Sam's Army Website

[NE_Tea_Men_'78]

I thought that Sam's Army organization had been renewed by Mark S. and the new leadership cadre.

Has anyone been to the website lately? It hasn't been updated since god-knows-when. There is no new "gear" to be found on it. The US-Mexico page is advising people to book hotel rooms based on information which is months out of date.

Here is a question: When US-Mex tix go on sale, am I better off buying from SA or from ticketmaster?

[fidlerre]

I doubt tickets will even be available on Ticketmaster.

Pre-sales (Crew, US Soccer, etc) should just about eliminate all available tickets for fans.

[The Magpie]

Has anyone been to the website lately? It hasn't been updated since god-knows-when. There is no new "gear" to be found on it. The US-Mexico page is advising people to book hotel rooms based on information which is months out of date...

Actually, both myself and a few others have been updating event information a few times a week over the course of the last two months - this would be infortmation of interest for those looking to get tickets, attending U.S. matches, etc. I agree that there's been almost no updates in terms of original feature content such as articles, profiles, etc., but those have almost always been contributed by a variety of people independent of any centralized leadership or planning effort.

As for the US vs. Mexico information: if the information's out of date, let Sam's Army know, or at the very least, drop an email to the listed contact on the Sam's Army events page for this match and let him know. It doesn't take much effort, but in most cases, the people who post the information are entirely reliant upon invidividuals who are putting together the local details of an event. Quite frankly, "Sam's Army" has no role in that, even if the information is distributed as such through the Sam's Army site.

Don't know what to tell you about merchandise. Apparently "Sam's Army" is looking to forge relationships with retailers, and I've heard rumbling from some usually reliable people that gear is coming soon, but the long and skinny of it is this: again, they're talking the talk, but they're not walking the walk, and they've used up every ounce of credibility with the "boy who cried wolf routine."

With such a credibility gap, they have to work that much harder and be that much more selfless in responding to the demands of supporters. You either get it done, or you don't, and Sam's Army hasn't proven itself able to, and I for one haven't been holding my breath.

Here is a question: When US-Mex tix go on sale, am I better off buying from SA or from ticketmaster?

You'd be better off buying through U.S. Soccer, which in all likelihood is going to handle the ticket sale for any U.S. supporters/Sam's Army section for Columbus. the Sam's Army web site will probably post a link to a ticket order form (as they've done now for numerous U.S. matches), and you'd be ordering direct from U.S. Soccer. I'd only go through Ticketbastard as a last ditch, worse case scenario.

The Magpie

[NE_Tea_Men_'78]

...again, they're talking the talk, but they're not walking the walk, and they've used up every ounce of credibility with the "boy who cried wolf routine."

With such a credibility gap, they have to work that much harder and be that much more selfless in responding to the demands of supporters. You either get it done, or you don't, and Sam's Army hasn't proven itself able to, and I for one haven't been holding my breath.

The Magpie

I guess that was the idea behind my original post. Here is a summary of the four-point initiative Mark Spacone promoted a while ago:
1. New non-profit status.
2. New paid Memberships.
3. New gear.
4. New, fresher web page.


I would be interested in a paid membership in Sam's Army. The goals of Sam's Army are laudable and worth supporting. It seems to me that the organization can't be taken seriously until the other three initiatives are accomplished.

As Jessica Savitch said in her cocaine-induced rant, "This is primetime, people!" The US is busy attempting to qualify for a fifth straight World Cup. The time to follow through on these statements is now. Or just say that organizing a national supporters group is beyond the capacity of US Soccer's Fan Base.

[The Magpie]

I guess that was the idea behind my original post. Here is a summary of the four-point initiative Mark Spacone promoted a while ago:
1. New non-profit status.
2. New paid Memberships.
3. New gear.
4. New, fresher web page.

Having been involved in an effort to obtain non-profit status for another organization I'm associated with - depending on the type of non-profit tax status being sought - the process can take a considerable amount of time and money. I'm not sure as to the status of Mark's efforts, but hopefully he can provide some measure of public communication on the issue.

Paid memberships would make a bit of sense, and he's previously told me he's been exploring ways to bring this about, but this has been going on for a number of years, and again, the specifics have not been revealed to any appreciable extent.

New gear? Again... I've been hearing about plans to get new gear for some time, but up until recently it seems that a lack of time and lack of money has been a key issue. Apparently Mark has been trying to solicit business partners and/or retailers to work with, but again, no real details here. I can tell you that there has been at least one genuine effort to get merchandise done in the last year or two... with any profits to be directed back to Sam's Army as seed money for future merchandising efforts, but in the end, there was explicitly expressed disinterest in this.

New, fresher webpage? Well, to come up with something along these lines you need to have more regular, and prolific contribution from a number of parties in order to generate content, update information, etc. Thing is, a number of people who've previously contributed on a regular basis (yours truly included), either don't have the time and/or motivation to do so, so in the absence of new personalities and new voices stepping forward, the site runs the risk of becoming somewhat stale.

People have a lot of expectation, but precious few people want to put in the effort as related to the web site.

I would be interested in a paid membership in Sam's Army. The goals of Sam's Army are laudable and worth supporting. It seems to me that the organization can't be taken seriously until the other three initiatives are accomplished...

Organization has never been a strongsuit of Sam's Army... couldn't even beging to tell you if there is an organization at this point... Monty could probably tell everyone.

As Jessica Savitch said in her cocaine-induced rant, "This is primetime, people!" The US is busy attempting to qualify for a fifth straight World Cup. The time to follow through on these statements is now. Or just say that organizing a national supporters group is beyond the capacity of US Soccer's Fan Base.

There are people willing to make the effort, but IMHO, it comes down to an issue of control... always has been.

The Magpie

[Hosscat]

I still can't believe the S.A. site said that the "official" hotel for Sam's Army in Salt Lake would be the Marriott on the U of Utah campus (near the stadium). I booked a room there, arrived, and there was a huge Costa Rican flag on the registration desk- not to mention Costa Rican fans all over the lobby (no US supporters in sight anywhere). I later found out that the Costa Rican team was staying there and the Marriott was actually the official C.R. hotel.
Hard to believe that Sam's Army wasn't able to get a hold of this info somehow and post it on the site.

[The Magpie]

I still can't believe the S.A. site said that the "official" hotel for Sam's Army in Salt Lake would be the Marriott on the U of Utah campus (near the stadium). I booked a room there, arrived, and there was a huge Costa Rican flag on the registration desk- not to mention Costa Rican fans all over the lobby (no US supporters in sight anywhere). I later found out that the Costa Rican team was staying there and the Marriott was actually the official C.R. hotel. Hard to believe that Sam's Army wasn't able to get a hold of this info somehow and post it on the site.

Couple of things to bear in mind:

a. This was the first time Salt Lake City had hosted a qualifier, and as such, this was probably the first time local supporters were in a position of having to provide such information such as hotel recommendations to travelling supporters.

b. The criteria for recommending lodging (based on my experience) is largely determined by the following: host supporters' familiarity with hotel/motel, location (is it convenient to the stadium and/or entertainment options), cost, ability to get a group rate, access to transportation options, etc.

Also, I've checked the archived events page for the SLC WCQ, and I see no mention that the Marriott on the Univ. of Utah was the "official" Sam's Army hotel:

http://www.sams-army.com/index.php?Mlist=event&Mid=71

Did you see this on the web site, or perhaps elsewhere on Bigsoccer - perhaps someone suggesting there that this was the "official" SA hotel? The only reason I'm asking is because I was one of the people updating the events page, and don't recall seeing or otherwise posting such information.

The Magpie

[Hosscat]

Couple of things to bear in mind:

a. This was the first time Salt Lake City had hosted a qualifier, and as such, this was probably the first time local supporters were in a position of having to provide such information such as hotel recommendations to travelling supporters.

b. The criteria for recommending lodging (based on my experience) is largely determined by the following: host supporters' familiarity with hotel/motel, location (is it convenient to the stadium and/or entertainment options), cost, ability to get a group rate, access to transportation options, etc.

Also, I've checked the archived events page for the SLC WCQ, and I see no mention that the Marriott on the Univ. of Utah was the "official" Sam's Army hotel:

http://www.sams-army.com/index.php?Mlist=event&Mid=71

Did you see this on the web site, or perhaps elsewhere on Bigsoccer - perhaps someone suggesting there that this was the "official" SA hotel? The only reason I'm asking is because I was one of the people updating the events page, and don't recall seeing or otherwise posting such information.

The Magpie

I think it was only on the S.A. website temporarily and then removed for whatever reason. I guess the site never explicitly said that it was the "official" hotel for US supporters, but it was the only hotel recommeded on the site (due to a cheap online rate & stadium proximity I think), which led me to believe that there would be many other other US fans staying there. In reality, there were probably no more than 15 or 20 US fans that I saw and easily over 100 Tico fans.

It turned out to be a good experience though since I met a bunch of Costa Rica fans in the hotel bar (who gave me tons of shite for being a US fan, of course) and they were a lot of fun to hang out with.... I guess that's what it's all about.

[JoeSoccerFan]

I think it was only on the S.A. website temporarily and then removed for whatever reason. I guess the site never explicitly said that it was the "official" hotel for US supporters, but it was the only hotel recommeded on the site (due to a cheap online rate & stadium proximity I think), which led me to believe that there would be many other other US fans staying there. In reality, there were probably no more than 15 or 20 US fans that I saw and easily over 100 Tico fans.

It turned out to be a good experience though since I met a bunch of Costa Rica fans in the hotel bar (who gave me tons of shite for being a US fan, of course) and they were a lot of fun to hang out with.... I guess that's what it's all about.

I stayed in the UofU Marriott also. I really considered hanging the "Don't Tread on Me" flag from the 4th floor, but worried about someone stealing it!

I think that you saw a posting for a $69 rate on BS.

[bostonbully]

I guess the site never explicitly said that it was the "official" hotel for US supporters, but it was the only hotel recommeded on the site (due to a cheap online rate & stadium proximity I think), which led me to believe that there would be many other other US fans staying there. In reality, there were probably no more than 15 or 20 US fans that I saw and easily over 100 Tico fans.A common theme running through the complaints about Sam's Army can be summed up with the thought that Sam's Army is NOT what many people expect them to be.

Sam's Army is not a travel planner to give you an explicit US fan itinerary to follow your team. They will not officially provide an "official" supporter hotel. And they will not provide a tour bus to motor you around.

So then, you might ask, what is Sam's Army?

Sam's Army is an informal/sometimes-formal collection of like-minded crazy US soccer fans who like to gather together at US matches to talk up the match, meet up with fellow supporters from around the globe (mainly US) they haven't seen since the last match, have a few social pops, knock a ball around, perhaps stay out late partying the night before and (hopefully) post-game for a late night victory celebration. Sam's Army is just a bunch of US soccer slobs, like you and I, or like your college (or high school) buddies, who announce gatherings so that we can all share in the beautiful game. Not much official to it. Consider Sam's Army that one drinking buddy who's always throwing a party and organizing a softball bakefest and inviting everyone along with an open invite.

With that said, any hotel recommendations or night before parties are merely that -- recommendations. At this point, should you want to be with as many US supporters as possible, the best bet is to keep an eye out on Sam's Army, keep and eye out on these and like boards, and put your own itinery together -- yes, including hotel. Between these forums for collecting US supporter data, you will -- trust me -- find the best and brightest gatherings and be sure to have the time of your life.

But at this point you cannot assume or expect Sam's Army to do much more. At times they will, and when they do they pull it off very nicely with good showings at the many planned gatherings and a good time is had by all. But many times they do not. Because these are people like you and me; you don't need to be a card carrying member because, well, there are no cards to carry. And sometimes there aren't people to do these things.

This is, I believe, the source of many people's frustration -- that Sam's Army is an informal, somewhat unorganized grouping of like-minded people.

Sam's Army (or a hybrid group like it) will someday be an more organized and larger institution, but it's not there yet. To be honest, it'll probably arrive when the US finally puts an innate fear in the German's, the Argentina's, and the Brazilian's. Which might be Germany '06. :)

Just an observation.

[metroflip73]

But at this point you cannot assume or expect Sam's Army to do much more..

Yes, you can. Expect/demand those in the section to a) sing loud, b) sing at all.

[bostonbully]

Yes, you can. Expect/demand those in the section to a) sing loud, b) sing at all.Of course. Point I was making was that as of right now Sam's Army is not to the point where when it comes to travel, specifically a supporter's hotel and other assorted gatherings, that there really is no such thing as an "official" hotel. Official tailgates and pre- and post-match parties are more likely. But information about the rest tend to be merely recommendations or hand-me-down info.

But you are right, once we are together, once we are in the stadium or with beer in hand at the tailgate(s), Sam's Army comes to life... well organized and ready to do our part in helping the red, white, and blue.

[Bill Archer]

Here is a question: When US-Mex tix go on sale, am I better off buying from SA or from ticketmaster?

Basically been answered, but let me reiterate: last time US v. Mex was at CCS, NO tickets were sold through Ticketbastard.

After the Crew and USSF private offerings, there was nothing left but scattered singles, essentially. The Crew then opened their box office at One Black and Gold, and sold them all over the counter (limit four) in under 20 minutes.

The unconfirmed-but-very-likely rumor now is that 136-137-138 (the North End - $38 for this game) will be handed over to SA for private sale.

I'm certain that fid will fight for them to toss in 135 and 139 as well, and I don't think there'd be any problem selling them, but this is USSF and they're odd sometimes. fid can get some ears at Hunt Park, but NOBODY can communicate with Soccer House.

Even the Crew ticket guys are saying that they're waiting for USSF to "release" their plans.