Thoughts after game two

[troutseth]

Hey everyone, I have to first say that the experience was amazing in the TA section. Talk about some passion! I wanted to give my two cents (if it is worth that much) after this weekend's game. I apologize for not making game one but I was sent out of country for work so this was my first experience. Take this for what it is worth, just my opinion:

1) Simplify. the chant sheet was a nice touch but by the time I figured out which one we were on, it was done. Stick to 4-5 chants. Have them numbered. Have two chant leaders with poster boards and numbers and hold them up when a chant starts. Keep the same numbers/chants until all sections around know them. Give them to the band. I know we all want to be the best group in the country but we need to grow to that point. We are still a small number of the fans at the game. We need to get other fans involved and to do that we want a few chants that 20,000 people get to know.

2) Color. I know we are working on shirts, we need to get that sorted out or at least a color. Sam's army for example, will not allow us in the section without a red shirt on. Anyone who saw Ohio State play Penn State was in awe of the "white out" that State college employed. It is intimidating to look up and see one color in the whole area.

3) The March. The march was GREAT! We need everyone in the section involved (bigger numbers). We may want to start earlier, and circle to parking lot with all of the other tailgaters. The Mexico - USA game in Columbus ended up with thousands following through the parking lot.

4) Away games. Pick one bar that is mostly likely to carry the game. Stay there. I am president of an alumni association and the best way to get attendance by having a standing location.

5) Attendance. Everyone should try to get one more person who either already goes to the games or someone new, to come to the game and section 213. The pictures were great but we need to get rid of the empty seats in our section at least.

6) Keep it up! You guys who have organized this are doing a fantastic job. We MUST KEEP the intensity for the whole season. TALK IT UP AT HOME AND WORK. I want to see Houston at the top of the attendance list. Let's be honest, if we want our own stadium, we need to bring the numbers because in the end, it is about money.

[RDgirl]

Good Job troutseth...more from me:

1) Where the eff where the restrooms??? OMG!! tiny bladder syndrome was killing me (and Connie) and then I met Officer Johnson on his bike. Officer J explained that I should use the local UH police department (red roof near the tailgate) in order to meet my needs. Enough people going through there will trigger the need for a local el bano, il bagno, les toilette, die toilette, etc...

2) did I mention we couldn't use the restroom? We were able to use the restrooms inside the stadium but then we were NOT able to leave once we entered. Eff that. I was a tiny bit yellow eyed. nuf said. **note to self, never break the seal**

[troutseth]

That brings up NUMBER 7

Talk to the FO to make sure restrooms are available in the new tailgate area

[Berean Todd]

I want to re-iterate number 1 from Troutseth. We need to have a SMALL list of chants, at least until we all learn them all backwards and forwards. Ole-ole, Let's go Dy-na-mo, and a player song or two along with our Texian Army song. Then we need a "yell practice" for a few minutes at the tailgate to get us all warmed up/on the same page, and then we can march in. Just my thoughts.

I also thought the bathroom sucked, I missed the march in because I had to take my son on into the park to use a bathroom like 5 minutes before the march started.

[CeltTexan]

I want to re-iterate number 1 from Troutseth. We need to have a SMALL list of chants, at least until we all learn them all backwards and forwards. Ole-ole, Let's go Dy-na-mo, and a player song or two along with our Texian Army song. Then we need a "yell practice" for a few minutes at the tailgate to get us all warmed up/on the same page, and then we can march in. Just my thoughts.


Yup! A Yell Practice before we march in is needed every time to get the pipes loose. As we start to come together on the songs and chants th Texian Army will carry the day now that Dr. Tucker's Militia Pep Band is backing us from above.

Next song to learn is the "Freedom" song.

[SenorCool]

Guys, I think that what we need to do is something similar to what Sam's Army does. We need to have 3 or 4 main chants that we use at every game and then have 1 or 2 specialty chants for each opponent that we play. For RSL, we can use the "Porno Mustache" chant for Scott Garlick, for Chicago, we can use the "P*** on the Fire chant" and for Dallas, we can use our "F*** Dallas" Chants.

To help coordinate the section, I think we need to have certain people as Army Captains. The people down at the front of the section need to hold up a number and we go with that chant. The sheets with all the chants and numbers would be a great help. That way, we have an organized section and everyone isn't chanting 5 different things.

I really like the "Sylvia Sucks" chant during the 18th minute. Stuff like that needs to get around the stadium. I agree with Celt that we need to Orange Out the entire section, and I will do my part next game. The march was great as well, but going around the entire stadium would be better. Confetti was great, flags were good, maybe we could cut down on the number of flags to keep others from not being able to see the game. The smoke gernade was good, but maybe a little warning for those who have sensetive eyes and sinuses would be o.k. We don't want anyone getting really sick from that.

My last thing is I think we need to take Section 113 as well. That woul allow us to be closer to the field so that we can really harass the other team. From what I heard, there were some racist comments made by the fans right behind the goal at the KC Goalkeeper and that is something that cannot be allowed. With the Texian Army in that section, we can give keepers a hard time, but do it respectfully.

That is just my two cents. Let me know where we are meeting for this weekend. War Houston laying a beat down on DC.

[FuBoy]

We do have a small list of easy chants... Most of the section chimes in pretty quickly on chants 1-9... and those all went really well. They're one liners - and they take up about a 2"x2" space on the top left of the songs/chant sheet.

We didn't get to do too many of the other chants/songs on the sheet, (which is fine) except for the couple ref chants. I think we over-did ole-ole-ole, if we keep it up, I'm going to puke, however, the rest of the stadium started picking up on it pretty good.

Actually wished we'd sung a couple songs - didn't sing Texas our Texas or Deep in the Heart. Maybe we can start some traditions, like singing Texas our Texas when the players come out, and singing Deep In the Heart of Texas at the end of the first half.

Need to also coordinate with the band, to make sure they have/get music for all our songs, and that we have cheers for all the songs they play - like Dr. Who = KC Sucks, etc.

Going back to high school, we had a couple 1 liner songs that the band play with that were good cheers too, like "Waltrip to the dome, so&so go home!" but if we can at least work with the band - that would be great.

BLEEEEEEEEEEHHHHH!

[nobius]

The stick pounding was great but it made it difficult to get chants started. We'll work that out over time though.

[JumpforDynamo]

Ok folks, this is not the f***ing school girl's choir. Having people holding numbers up, official chant leaders etc. is just not necessary. All we need is to start with 4-5 songs that we can sing well. As in pack of wolves, a few group leaders will emerge, and the rest will naturally follow. It's just not that frekkin' complicating ! Keep in mind that most supporter groups have been together for years and typically have a reportoir of 10-12 chants, with an emphasis on 5-6. We just got started, and can's expect it to be perfect. Please don't let all this stuff involve too much reading, thinking or organizing. ;) We just want to drink some beer, belt out some simple tunes and support our team.

[nobius]

JfD, that's pretty much what we've been doing. Lots of songs have been created but only a few have been sung. Over time it'll expand.

[JumpforDynamo]

One more thing:

Was I the only one that was "slightly" annoyed by the band? When was the last time you went to a soccer game (outside US) and heard a loud-ass band playing right behind you?

I know it's common in football, basketball etc, but this is soccer we are talking about. The noice is supposed to come from us - the supporters. The whole point is for the players to hear us scream, yell and chear for them. If the band is playing louder than us - whatta hell is the point? We might as well go home and let the band provide the music.

Personally, I would like to get the band 150 yards back across the field where they were during the first game. But if this is too much to ask for, the band needs to at least learn some soccer eticette. That means:

No playing while the team marches out on the field. This is the time when we the Texian Army- along with the rest of the crowd - are supposed to create a loud roar, along with banners and other visual effects. This never happened during second game, as as the band was just too loud.

Don't play during the game. Just because we sing a tune the band recognizes, doesn't mean they need to start playing. That's just incredibly annoying, only drowning our voices with their loud trumpets and abnoxious trumpets.

Stick to playing until 15 minutes until game start, play a little during half-time, and after the game. Other than that, shut up, and let the fans provide the atmosphere.

Drums are a different story though. Drums provide an incredible energy to the chants, and do not disturb the chants themselves. Once again, we - the Texian Army - are there to provide the atmpshere - not some teenagers that played in their high school football team band.

Any comments?

[JumpforDynamo]

The stick pounding was great but it made it difficult to get chants started. We'll work that out over time though.

Totally agree. The stick pounding created a special energy, but at times we couldn't get chants started because it didn't go with the monotonious banging. Perhaps take a break once in a while? No worries...it will work out!

[*rey*]

I agree Jump. I hated the band! We lost and they kick into a peppy number. WTF?

We should have ole-ole-ole the players off the pitch to show we appreciated the effort.


One more thing:

Was I the only one that was "slightly" annoyed by the band? When was the last time you went to a soccer game (outside US) and heard a loud-ass band playing right behind you?

I know it's common in football, basketball etc, but this is soccer we are talking about. The noice is supposed to come from us - the supporters. The whole point is for the players to hear us scream, yell and chear for them. If the band is playing louder than us - whatta hell is the point? We might as well go home and let the band provide the music.

Personally, I would like to get the band 150 yards back across the field where they were during the first game. But if this is too much to ask for, the band needs to at least learn some soccer eticette. That means:

No playing while the team marches out on the field. This is the time when we the Texian Army- along with the rest of the crowd - are supposed to create a loud roar, along with banners and other visual effects. This never happened during second game, as as the band was just too loud.

Don't play during the game. Just because we sing a tune the band recognizes, doesn't mean they need to start playing. That's just incredibly annoying, only drowning our voices with their loud trumpets and abnoxious trumpets.

Stick to playing until 15 minutes until game start, play a little during half-time, and after the game. Other than that, shut up, and let the fans provide the atmosphere.

Drums are a different story though. Drums provide an incredible energy to the chants, and do not disturb the chants themselves. Once again, we - the Texian Army - are there to provide the atmpshere - not some teenagers that played in their high school football team band.

Any comments?

[El Greñas*BarraBrava]

the band thing is great as long as they follow our songs
one of the biggest and greatest supporter groups "LA 12"
from Boca Juniors use a band all the time
people with trumpets and all that
and it really sounds great
many supporters groups around the world use it. :D

[yanks02]

I like the band. They bring something no one else in MLS has. We'll get it ironed out with them. I actually never heard them over us. Was I the only one? Except of course when they were playing before and after the game.

[fordfjord]

I like the band. They bring something no one else in MLS has. We'll get it ironed out with them. I actually never heard them over us. Was I the only one? Except of course when they were playing before and after the game.Didn't hear the band as overly loud, either, but then I was in the very front of 213. Energy from them is always a good thing, even if the tunes are a little off the beaten footy path.

I thought they were great. No, no one else has it, but I don't see that as bad. I would only ask for a a little more coordination between them and us.

Oh, and Yanks, I was really only kidding about the avatar!

[CeltTexan]

Quick...what is our Army without its Band?









































A bunch of drunks singing out of tune ;)

[fordfjord]

Shoot, we were still a bunch of drunks singing out of tune even with the band! :D

[SenorCool]

I thought the band was an interesting touch as long as they worked with us. Is there a way that we can tell them to stop playing college football songs? The only thing missing from that band was the UH Fight song.

Other than that guys, I think we are on the right track. This has been an amazing first two matches and nothing like I imagined. I have been to US-Mexico games with Sam's Army and those were amazing. The Texian Army is on it's way there. Keep it up!!!!

[dynamotouchline]

The band is a good thing - but just not on top of TA. There's too many times that the two groups will be at cross-purposes.

I assume that the list they've been given are college fight songs and the jock-jam biggies. I don't think we want them to drown out the group.