Need help in preparing for South Africa 2010

[Michigan Chivas Fan]

My wife and I have been to several cities in the midwest over the years supporting the U.S. national team although we have never formally been members of Sam's Army. My wife, who is from South Africa, and I made plans immediately to travel there for the 2010 Cup as soon as we heard the announcement. We would like to become official members of Sam's Army and sit with them for all of the games at the next World Cup. I know that it is early, but I would appreciate any help/advice on this matter. We will be staying with relatives and traveling to the game sites for each of the U.S. games. One question, though: I also, just like my wife, was born outside of the U.S., but we are both naturalized citizens; does this make us eligible to become members of Sam's Army? Thanks in advance.

[bshredder]

Any fan of the US team can join no matter where you were born.

Here's all the info you need:
http://www.sams-army.com

[Thomas Flannigan]

Brian is correct. Any fan of our national team can join whatever their citizenship. Keep in mind that most of the hard core fans at US games are not card-carrying members of Sam's Army, at least in part because Sam's Army stopped selling T-shirts, memberships and so on between 2002 and 2005 It is my understanding that gear is now being sold and new memberships as well. The webpage has continued, thanks to the efforts of Mark Wheeler and others. Much active fan support between 2002 and now took place due to efforts of people who are not Sam's Army members but get along fine with them.
It is anybody's guess what the USSF will do with tickets. Between 2003 and now the USSF often offered Sam's Army/US Supporters' tickets for sale to people who had registered their interest at the ussoccerfan corner of the USSF web presence. These tickets were almost always behind the goal, where we can serenade the opposing keeper. The USSF did not give Sam's Army a ticket allocation for the 2006 World Cup like in 1998 and 2002 but did offer sale to ussoccerfan.com registrants.
In the past, Sam's Army tickets and Cateogory III tickets obtained through FIFA were in the same place, behind the goal, for most World Cup games (but not Germany in 2002), when fans were assigned randomly all over the stadium. It is also my understanding that USA fans were divided up for the Czech Republic game to some extent.
There is another thread in this Forum about Air Tickets to South Africa that has all kinds of posts about travel to South Africa.

[JBigjake]

The USSF did not give Sam's Army a ticket allocation for the 2006 World Cup like in 1998 and 2002
This was a major mistake & problem IMO. While everyone stood for the entire Italy game, many wanted to sit during Czech & Ghana. We were faced with people looking for their exact seats, then wanting others to sit down. The USSF needs to acknowledge Sammers & do what it can to provide a separate standing section for us. Even if it does not provide tickets, it should create a section where those who indicate a preference for SA can stand & sing together.

[patfan1]

Jake et al ... this is something I'm planning on pushing with USSF this year as part of SA. I would like Sunil and the USSF guys to realize that if they want us to represent as well as we all know we can (and have against Mexico), then they really should help us out by giving us a SA section.

We'll see how those discussions go. I'll do my best...

[Palermo10]

I think you'll find that a lot of us who do our own independent travel and support would love to join in if SA can get designated seating for a lot of games. (I'm thinking Gold Cup 2007)

[Thomas Flannigan]

Monty, best of luck. I can’t think of a better person to make our case to the USSF. But I am not optimistic. I think some of the reluctance to help or even tolerate a Sam’s Army phenomenon comes from the sponsors, who want a family friendly atmosphere at the games. Men standing, screaming, banging drums and (OH MY) uttering profanity is anathema to this viewpoint. Quite simply, if the USSF does not get in the regular habit of giving US Supporters a ticket allocation together I don’t see passionate fan support improving. When it comes to tickets, whether it is policy or chaos does not matter too much if we can’t be together to stand and show our patriotic feelings.
Is anyone willing to start a thread along the lines of “Victory in Caracas 2007?” The Copa American starts almost exactly one year from today and it seems Sunil Gulati is reconsidering an earlier decision not to accept an invitation for the US to send a team. I have been doing a bit of research all week on Venezuelan travel and have called Caracas. I have also traveled to Venezuela and I think hardcore fans would have a blast there. If you use miles (35,000 on United), ride the excellent local buses, and stay in cheap hotel, you could do a 9 day, 3 game trip there for as little as $600.

[Palermo10]

Local buses would be difficult for travel between cities - if you start a thread I'll post what I've found.

[Thomas Flannigan]

Palermo, I can't start any threads. But I don't want to mess up a South Africa thread with Venezuelan dreams!

[Pike]

Hey,

I actually registered for Sam's Army earlier int he year, and I heard absolutely nothing back from them.

I was only able to go to three US Nats teams, only one was afull national team: Chicago USA- Poland 1-1. The other game was the Womend semi Final in the 1996 Olympics and the US U-23 Olympic team in New Orleans. (Note: I was born in raised in New Orleans, and I now live in Chicago,... so I only travelled to one game).

Anyway, I have't realized that Sam's Army were that rowdy.

I would suggest that US Soccer recognized to organizations... support Sam's Army for what it is, a rowdy celebratory organization, and support a newly created organization with an emphasis on family. This would allow the fans of US Soccer to celebrate, while at the same time allow them to express themselves as they feel fit.

Thoughts

Pike


Monty, best of luck. I can’t think of a better person to make our case to the USSF. But I am not optimistic. I think some of the reluctance to help or even tolerate a Sam’s Army phenomenon comes from the sponsors, who want a family friendly atmosphere at the games. Men standing, screaming, banging drums and (OH MY) uttering profanity is anathema to this viewpoint. Quite simply, if the USSF does not get in the regular habit of giving US Supporters a ticket allocation together I don’t see passionate fan support improving. When it comes to tickets, whether it is policy or chaos does not matter too much if we can’t be together to stand and show our patriotic feelings.
Is anyone willing to start a thread along the lines of “Victory in Caracas 2007?” The Copa American starts almost exactly one year from today and it seems Sunil Gulati is reconsidering an earlier decision not to accept an invitation for the US to send a team. I have been doing a bit of research all week on Venezuelan travel and have called Caracas. I have also traveled to Venezuela and I think hardcore fans would have a blast there. If you use miles (35,000 on United), ride the excellent local buses, and stay in cheap hotel, you could do a 9 day, 3 game trip there for as little as $600.

[Michigan Chivas Fan]

Thanks for all the info guys.