They are all blended, but musically there is a big difference between a Houston/Chicago and a Portland/KC atmosphere. It is pretty noticeable, even on TV.
Lately I'd agree. But I've seen some decent stuff from them before. I've never been there in person though, so I'd have to defer to those who have.
used to be very good up until a few years ago. When the team gets more energy it will be again. seeing Portland on television reminds me that Chicago could be similar by now if they kept momentum from about 2003 and maybe didnt move to Toyota park
Don't have a list, but of the few I have visited, Portland and Seattle have the best game day atmospheres of any MLS parks. Seattle had their stadium built for crowd noise and you can here both teams fans chanting loudly at any given time. Portland, and I am not just saying that because I live here, is the best. It's not that it is the best built or largest, but when you get down into the park, and hear the Timbers Army, it is like they are an extra member on the team. You're right on top of the pitch. Having Jeld-Wen Field in the City helps make it special too. I can remember it being like that when the Timbers were a USL team as well. Portland is called 'Soccer City, USA,' for a reason.
Agree completely. Back in MLS 1.0, the fire and DC were the two best atmospheres in the league. I am happy it has become more widespread, but you can't discount Section 8 for helping carry MLS. With the arrival of Toyota Park, all that momentum died like a male preying mantis.
The loss of the special atmosphere in Chicago and DC saddens me. I have no idea if it is possible for Chicago to return to its glory days, but, man do I hope so. Cautionary tales for all MLS franchises...
Just to be clear, this wasn't me saying "SKC is better because they won something", this was me poking fun at marketing gimmicks. SKC did have a historically good 2013, but we still bestowed the title of "Soccer Capital of America" on ourselves during All-Star Week...
Weird I haven't noticed a real big dropoff in Chicago. They weren't necessarily bigger in the old days ... they just seemed bigger relative to the rest of the league. Chicago atmosphere has pretty much plateaued for many years while many other teams have passed them by. To this day I'd rate Chicago's SGs somewhere around 3rd or 4th in the Eastern conference as far as size and style ... maybe around 7th or 8th in the whole league
I can't believe people seem to rate Vancouver as highly as they apparently do! Fortunately, even though my five votes exactly match the top 5 in this poll, support is still not a cheerleading contest. So it really doesn't matter.
Continental European style. Which is more typical in most of MLS. I'm not self-fellating but, for a few years after launch, I'd argue that TFC had the only British-style stadium atmosphere MLS has ever had*: disorganized, decentralized, vociferous, and oriented more towards the play rather than organized singing. That's long gone now and it's hard to imagine it ever coming back. *Though Portland gets close. I'd still call them more "German" style though with the big flags and big, organized supporters end leading.
The first SKC I ever went too I was literally on the ground crying and laughing the first time i heard that chant. Abso-F***king-lutely brilliant
Yeah too bad Philly fans used it in 2010 when Chris Seitz was the Keeper, and the chant was Seitz, Seitz, Seitz Everybody!
Gotta agree with that, with Chicago it's been more case of stagnation in face of progress elsewhere than decline. We still travel there every year, and generally we only travel to far away places if it's interesting from supporter perspective or if it's important game. I think I've only been more to NJ and maaaybe Columbus than Chicago (some 80 or so aways).
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2014/02/24/In-Depth/Roundtable.aspx SBJ: Heading into the 2014 season, what do you view as Major League Soccer’s strongest asset? TIM LEIWEKE, MLSE: It’s the level of play. NICK SAKIEWICZ, PHILADELPHIA UNION: Tim and I have been in this league since day one, and I’d have to agree with him on the quality of play. ADRIAN HANAUER, SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC: The strength of ownership, the increasing passion of our fans, and the relevance in our markets. The league has grown a massive amount in the last 10 years, and I feel it’s going to continue in that direction. MERRITT PAULSON, PORTLAND TIMBERS: I would add the vibrant supporters culture in MLS. It’s a key differentiator for us. It’s a fundamentally different spectator experience. It’s a show in itself and there’s nothing like it in the other sports leagues in North America. -------------------------------------- The atmosphere at both BMO Field and PPL Park have been on the "downturn" in the last few years. Major League Soccer’s strongest asset? It's the supporters atmosphere. Look at Portland, Seattle and Kansas City. With these three cities, you want to be there in the stadium watching. Y would tune in to their home games to watch on TV. Hopefully when BMO Field is expanded, TFC will have a General Admission Supporters Section.
I actually dislike the organized singing quite a bit. I have sat with ECS a few times for Open Cup games, and if I stopped chanting because there was a good play going on I would get glares from other members and the cappo. I don't know about most of them, but for me it's about the game and I would much rather cheer the play than have somebody who isn't even watching the game basically be the cheerleader for the team. That said, some people would rather be part of the group I guess, and that is why I sit on the opposite end of the stadium from them at Royal Brougham Stadium.
I agree that this is something that bothers me about some people... some people are more concerned with singing than the game.... From my experience in the River End at PPL Park it is less about singing and more about whats going on in the game in terms of crowd noise, we definitely seem more reactionary.. (although there is obviously consistent singing throughout game still)
PDX and SEA are 1,2 no questions asked. In terms of the MLS 1.0 groups, i.e. DC and Chicago... the supporters still bring it for 90. The rest of RFK and TP are flat though.
With regards to singing and watching the game. The trick is to get good enough to do both at the same time .