How'd I know you'd post something along these lines. Ha. Sounds like they are ending the free membership program. On face value sounds like it makes some sense. For those that have existing paid membership are just fine, no changes.
I didn't renew this year. The only reason why I really did it in the first place was for the field pass for the open training. Went to 5 games last year, no open training sessions. I will get my tickets through AO, and wait until US soccer makes my 60 dollar membership worth it again.
Hopefully you are fully aware of what goes into sitting in the AO section. I did it for the recent Confederations Cup Playoff against Mexico, and while it was an unforgettable experience I can't say I'm eager to repeat it. It's not for everyone, especially if you're used to sitting midfield.
I have in the past (went to 5 games last year), and love it. I take pride in being part of the game, and happily stand with AO. In fact, given the choice I would choose standing and singing AO over seats at the half line any day.
Exactly, and I will take my AO chances with getting some. It just isn't worth it to me. Trying to call and get ahold of someone for help with tickets was like pulling teeth
This is the reason I joined as well. I made the mistake of not being a member when the USWNT visited Boca Raton in December 2012 and missed the chance to meet the players up close. I joined for the Jacksonville practice two months later, and thankfully my renewal fee has been paid as a Christmas gift each year ever since. Of course, you can't always make it to the practice, and even if you can, there's no guarantee the field pass will be a benefit. Often the fans in the stands get a better view, and some occasions U.S. Soccer will deny fans the autograph session afterwards. Nevertheless, I like the insurance of being prepared should I find myself near an open training. And I also like having the extra fan credentials. Throw in the membership card, scarf, and the yearbook and it's not a terrible value. Granted that's probably easier for me to say since I haven't paid for it out of pocket for three years... Yeah, there's not much "sitting" in the AO section. Shouting, singing, chanting, jumping, pounding drums, a handful of expletives. It's not for everyone. But I usually get the cheapest ticket anyway, which is on the endline, so I might as well join fans who are as enthusiastic as I am [if a little bit louder]. And the team often seems to give the Outlaws section special recognition for their support, which can be very rewarding. The one thing that really bothered me about my first AO experience in Orlando was the putrid smell of a certain illegal [in Florida] drug consumed through the lungs at one point during the game. Fortunately I realized that the red-white-and-blue bandanna provided in the membership kit doubles as a gas mask, and it wasn't enough to make me not buy tickets in the Outlaws section for my next three games.
I've been to a lot of games and never smelled weed or whatever at a game. Not saying it doesn't happen but I think it's rare.
You're probably right and I hope you are. But at the game it did start a chant from some of the Outlaws [myself excluded] asking the guilty party to share. I wasn't saying that it's something that happens at every game or that it could only happen in the Outlaws section. I smell that disgusting odor in the most random places; local parks, a parking garage outside a Weird Al Yankovic concert downtown...
If it was only smelling weed in the AO section I would have had nothing to complain about. I was more concerned with a few AO members making racist comments and trying to intimidate a few of the mexican fans who were in the section as well. A few d-bags started booing the Mexican national anthem although they were shooshed by a few other AO members. On top of all that there was some really negative bellowing and insults being directed towards a few of our players which I just don't understand. I guess some people enjoy sloppy drunks falling backwards into you all not, but not me. Yeah yeah, I know that it was probably a few bad apples but in all the dozen or so US games I've attended (and not sat in the supporters section) I haven't had a similar experience.
Yes. But it was for "venue passes" where you could buy tickets for each game at a particular venue. For Philadelphia (where I want to buy tickets) the venue passes started at $150 (upper deck endzone) to $1,500 field (lower half, lower section midfield). I have no interest in traveling multiple times to Philly to see other teams so I'm going to wait until individual tickets are on sale. Anybody have any idea when that is happening?
We got the USSoccer code yesterday. We were looking to buy tickets for the Bay Area venue (Levi's stadium). By 12:15, the link still wasn't working (Ticketmaster kept saying the event was not yet available). Fortunately, we are also STHs for the Earthquakes, so we used the link that they sent us, and that link worked and we bought our venue tickets (all 4 games). Edit: BTW, we have a contact thru the USSoccer Patrons program. She told us only the venue seats are available now, and the individual tickets would be available after the draw in February.
I have never smelled weed in the AO section, in any of my games, either domestic or international. I would not be surprised if this was the case. HOWEVER, that is because at almost every large sporting event that I go to, someone is smoking weed. I have seen it at Giant Stadium for Giants games, concerts at the Belle Center, and even some Yankee games in the bronx. If reefer in the AO section is what is stopping you, buy tickets again and come sing with us; I doubt it will be an issue. I think this is a bit more of an issue, but in terms of the entire AO section (how many were at the Mexico game, around 1,000 outlaws), what percentage were supporting this? And you are going to have negative bellowing at our players when we lose...it is what comes with passion and love for the team. When I saw us lose to Brazil 4-1 this year in Foxboro, I coulnd't help but want to give them a piece of my mind. I spend my vacation at work and savings to see the team play, and when they play like crap...I get upset. I think it is fair.
I specifically said that it was not stopping me and that I've already bought Outlaws section tickets for my next three games. I'm not sure I'll ever sit outside the Outlaws section again, unless I'm accompanied by someone who does not want to sit (stand) there. I do love joining in the chants and songs [most of them] but I can't sing the whole game. In Orlando I was already feeling my voice start to diminish before the game even began.
Hah every game there is those guys. The ones who get lit up hours before thee game and are so stoked, they are chanting full bellow. They get pissed when you don't join in and you're like, "dude it's two hours til kickoff." Sure enough by minute 20 they are quiet and half passed out.
Yea but how did it go? I've also always dreamed of an AGUDELO song to Wiz Khalifa's Black and Yellow. But that's neither here nor there.
I wasn't a big fan so I probably repressed the melody/lyrics/rhythm. The catchiest ones I've heard are the "We're all standing over here" [to the tune of "She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain"] one I heard in Tampa against France and the one I heard in Orlando that went: "Can you hear Brazil sing? Oh oh, oh oh. Can you hear Brazil sing? Oh oh. Oh oh. Can you hear Brazil sing? I can't hear a ******* thing! Oh oh, oh oh, ohh." The "Ruckus" chant was also very popular. Strangely the slant rhyme in that one bothers me more than the profanity.
I need to ask... it has been bugging me since you posted it (not really but sounds dramatic). I understand not wanting to smoke, but how on earth can you not like the smell of it. oh well. <reaches into Cheetos bag and shrugs>
I hate the smell of it. I'm not really going to complain when I'm at a concert or whatever, but I don't like it. Actually prefer the smell of tobacco weirdly enough.