Is it decent...or a bunch of drunken Soccer nuts?

[futboldreams]

This thread is not so much a discussion board although if it elicites that type of response great. This is more to express a request and hope for Soccer fans all across the globe.

Today I received an e-mail from a fellow employee from my company (telecommunications). He wanted to take his kids to a Metrostars soccer game over the weekend and wanted to ask me, as he knows I'm a soccer fan, about the crowds. His words, and i quote, were "What are the Saturday night crowds like. Is it decent for the kids. Or is it a bunch of drunken Soccer nuts?".

To most of us this statement would seem silly at best and ludicrous at worst however it does bring to the surface a certain stigma that goes along with soccer. That soccer is a sport for drunken, rowdy, and raucous fans.

This message is more a plea to all soccer fans out there. Please remain true to the passion of the game. Don't forget why you love to watch the players on the pitch. Be considerate, be respectful, but above all, be passionate about the game of soccer. We are ambassadors every single time we talk about it, every moment we wish others could share in our joy, and every time we high-five our fellow stadium goers after watching our team score the go ahead goal.

The only way soccer will grow is by attracting new fans. I wonder how many stay away out of concern as my friend showed above. Geez, I hope I was right when I said there is nothing to worry about. I hope to hear from him next Monday with stories of how great the game was and how passionate and 'well-behaved' the fans were and that he can't wait for the next home game. We'll see on Monday if we have some new soccer fans to welcome!!!

[Paul Nasta]

Tell your friend he needs to get out more.

For what it's worth, I've taken my daughter to 4 or 5 Metros games (total) this season and last. She'll be 4 in a month or so. No problem (other than the fact that she is sometimes more interested in what candy I'll buy her next than the soccer).

But I understand where you're coming from. I took my nephews and a niece (my sister's kids) to CMGI for USA-Holland in May. Beforehand, my sister e-mailed me with essentially the same concern as your co-worker. Needless to say, we went, and the kids had a great time.

[Northside Rovers]

I am usually drunk AND well-behaved. It is a skill I have developed through years of practice.

I would take my 4 year old to any MLS stadium for any game. He hasn't been this year just thru circumstance.

Going to any MLS game is no more dangerous than going to any NBA or NFL game - probably less.

I take your point though and I do pretty much as you suggest. If you see a soccer story on TV, odds are good it is about a riot. I just finished reading "Among the Thugs" and we can all be thankful that stuff will likely not happen here.

[kebzach]

moving thread from MLS general

[adam]

Originally posted by futboldreams


To most of us this statement would seem silly at best and ludicrous at worst however it does bring to the surface a certain stigma that goes along with soccer. That soccer is a sport for drunken, rowdy, and raucous fans.



Crazy fans are one of the main reasons I was attracted to soccer in the first place.

In fact, I wish your so-called "stigma" was more prevalent than the real stigma soccer in the US carries....uptight soccer moms and upper class suburbanites.

[Charles]

As I think Yogi Berra once said, I resemble that remark...

As far as this Suburbanite is concerned, a soccer match is a great atmosphere and a great time!

I took my daughter to a women's match in Portland just prior to WC'99 and had a great time; the only reason we haven't been to Denver or San Jose for MLS is schedules/money/time---but we've got some trips in the works;

The best preparation is watching some on TV, so the kids have some idea of who/what to look for, of course.

Go for it!

[Etienne_72772]

I wonder how many people here in the states actually feel a little weird, or put-off by the supporters section. That strange group of people that stand throughout the whole game and chant, cheer, wave flags, beat drums. This sort of thing doesn't happen at US sporting events. The crowd is supposed to sit down and wait patiently for something to cheer about, not be proactive about the cheering.

[detter7]

I've been to a few games at a few different stadiums where certain sections are just rude. They swear and give the finger. I've found that mezzanine or upper level seats are good for families since many supporter groups stay in the lower levels.

When I was a wee little one my dad took me to a baseball game and we had box seats. I don't remember the game, but the box seats were cool. I hate baseball anyway.

[detroitexpress]

I don't get the appeal of all the swearing. I guess if you're drunk it seems like fun.

[UncleSam527]

No offense, but it is not very attractive to parents who take their kids to the game when the Columbus North End (V-Army, is that you?) is chanting F--- You! at the MetroStars.

[Mattbro]

I wouldn't worry about it people - they'll be hearing much worse when they enroll in school.

Besides, unless you talk like a teamster at home, they won't grow up talking that way.

[SABuffalo786]

Originally posted by Northside Rovers
I am usually drunk AND well-behaved. It is a skill I have developed through years of practice.

I would take my 4 year old to any MLS stadium for any game. He hasn't been this year just thru circumstance.

Going to any MLS game is no more dangerous than going to any NBA or NFL game - probably less.

I take your point though and I do pretty much as you suggest. If you see a soccer story on TV, odds are good it is about a riot. I just finished reading "Among the Thugs" and we can all be thankful that stuff will likely not happen here.

NFL games are a very hostile enviroment. I don't know if this is the norm around the country at varioius NFL cities, but Ralph Wilson Stadium, the Bills home park, is really not a family place at all. I haven't been there in a year or two but I all I remember is seeing conga lines of neon coated ushers every 5 minutes, breaking up fights all over the stadium. Everyone is piss drunk, you can smell pot all around the tailgate areas, its a mess (for families at least). MLS is a healthy alternative to helmetball.

[detroitexpress]

I hope when MLS does get popular that the crowds are well behaved. I haven't gone to a Detroit Lions game in years since the crowds started getting so rowdy. I much prefer the Detroit Tigers family atmosphere. It's better for kids, better when you're entertaining people from out of town, better for yourself. When I go to a sports game I'm in the mood to relax. I'm not in the mood for a drunken riot. Cheer, boo, sing, it's all fine - but the fighting and excessive swearing will keep me away every time.

[adam]

Originally posted by detroitexpress
When I go to a sports game I'm in the mood to relax.

That's what your couch and bigscreen TV are for.

I'm not advocating violence, but when I go to a sporting event I want to let loose and have a good time. That's the fun of going to a live event.
It's the same reason I like going to concerts. If I was just there to relax and listen to music I'd be wasting money cause my cd player works just fine.

[Chris_Bailey]

Originally posted by UncleSam527
No offense, but it is not very attractive to parents who take their kids to the game when the Columbus North End (V-Army, is that you?) is chanting F--- You! at the MetroStars.

Possibly sitting too close? We've already had most of the families moved out of 137 and all 137 ticket sales go through us. We've cut down many of our chants and gestures, just as the those bastards in Chicago were forced to. We're on a fine line, but that's the way it has to/will be to make everyone happy.


Only in America.

[Chris_Bailey]

Originally posted by Etienne_72772
I wonder how many people here in the states actually feel a little weird, or put-off by the supporters section. That strange group of people that stand throughout the whole game and chant, cheer, wave flags, beat drums. This sort of thing doesn't happen at US sporting events. The crowd is supposed to sit down and wait patiently for something to cheer about, not be proactive about the cheering.


This is the culture clash that, I feel, keeps MLS attendance/respect from growing at a faster rate.

[USRufnex]

Originally posted by Etienne_72772
I wonder how many people here in the states actually feel a little weird, or put-off by the supporters section. That strange group of people that stand throughout the whole game and chant, cheer, wave flags, beat drums. This sort of thing doesn't happen at US sporting events. The crowd is supposed to sit down and wait patiently for something to cheer about, not be proactive about the cheering.

Actually, I think it's something that casual fans (if and when they come to the games) can respect and enjoy. How impressive is the spontaneous cheering/singing of a REAL group of die-hard fans compared to cheers induced by some guy in the press box or some electonic scoreboard?

That said, I do worry that too much of a good thing could scare off those suburban soccer moms (and dads) we hear so much about. Individual fans yelling obsenities is one thing: hearing those cheers loud and clear from a so-called "supporters' group" is quite another.

I still see tons of kids at most games I've attended and know that unless we get those kids' parents to take them to the games, we've lost a huge opportunity to advance the sport and put butts in seats (god knows, the media won't be giving us any help on THAT one any time soon).

I think the games in this country need to be more "family friendly" than other major sports (NFL, NBA, NASCAR) because right now I just don't see much potential in older adults (40+) embracing the sport without help/education from their soccer-crazy kids.

I actually think it's easier taking kids to MLS than about any other sport right now. It's much more likely that the drunken idiot spewing obsenities is sitting/standing/gesticulating in the next row or two in front of you at the --insert team/sport here-- game than your typical MLS game. Hey, at least most of our teams have their drunken idiots in their own sections?!?... :)