Supporters Pics - US/Barbados weekend @ HDC - June 14-15, 2008

[NutHouse4life01]

Enjoy - http://www.flickr.com/photos/7694376@N03/sets/72157605637236143/

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[Gameface]

No doubt, the Columbus Brigade was well represented. You taught the California Brigade a few lessons this afternoon!

[Elninho]

No doubt, the Columbus Brigade was well represented. You taught the California Brigade a few lessons this afternoon!

Two things:

1) A big chunk of the SoCal Brigade (overlap with Galaxy fan groups) had to choose between the trip to San Jose and this match.

2) Who let the plastic horns in? I couldn't even hear the guys next to me half the time, what with the overwhelming sound of dying cows...

[rokstedy]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/rokstedy/Soccer/USA/2008-06-15%20US-Barbados/DSC01068.jpg

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[Galaxian]

No doubt, the Columbus Brigade was well represented. You taught the California Brigade a few lessons this afternoon!

This is what made me mad throughout the game.

I think it is extremely disrespectful and just classless to be yelling at the people who are hosting you about how they arent '' loud '' or '' good '' enough. There were a few times during the game when we were quiet, because the entire front of the section was in the sun and it was beating down on us. The back was yelling they wanted drum support, but for chanting '' GDP ''. We gave drum support whenever the back was starting songs or chants, and we got them going in the front also.

The section was loud and unified throughout the game, even with a huge chunk of fans from LA arriving at five this morning from an all night bus trip, which hurt our numbers a lot. I just thought it was really dumb that we have US fans yelling that other US fans arent doing good enough, when the section was loud the entire time.

I would never go to NY and yell at the fans there that they arent good enough, or DC or Columbus or Dallas or anywhere else, but thats just me I guess.

[JayDelight729]

What seems to work from what I have seen is the drums a couple rows in front of the main line/rows of singers. You don't want the drums too far away. Plus, when the drums are behind the singers, it seems to drown out the voices a bit.

In addition, there is no prize given to being close to the front of the section. The sound seems to project a bit better from the middle as opposed to the front heading backwards.

So, while you may enjoy being close to the field and all that jazz, there's a reason you have TIVO and there's a reason why you are in the Supporters Section. If you see too much of the game and can analyze every single player on the field, then you weren't doing enough in the section.

One other thing, some folks at HDC on Sunday were also at Giants Stadium the week prior. So, while it may be unfair to those who just went to HDC, those weeks a week before got to witness nearly 80,000 people and a boisterous atmosphere. A week later they are watching the US face a CONCACAF minnow in a stadium three times smaller.

It sucks and its an unfair comparison, but that's what some people will do.

[DirtyDefender]

Fortunately, Chase (Galaxian) and his crew decided to skip the San Jose game and had fresh legs to pull the section together on Sunday. The few of us who managed to do both trips were f'ing knackered by half time.

Thanks to everyone who came in from various parts of the country, and lent their voices for the cause. We were loud and had the entire stadium (all 11,000) into it many times.

Although I must say that I'm a bit perplexed at the negativity towards the SoCal Brigade. If you didn't have a good time in LA, or did not think that we were good hosts, then please reconsider returning again.

[2ndAveFC]

It's just not practical to have a qualifier at the HDC. LA just swallows up any event and it's too big and difficult to get organized. I understand USSF was probably having it there to save $$ (as opposed to having to rent out another city), but you should have to "earn" to host just as you would have to earn your spot on the roster. Places like Portland and SLC are infinitely better places than LA - I think the decision makers are thinking the support of Beckham will translate to USA support. Give the games to people who want it.

I'll admit, I was a little disappointed with the section, but I appreciate the effort and understand the circumstances - given the paltry crowd, it seemed loud and fun in there nonetheless. One word of advice - when a group of people (in this case, the back of the section) are cheering, don't step on their cheer by trying to start another one. Don't worry, we have plenty of time for all of them.

But all in all, it was a great time. I mean, 8-0 wins don't happen all the time, right? Made the drive home to AZ a little bit more tolerable.

[2ndAveFC]

Oh, and the Road to RSA #10 jersey is great

[thethinwhiteduke]

i flew in from NYC and sat in Section 137. i was at the friendly vs argentina the week before and the qualifier at the HDC. i must say i was VERY impressed with the guys from the SoCal Brigade. i dont know any of them by name, but they were in full voice for the match, leading people, yelling, standing and singing and did a lot to support the guys on the field.

[Galaxian]

Oh, and the Road to RSA #10 jersey is great

haha that is Rishi.

About what you just said, drowning out chants that were already going , I think sometimes people wouldnt hear them, and just start going with new ones. I would try to get everyone on the same page, but when there are two groups both going with a chant, it's hard to get both together at that moment.

I had a good time, and even though the section was small we were pretty loud and everyone had a good time.

[JayDelight729]

haha that is Rishi.

About what you just said, drowning out chants that were already going , I think sometimes people wouldnt hear them, and just start going with new ones. I would try to get everyone on the same page, but when there are two groups both going with a chant, it's hard to get both together at that moment.

I had a good time, and even though the section was small we were pretty loud and everyone had a good time.

Just out of curiosity, how big was the section?

[metroflip73]

haha that is Rishi.



He wore it to USA-ARG if I recall. I did see Ed's tri-corner hat on TV. Coulda sworn it was him.

[DirtyDefender]

About what you just said, drowning out chants that were already going , I think sometimes people wouldnt hear them, and just start going with new ones. I would try to get everyone on the same page, but when there are two groups both going with a chant, it's hard to get both together at that moment.

Tommy Mack (the Riot Squad's regular unofficial section cappo) receives the exact same type of feedback all the time:

- Drums should be a in a different place
- Don't start a new song when one is already going
- Need more drum support when someone starts a song

It's all good feedback, but it's really tough to get all of this sorted for US games where the group dynamic changes drastically every game.

[rksehga]

This is what made me mad throughout the game.

I think it is extremely disrespectful and just classless to be yelling at the people who are hosting you about how they arent '' loud '' or '' good '' enough. There were a few times during the game when we were quiet, because the entire front of the section was in the sun and it was beating down on us. The back was yelling they wanted drum support, but for chanting '' GDP ''. We gave drum support whenever the back was starting songs or chants, and we got them going in the front also.

The section was loud and unified throughout the game, even with a huge chunk of fans from LA arriving at five this morning from an all night bus trip, which hurt our numbers a lot. I just thought it was really dumb that we have US fans yelling that other US fans arent doing good enough, when the section was loud the entire time.

I would never go to NY and yell at the fans there that they arent good enough, or DC or Columbus or Dallas or anywhere else, but thats just me I guess.

Dude, you brought this on yourself. You came on here and told people not to bring drums into the section because you already had enough drums. For some reason, people listened to you. Then, your drummers hardly played. You have not been to enough games to see "how it works."

There was a point where I started a chant "Beat those drums! Beat those drums!" and one of your drummers joined in the chant. That was sheer comedy.

[DirtyDefender]

Dude, you brought this on yourself. You came on here and told people not to bring drums into the section because you already had enough drums. For some reason, people listened to you. Then, your drummers hardly played. You have not been to enough games to see "how it works."

Actually, that was me that requested that we not have too many drums. When we have more than two drums, they tend to get out of synch, and mess up the rhythm of the group.

Drumming just for the sake of drumming, discourages people from starting up new songs.

It's fine if you if you disagree with this approach, but if you ever come back to SoCal for a US game, please express your opinions in a more respectful manner.

[rksehga]

It's fine if you if you disagree with this approach, but if you ever come back to SoCal for a US game, please express your opinions in a more respectful manner.


This whole "turf" issue is stupid. The national team is the national team, regardless of where they play. The atmosphere yesterday was less than stellar, mainly due to the level of competition, but to not be using the drums was just silly.

[JayDelight729]

It's fine if you if you disagree with this approach, but if you ever come back to SoCal for a US game, please express your opinions in a more respectful manner.

I understand where you are going with the drum sequence, but that's not the point. There are people around the country who can drum on key all the time, let them drum. We can use all the support we can get. If that comes from people playing the drum, let them play.

Besides, if the game had a full crowd and 3,000 people singing, you would need a lot more than two drums.

As for your above comment, that's about as lame as any I have read on BigSoccer over the years and that's saying something.

This was a USMNT game. You nor does any other group get special preference because of where a game was played. Yes, you and others live closer to the stadium. Yes, you and others may know the area better. I'm sure you even know the stadium and its logistics better. But when push comes to shove, the people that will sing, will sing. The people that will drum, will drum. And the people that will stand and watch, will be the people that stand and watch.

If all throughout this qualifying process, each "local" group gets all moan and groan whenever a traveler comes and isn't thrilled with the atmosphere, this is going to be nauseating.

My advice to all is to just up your aguante. This is not about stadium and stadium rights.

We're all here to give our country a louder voice. Whomever leads is just as important as who follows.

[Galaxian]

Dude, you brought this on yourself. You came on here and told people not to bring drums into the section because you already had enough drums. For some reason, people listened to you. Then, your drummers hardly played. You have not been to enough games to see "how it works."

There was a point where I started a chant "Beat those drums! Beat those drums!" and one of your drummers joined in the chant. That was sheer comedy.

The amount of drummers is usually enough , but some of the times I would hear you saying '' get the drummers going '' or something like that , i didnt even hear that a chant was going for them to drum to. Maybe if they moved higher up in the section that would have been better , but there wasnt much space for them to move to.

I was a little wary of just handing the drum over, cause i had one come back broken when I did that at another game.

The section wasnt huge, but we were loud for the entire game , and i was proud of my group for going for 90 minutes in the sun. It was hot as hell !

[DirtyDefender]

The section wasnt huge, but we were loud for the entire game , and i was proud of my group for going for 90 minutes in the sun. It was hot as hell !

I couldn't agree more. I got into the stadium late, as I was still passing out tickets, but from what I could see, your group was rocking and everyone was having a good time.

Great job brother!