Report on US/Mexico (Sam's Army)

[purojogo]

http://www.sams-army.com/index.php?Mlist=content_full&Article_id=144

[mpruitt]

/me thinks Sams Army is a pretty self important organization.

[OriginalAEK]

I'm not sure what it is they accomplished. Quite frankly, i think sam's army is more of a social club than anything else.

[FlashMan]

self-important or not, the Army was in great form last Thurs. and looked great on tv.

well done.

[RoverMax]

Sam's Army is pretty visible when you look at the stadium. I would think that they would have more Sam's Army at the stadium, the group was pretty small at the game, it was only a section.

[StillKickin]

The only thing with being with Sam's Army - and the reason we didn't get our tickets with them - was because you HAVE to wear red. I know it's our color and all, but we had white National team jerseys that we wanted to wear - or else we'd had purchased our tickets with Sams' Army. But we were very vocal where we sat too - right behind the Mexico bench!

[MLSNHTOWN]

I didn't sit with the Army although I believed I am a registered member because I was sitting in the more expensive seats in the dead center of the field.

[Northside Rovers]

I am not a member - but would have liked to have sat with them.

Except it was difficult to get tickets in that same section.

Get the tickets blocked off easier and more people would buy them - or at least have a consistent way to request a section. Which may not have been possible this time.

[law5guy]

I was there... and in the Sam's Army section. I don't consider myself 'self importiant' at all.

Remember.. it was a NOT a weekend game. If it was on a weekend, I know that the Sam's Army section would have been stonger. It was mostly a local Dallas/Houston group... and most of them had never been US game. Texas is a really big High School 'pointy end' football state, so it was somewhat approporate, and a bit humorious when a humorous "Hit 'em again harder harder" chant started up in the 1st half when a Mexican player went down.

At least they didn't try the infamous.... "1,2,3,4 what do you think those cleats are for... Let's Stomp 'Em" or "Rah Rah Ree, kick 'em in the knee. Rah Rah rass... kick 'em in the other knee" ;-)

Not sure if Sam's Army are "self important" or not. But, the folks in red seem to be the only one's standing and cheering in a somewhat organized fashion the whole game long.

Said the Houston Chonicle ... "Even though the Mexican fans held the numerical edge, the most eye-catching section of the Reliant stands was in the south end zone where members of Sam's Army stood out in their red shirts. "

US Soccer must think that Sam's Army is fairly importiant?? The Army gets a price break from US Soccer. A US Soccer official made sure that the Sam's Army banner was placed in the staduim before the game started.

And, the picture...
http://images.chron.com/content/news/photos/03/05/08/usmex/photo12.jpg

[law5guy]

Originally posted by Northside Rovers
I am not a member - but would have liked to have sat with them.

Except it was difficult to get tickets in that same section.

Get the tickets blocked off easier and more people would buy them - or at least have a consistent way to request a section. Which may not have been possible this time.

Northside Rover... Take your internet browser and point it at http://www.sams-army.com

You will find all the info on how to join in on all the fun. Usually links for tickets are posted soon after the games are announced. They have ticket info up all the way through the Gold Cup match against Martinique on 7/14. Hope top see you at a game soon.

[RoverMax]

I actually may join Sam's Army. If a national team game is every in the NYC area, I would definitely try to get seats with them. It seems like a good bunch to sit with and you know that when you sit with them, you don't have to be bothered with fans of the opposing team.

[Hey Waft Man]

Originally posted by USAMax34
I actually may join Sam's Army. If a national team game is every in the NYC area, I would definitely try to get seats with them. It seems like a good bunch to sit with and you know that when you sit with them, you don't have to be bothered with fans of the opposing team. You can help bring games to the NYC area. Lobby the New Jersey legislature in favor of a soccer-specific stadium for the MetroStars. Meanwhile, there's a very organized group of Sammers in your area called the "North Jersey Brigade". They coordinate efforts to travel to USA matches in nearby venues, like Columbus and New England.

[RoverMax]

Originally posted by Hey Waft Man
You can help bring games to the NYC area. Lobby the New Jersey legislature in favor of a soccer-specific stadium for the MetroStars. Meanwhile, there's a very organized group of Sammers in your area called the "North Jersey Brigade". They coordinate efforts to travel to USA matches in nearby venues, like Columbus and New England.

Thanks a lot, I will look into it. I don't know if I could make the trips, but I would love for the USMNT to play another game here in the NYC Metro Area soon. I think if another game came here, it would sell out. There has been a lot of success selling tickets to the Manure/Juventus game in July in Giants Stadium, I think it sold out.

[jcerak]

Originally posted by maxim-1
/me thinks Sams Army is a pretty self important organization.

Ask the US players what they think of Sam's Army. I don't think too many people are interested in what you thinks...

[Hecho en Mexico]

i watched the game...saw them but never really heard any "chants" from them...sad really...

[nicodemus]

Originally posted by Impaled
i watched the game...saw them but never really heard any "chants" from them...sad really... I was sitting in that section, and like someone mentioned earlier, the section was full of new people...which is good, but I think most folks there didn't really know what was up, which would explain the quietness. I was in the section in Miami for Argentina game and that was much better in terms of coordination, volume, etc.

As far as the "self-importantness" of Sam's Army, I don't really see it, because I see it as a pretty disorganized group and one where most people are strangers to each other. I can tell some people know each other, but that's a rarity for the most part. I've sat in that section at a few games and always try to introduce myself to those around me. Some people in that section do try to assume a "leadership" role by trying to rile others up to cheer. I don't really think this works because most people don't like taking directives from people they don't know. Eventhough I know they're just being passionate about the game, some people probably feel like they're being yelled at. Anyway, people traveling regularly to matches is still a rare thing amongst US fans and those that see more than a few games a year are probably the overwhelming minority. People trying to organize coordinated support and cheering are trailblazers of sorts and despite its disorganization sometimes, it still has noble intentions. Over time, it will get better.

[mpruitt]

its just all this, "look how great WE did. look at all the things that WE did. WE accomplished OUR mission!!!"

that's great that you're there and pretty organized, vocal with all your shirts or whatever, but the focus is on the game and the players not what the supporters are doing imo.

plus there's all this whinning that goes on. "the players didn't clap for us at this or that game. nobodies wearing read blah blah blah." it takes more to be a fan than sitting in a certain section and wearing a certain color is all i'm saying.

[nyrmetros]

Sams-Army kicks ARSE!!!!!!!!
:)

[mpruitt]

i do think they're great for being there and for legitimately trying to start something but i stand by what i said.

[nancyb]

Folks, let's try to remain relatively civil here. If you don't like what Sam's Army does, you don't need to sit with them at games.