http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/supporters-week-players-rank-mls-toughest-crowds 8. PPL Park (Philadelphia Union) The Sons of Ben may get all the press, but there is life in Chester beyond the River End. They were the new guys in 2010, but these fans already have a reputation. 9. RFK Stadium (D.C. United) This is the original 12th Man of MLS. Unlike most stadiums, the club’s largest supporters groups are housed in the bouncing, sideline stands in full view of the TV cameras. Why hide the hardcore behind the goals? 10. Red Bull Arena (New York Red Bulls) The South Ward brings the ruckus with its “only in New York” mix of Latin-percussion and witty interpolations of hip-hop, punk and terrace anthems. Add in the only full roof in MLS and the volume pumps up to 11. -- I thought 8 was a bit low, but I'm glad we edged these 2.
To me, it is an absolute joke that Colorado and LA placed ahead of us on that list. The other teams all deserved to be there, or at least an argument can be made that they did, but those two are so out of place. If that were the case, then we'd be just outisde of the top 5. I think we need more Tifo to jump up the ranks a bit.
It says: It's kind of open to interpretation, like the quality of the team could be a factor, in which case it would make sense to have those two teams on there.
But it's not all just about the SGs and their chants/displays. And I doubt the article is referring to the corner groups adjacent to TRE. Why can't the entire stadium contribute to the intimidating atmosphere?
perhaps a small investment in a brochure or handout that details the chants, and encourages participation from the entire stadium? it could be handed out by SOBs at each gate for about 30 minutes prior to kickoffs. We'll never get everybody, but I'll bet we could significantly increase stadium participation. Another possibility is to have roving bands of SOB 'ambassadors', who stop in a section, coordinate with the leaders in TRE, then go full throat with the chant/song, so people in the section would understand what is being said. (pick a cleaner one for this effort) While I'm in 101 and pretty much know the chants and songs, I have moved to other seats from time to time, and the further you are from TRE, the harder it is to understand exactly what the cheer is. I'd venture that most in the stadium want to get involved, they just don't know what is being said. (See? I can be non-nuclear too.)
Salvatore does this with his drum in DC. It might make sense, or that person might get told to get the hell out. I think that the entire crowd and the difficulty in getting a result factor in to the rating. PPL wasn't a fortress but it was a wall of noise and not just in the light blue sections. I cant wait to see how EVERYONE raises their game in 2011.
Sounds like you've described my idea for the SoB Outreach Program™ ... too bad it'll never happen. Granted, they are a HUGE aspect to the atmosphere on game day, and can be incredibly impressive, but it's not just about organized chants that make the grounds intimidating to the opposition. Try sitting in the sections surrounding the away bench, give the players/coaches an earful, and wait until you get a reaction. Priceless. Knowledgeable, passionate fans come in all shapes and sizes, and you don't have to be a "supporter" by definition to verbally express your disdain for the visiting team.
If you are in 138 or 137 it's hard to realize how poor the coordination in parts of the RE is. I spent one match over in 135 and it was distressing. We need to clone Corey.
I was in 110 last year and it is a little tough to discern what the RE is doing a lot of the time. There were definitely people interested, but its a different vibe when its that detached and not everyone is on the same page. The insults and cheering down there tended to go along with the simpler stuff comming from the RE mixed in with the types of sarcasm and insults you'd hear at other Philly sports venues.
