a twinkle in her eye, said: "The fans were great."

For a schedule of the LI Rough Riders games visit www.liroughriders.com