curious about the RFK atmosphere

[TheDuffer]

I am just really curious about what its like. I imagine most of you have been to the Meadowlands, i was going to come last year for the game against Catolica but i missed it. how similar are they, how different? I don't want to get into a flame war at all. I have just been hearing alot about how crazy the barra brava and other supporters clubs are. is it still a family friendly enviornment? what are the clubs like? I appreciate your feedback, and i will get down to RFK sooner than later. Thanks in advance.

[sch2383]

I am just really curious about what its like. I imagine most of you have been to the Meadowlands, i was going to come last year for the game against Catolica but i missed it. how similar are they, how different? I don't want to get into a flame war at all. I have just been hearing alot about how crazy the barra brava and other supporters clubs are. is it still a family friendly enviornment? what are the clubs like? I appreciate your feedback, and i will get down to RFK sooner than later. Thanks in advance.
It is a quasi family friendly environment. If you sit in certain areas you are less likely to hear cursing and be surrounded by those who are drunk/drinking. So if you do decide to come down, talk to a ticket rep who knows the breakdowns of the sections and can help you in that.

As for the atmosphere, it can be good, great or phenomenal. The crowd when we beat New England in the 2004 Eastern Conference Final was as good as any sports crowd anywhere and it 2nd in my all time list of crowds (Redskins vs Cowboys, RFK 1993 is number 1).

[JRstriker12]

If you sit on the side with the supporters, the atmosphere is bouncy and badass. You'll even get a few smokebombs after goals.;)

[nyrmetros]

word on the block is that the entire stadium at RFK in the 2004 Boston game was singing...... any video of this ?

[Dave Brother]

word on the block is that the entire stadium at RFK in the 2004 Boston game was singing...... any video of this ?
That's true. That game was the greatest sporting event I have ever attended. As the last PK was being taken the crowd was church mouse quiet. When Nicky blocked it the crowd erupted like a hydrogen bomb. I still get chills remembering it.

[Sundevil9]

word on the block is that the entire stadium at RFK in the 2004 Boston game was singing...... any video of this ?


Likely the best, though, was MLS Cup 1997. Pouring rain, chilly, and filled to the rafters and cheers all around.

The 2004 atmosphere was excellent, but the weather conditions were quite favorable compared to 1997.

[Sachin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJsgQrUAxbY&mode=related&search=

[spidergoose]

I am just really curious about what its like. I imagine most of you have been to the Meadowlands, i was going to come last year for the game against Catolica but i missed it. how similar are they, how different? I don't want to get into a flame war at all. I have just been hearing alot about how crazy the barra brava and other supporters clubs are. is it still a family friendly enviornment? what are the clubs like? I appreciate your feedback, and i will get down to RFK sooner than later. Thanks in advance.
About the only thing I can think of that Giants Stadium and RFK have in common is overpriced beer. The atmosphere at RFK for United games is like nothing you'll find in MLS. Chicago comes close, but they just don't quite have the numbers that we do.

The Eagles and Barra are on the East side, across from the benches. That's the part of the stadium that really rocks and even most of the fans who aren't in the groups are really into the game. Because it's the part of the stadium that rotates for baseball games, the stand is on a mechanism that has some kind of shock absorbers on it. This means that when the supporters start jumping up and down the entire stand literally starts to bounce up and down. It's a sight to behold and it does wonders for getting other fans on our side into the game.

On the north end, behind "home plate" is La Norte who do a great job of bringing the noise over there.

Outside of the 3 groups, it's definitely a family friendly atmosphere, but you might get a little grief on the east side if you're wearing opposing colors. If family friendly is what you're looking for, I'd stick to the West stand or maybe the mezanine/upper deck.

[RayWhitney]

Likely the best, though, was MLS Cup 1997. Pouring rain, chilly, and filled to the rafters and cheers all around.

The 2004 atmosphere was excellent, but the weather conditions were quite favorable compared to 1997.

1997.

Absolutely.

Kilts, drums, and Mario Gori (:rolleyes: )wearing my bucket hat during post-game celebrations

[RayWhitney]

is it still a family friendly enviornment? what are the clubs like? I appreciate your feedback, and i will get down to RFK sooner than later. Thanks in advance.

If you are seeking family-friendly, but still want a sense of the supporters' experience, ask for tickets in section 132. You are near enough to the SEs and BBs to hear them, and it is easy to wander over to directly experience the fun.

[pablo1neum]

That's true. That game was the greatest sporting event I have ever attended. As the last PK was being taken the crowd was church mouse quiet. When Nicky blocked it the crowd erupted like a hydrogen bomb. I still get chills remembering it.

Damn right. That's my favorite United moment of all time. A joyous moment that's flash frozen in my mind. Keepers always have to suffer after a team scores on them, and keepers are the furthest from the action after we score. Rare to see a keeper become the instant hero of the game. God save Nick Rimando!

[RayWhitney]

God save Nick Rimando!

Boy, that's a loaded statement....:o

[MagpieFan]

Being baptized in the blessed rain of 1997 remains one of my greatest sports memories.

Watching WC1998 in everything from a bigscreen in a fancy Nairobi nightclub to a fuzzy 13 inch TV in a bar in Meru with 50 people crammed around it is another.

Seeing Duke stuff it to UNLV in the National semifinal of the NCAA tourney is a third.

2004 against the Revulsion was watched by me on TV and you could feel the electricity all the way up here through the TV...and it felt good...particularly when surrounded by stunned Bostoners!

[BBBulldog]

columbus 2006
http://bastaic.com/ultras/columbus2/barrabravadc-crew2.WMV

metros 2006 (open cup on Wednesday)
http://bastaic.com/ultras/scum5/scum5barravid1.WMV

revs 2004 final
http://bastaic.com/ultras/revs2/RFKunited.WMV

we don't have best video/photo capabilities yet, probably something to work on next year :)

[Red&Black]

the barra brava actually has 3 sections--135 where everyone stands, drums, etc. 136 which is people standing, singing, etc and 137 where some stand and some sit, many of our families choose to sit over there but several are in 136 too.

we have lots of families who belong to the Barra. i don't think its necessarily for every family but we have lot. yeah your kids will hear some cursing, but they will also be exposed to a lot of different type of people of come together for a purpose and they will see the awesome community we've built up for members of all ages.

[gocaps]

the barra brava actually has 3 sections
Right, same with the Screaming Eagles. 134 is the rowdiest, 133 is mid-level, 132 is more family-friendly.

[asitis]

I am just really curious about what its like. I imagine most of you have been to the Meadowlands, i was going to come last year for the game against Catolica but i missed it. how similar are they, how different? I don't want to get into a flame war at all. I have just been hearing alot about how crazy the barra brava and other supporters clubs are. is it still a family friendly enviornment? what are the clubs like? I appreciate your feedback, and i will get down to RFK sooner than later. Thanks in advance.
With respect, I suggest that you sit with the other Red Bull supporters in whatever section United have designated for you. The time has come that we keep our suppoters separated as it's done in most of the world.

So sit with your fellow supporters, root for your team, make some noise. And after the game you can console each other.

asitis
4/10...5/11

[Dave Brother]

Right, same with the Screaming Eagles. 134 is the rowdiest, 133 is mid-level, 132 is more family-friendly.
That's the best part of the Barra and Eagles owning these sections. You can hang with the rowdies or just chill, you get to pick your atmosphere while enjoying the best seats in the house.

[TheDuffer]

don't worry i would plan on sitting with the red bull supporters. i'm a diehard eagles fan and i can't stand when cowboys, redskins, giants fans make a fuss at games in philly. i really want to thank you guys for the help. i plan on working in major league soccer after im done with college (next spring...pray for me) and i am just really curious about the growth of the american soccer supporters club. from what ive heard, and seen at the meadowlands, you guys seem top notch. thanks for helping out a red bulls fan.

btw, i rooted for you guys against catolica, and your team really impressed me (figure you should with 4 championships, right?)

[seahawkdad]

Being baptized in the blessed rain of 1997 remains one of my greatest sports memories...Well, I don't know about you, but I got baptized with blessed beer at the end when everyone erupted. Fortunately I had on my rain poncho.

But for me it was the Rev's game. As I recall, I think the whole stadium was standing for the overtime period. My legs we so weak from the nervous tension that they hurt. That was the greatest sporting event I've ever watched, and the RFK crowd just made it even better.

Come on down. The big difference is that we can fill up the lower bowl with 20,000 and the stadium feels full. The Meadowlands doesn't architecturally let that happen, so even 17,000 seems sparse.

Of course, with 57,000+ (1997) or even 58,000 (the Olympics, US against Portugal) the place really rocks, particularly since it has two overhangs...the upper bowl seats over the lower bowl and the overhang above the upper bowl.

Actually, the pitch invasion game on the way to the 1997 win (I think that was the year) wasn't too shabby either. It was against the Scum, wasn't it?

I'm gonna miss RFK when we finally move. I've seen one hell of a lot of soccer in that stadium.