USxENG - Sam's Army Comments

[Riotom9]

I have a couple of questions. This was my 2nd game sitting w/ the Army, and overall it was disappointing compared to my first experience. My first was 04/2004 against Mexico in Dallas. That game was exhilarating to be at - I will say that of course when you are dominating the game and win on a last second goal, of course it will be more fun than what happened last weekend.
However...

Seating:
Is it absolutely necessary for the section to be directly behind the goal? I found that experience very poor and much preferred the seats at the 6-25 meter line - you could actually see the far end of the field. How is the Sam's Army section picked? I understand we need to be right on the field, but what other limits do we have to choose? I know that if you charge $50 a ticket for this section, you may get fewer people in this section. But compared to the $600 I spent in hotel and airfare for me and my wife - I would pay an extra $40 for better tickets easily.


Flags:
For anyone at the game, I think it is obvious we need a more concerted effort for flags to tie to the rails. There were about 6 people from Sam's Army between noon and 12:30. Once we started showing up, there were more than 50 England flags up. Obviously this is a numbers game, but it makes it all more important that we attempt to get 5-10 railing size flags to the game early. The big flag over the railing looked pretty good on TV actually - should this be a new standard (and we'll get it on there straight if we can get it to the game early enough).

Organization:
Obviously there has been a lot of conflict over this supporter's group over the years. I really felt it this time as there seems to be such a huge disconnect with USSF (a thread in itself). Never information over the team's schedule - where they will practice, stay, etc - I think until the team rises to superstardom, I can't such a small band being too intrusive on their space (as I hear story after story of them walking around town unnoticed).


Overall the people were great, I just think that we need something more specialized and organized. Maybe I can expand more on what I'm trying to say later in the thread, just wanted to get some questions ansewred for a start.

[USAClash]

If there is one thing I got out of the England game, it's that I'm going to go out of my way now to get to games early and bring as many flags as I can. I probably own over 20 American flags. Don't know why I was ever holding back in the first place, but I'm bringing all of them to every game that I attend now.

I encourage others to do the same. I agree with anyone that feels that making our voices heard is a more important part of creating atmosphere. However, perception is reality, and having a stadium draped in red, white, and blue will do a lot to help the psyche of our players.

[Justin Cedar]

If there is one thing I got out of the England game, it's that I'm going to go out of my way now to get to games early and bring as many flags as I can. I probably own over 20 American flags. Don't know why I was ever holding back in the first place, but I'm bringing all of them to every game that I attend now.

I encourage others to do the same. I agree with anyone that feels that making our voices heard is a more important part of creating atmosphere. However, perception is reality, and having a stadium draped in red, white, and blue will do a lot to help the psyche of our players.


Great idea Clash! I had my one flag that remained draped over my shoulders cause I failed to bring anything to hang it with. Next game I’ll bring not only some f’n zip ties, but as many flags as I can to hang up.

In response to Riotom, you can tell by the number of posts I have that I am mainly a “lurker” here on Big Soccer and seldom post any kind of well thought out rants due to my lack of time and typing skills. But when I do take the time to post, it’s usually on this very subject. I typically chime in preaching the POSITIVE aspects of Sam’s Army, stressing individual initiatives to make things better. Making Sam’s Army better is what we all want. As you said, “more specialized and organized” would be great.

I asked myself, what can I do? My answer was to go to as many games as possible, bring as many people as possible, and bring drums. I knew I could do that. Likewise, some individual brought the “Don’t Tread on Me” flag. Another individual saw to it that the “Big Ass Flag” was there. I guess what I’m saying is that you obviously sacrificed allot traveling across the country and spent allot of money getting to the game and making it a point to be in Sam’s Army. For that I commend you. In this particular scenario, what more could you have possibly done? I would think nothing more.

People often complain about Sam’s Army not being organized enough, and to them I respectfully disagree. We have a website that has lists of rules and the ability to buy tickets for each game in our own section. Everything else comes down to individual initiative. (i.e.-I bring drums.) I hope my comments are well received for your “Organization” issue. The Flag issue was commented on by Clash. Seating? Well that’s a tough one. They have to put us somewhere that we won’t piss off people who want to sit down, so behind the goal is pretty common for us unfortunately. I can understand how you feel disconnected from the Fed, and Lord knows I have my issues with them, but here are a couple of quick stories that may soften that a bit…

After getting a large bass drum all the way to our section in B-Ham, only to be stopped by a Dickhead cop who walked it and me all the way back to my f’n car, I was quite scared about getting drums to this game. Well, it was a USSF Employee who got the drum in for this game! In fact, said employee’s cell phone number was in the cell phone of Jason from Section 8! This showed me that they were well in touch with the local fans. I also had a ticket issue that was resolved by a USSF employee who was absolute quality. Not as great as the drum thing, but something positive none the less.

I’m jacked up for the fans in Salt Lake and I just know they will represent well! :D

[HSV Hooligan]

After getting a large bass drum all the way to our section in B-Ham, only to be stopped by a Dickhead cop who walked it and me all the way back to my f’n car, I was quite scared about getting drums to this game. Well, it was a USSF Employee who got the drum in for this game! In fact, said employee’s cell phone number was in the cell phone of Jason from Section 8! This showed me that they were well in touch with the local fans.
Although the second story about the USSF employee getting the drum into the game in Chi-town, the USSF should have worked with security alot more so that you didn't have to have someone else get the drum in. You should've been allowed to bring it in yourself without any problems...IT'S A DRUM, NOT A WEAPON. If USSF want a better atmosphere for the players, I think they have a LONG way to go. I posted in a separate thread that I was sitting front-row midfield behind the benches (the direction the cameras were pointing). I tried to put my flag over the railing, but a suit (and I assume it was a USSF person) came and told me to remove it because it was covering the grey part of the banner that extended around half of the field with the USSF crest every 10 yards or so. My flag wasn't covering any important part of the banner. However, a group of Englanders came down at halftime and draped an English flag over the railing (for which I wasn't aware of until after the game), but no USSF suit came over to have it removed. I was pi$$ed because they made such a big deal about me trying to display a US flag, but freely allowed an English flag to cover the exact same banner. THANKS USSF! This is the type of action that really makes me question whether USSF supports fan involvement/support. Why do you (with your drum) and I (with my flag) have such a problem...you'd think that the USSF would welcome us with open arms and not try to dissuade our efforts. Although it was nice that someone got your drum into Soldier Field, it shouldn't have been such a hassle if the USSF wanted it there in the first place.

[NotAbbott]

Although the second story about the USSF employee getting the drum into the game in Chi-town, the USSF should have worked with security alot more so that you didn't have to have someone else get the drum in. You should've been allowed to bring it in yourself without any problems.

Those are the Soldier Field rules, and they're the same rules we abide by for Fire games. Trust me, those guys would prefer no drums from anybody, anytime, at all (which is, technically, the policy), so this is the way it has to work in this venue. Period.

Later,
COZ

[seahawkdad]

One more reason why we need our own stadiums.

Fortunately, you'll have yours soon.

[HSV Hooligan]

Those are the Soldier Field rules, and they're the same rules we abide by for Fire games. Trust me, those guys would prefer no drums from anybody, anytime, at all (which is, technically, the policy), so this is the way it has to work in this venue. Period.

Later,
COZ
Yes, I know those are SF rules, which is rather disturbing. The last time I tried to bring in a plastic horn I was told to return it to my car because it was a "weapon". They actually referred to it as a WEAPON...a cheap piece of plastic. BRILLIANT!

[Thomas Flannigan]

Rumor has it that Soldier Field will soon ban all spectactors from soccer events, adding to the list of 78 banned items. No wonder a culture of hanging flags has not grown up like it has in a free society like the UK. They are not permitted. Try calling Soldier Field and be prepared to hold the phone well away from your ear as you take the insults.

[TheMutts]

just to answer the behind the goal question-----That is where supporters tradionally sit and also where we can not bother anyone by standing

Id defintly like to stay their

[Placid Casual]

Yes, I know those are SF rules, which is rather disturbing. The last time I tried to bring in a plastic horn I was told to return it to my car because it was a "weapon". They actually referred to it as a WEAPON...a cheap piece of plastic. BRILLIANT!


Have to agree with the banning of plastic horns i am afraid.

[yellowbismark]

can we also ban screaming pre-teens? :)

[jmeissen0]

you're behind the goal

you ain't there for the view

you want the view... watch it on tv


now go stand behind the goal and make some ********ing noise

[Brushes Sand]

If there is one thing I got out of the England game, it's that I'm going to go out of my way now to get to games early and bring as many flags as I can. I probably own over 20 American flags. Don't know why I was ever holding back in the first place, but I'm bringing all of them to every game that I attend now.

I encourage others to do the same. I agree with anyone that feels that making our voices heard is a more important part of creating atmosphere. However, perception is reality, and having a stadium draped in red, white, and blue will do a lot to help the psyche of our players.


Please, do so, I'm tired of being the only one who "brings it" at that level.

-bs

[vflkirwan]

I was trying....

[Raider Red]

Yes, I know those are SF rules, which is rather disturbing. The last time I tried to bring in a plastic horn I was told to return it to my car because it was a "weapon". They actually referred to it as a WEAPON...a cheap piece of plastic. BRILLIANT!

Plastic horns are a weapon...to the ears. God I hate those things.

[Brushes Sand]

I was trying....

I retract my previous statement.

Ed is incorrect. He wasn't trying. He always has brought it,
on 3 continents, 10 times more often than I'm able to.

Ed Kirwan is in a league of his own, and my previous statement
can in no way shape or form be construed as applying to him.

Now, as for the rest of yous peoples, EVERY core zealot should
committ to bringing a 3x5 of their choice to every Nats fixture
they attend, and make it a cheap one if you're afraid of losing it.

I've lost five(5) $30 3x5's in only 4 fixtures where i've deployed
my entire inventory. Ed has now lost an incredibly valuable
one-of-a-kind-irreplacable-deployed-on-3-continents banner.

It's extremely sad that 95% of "the core supporters" rely (take
for granted?) the efforts the other 5% make to insure the fixture
"looks" like a Full International. And that somewhere in that 95%,
we have some thievers.

-bs

[TheMutts]

what happened?

[JoeSoccerFan]

I retract my previous statement.

Ed is incorrect. He wasn't trying. He always has brought it,
on 3 continents, 10 times more often than I'm able to.

Ed Kirwan is in a league of his own, and my previous statement
can in no way shape or form be construed as applying to him.

-bs

Wade, I think this is insufficient. I believe that you should buy the beer for the NJB in Cbus to make amends! :D

Agree about your comments on Ed (unique guy).


Ed "lost" a flag/banner that was hanging in SLC. Seems the stewards weren't particularly helpful in finding. I find it hard to believe that fans would think that the banners/flags don't belong to someone....