Lol that's what I'm saying, those are their official plans in motion. Single point of contact, single clean group... for home as well as away (which is why Roy from FO was calling all the other teams to only sell away tickets to SE few weeks ago till shitstorm broke out over that too). I'm just saying there are still groups resisting this, and more than 10, 12 years ago when it was just DC and Chicago. For all their faults, Payne's FO knew to tell MLS to mind their own business. the moment they slipped and let some nerd in NYC (who's currently running some kids league in NJ after ********ing a lot of stuff up) start dictating what to do is when it started going downhill. (As far as pre-2004, I have never received any evidence of anything that was that crazy, my first game in 2004 was probably saddest atmosphere I ever saw in my life I used to argue with Chico about this all the time, he'd be talking about some crazy atmosphere in 90s and I'm like too bad you guys had no camera to take 1 pic so you can show me that mr rose colored glasses But that's neither here or there hehe)
Somewhat (hey I'm trying to imitate some american customs if anything). To me it's question of control and trust. If DU has some tickets then we can resell them for lower than club would. DU single game tickets in new stadium would go for 25 so our peeps that can't afford season tickets or work weekends so it doesn't make sense for them can get in... at least some. I just never asked for it till several weeks ago (still no answer) because so many other questions about game day remained unanswered. For us it was just important to break even at the end of the year. Does that make sense? lol that was my doing. Oscar made a mistake of getting me in conference call with Payne and Zack and I was like no chance, we're not putting up sponsor jersey, go to SE. So they went to SE and I guess that convo went different (it also did me no favors with those 2 later on as DU haha) Look, I don't pretend to not be difficult. If you're a square like FO leadership that's there to put in their 40 or whatever hours a week and collect a paycheck before next gig I wouldn't want to deal with my ass either. "Hi DU, we're giving all groups $500, you want?" "Don't want your money but you're welcome to buy 25 scarves and give them to players. We deliver." "Hi DU, you're gonna have to get all your tifo inspected and submit proposal for or you can't do it" "Noone sees our tifo beforehand. I'm a grown man that in 100 displays never did anything inappropriate (baring message banners that can be brought in past security anyway), if you'd like to see it beforehand come help us make it - easy solution. Otherwise guess SE are gonna do tifo." "Hi DU, give me names of who lit up smoke" "We don't give out people's names, use your cameras" "Hi DU, sign these papers about not lighting smoke at games." "Nah" "Hi DU, we want you to make exclusive clothing line..." "Go to SE with that." "Hi DU, we are sending you heineken guy, he'd like to be your sponsor" "Ultras groups don't have sponsors, that's just silly. Go to SE with that." That's some of my convos over years 9Events DC and RFK ones were even better with grass burning banners, flagpole weapons and sarine gas filled balloons - then DCU went and hired the guy that contrived all these tinfoil hat theories as their stadium expert). So yea, I guess I'm pain in the ass, but I'm also predictable. You'll get 90 mins of support in any condition, as long as you don't micromanage. And if you have highest priced supporter tickets in league we'll call you out on it. It's kinda simple. Let people that know atmosphere do atmosphere and you do... I don't know, win some games and sell some tickets? Too hard? SE got scared by FO telling them that FO will organize support themselves if they don't get in line. The same that FO can't send a ********in email right. C'mon.
Boca and River are actually clubs run by their members. The supporters' groups contro To be fair, the Heineken guy went to BB, presumably 'cuz the SEs already had beer sponsors.
Oh that was few months ago for AF, not old sponsorship thing. That was through some other venue, not FO I think, tho same thing. C'mon now, we can buy our own keg and make it different stuff every game, don't need your green shit plastered around. No FO, or sponsor handout ever comes for free. they didn't get rich by writing charity checks
Sal the Drum Man was all the added atmosphere a winning team needed. And nothing tops him running on field to choke the ref or ever will.
I appreciate the atmosphere the SG's bring to MLS matches, but I choose not to be a member, nor would I ever want the SG's to run the show or exert influence that would impact my ability to enjoy the game. If MLS SG's ever trended into the sort of territory you describe, I would be for having them banned entirely. YMMV.
My thought on this is that it would have gone as well as US Soccer's attempt to start a supporters group if anyone remembers that.
Props to the Barra for bringing it at the Plex on Saturday. The SE's were notably absent apart from their banner.
Lots to unpack here for a non-SG fan. But, it seems like it may be a pretty good window into why things went off the rails. I admire your principles. But, oftentimes being principled has a cost.
No-one really "brought it" out there - that was the most boring crowd I've seen yet at the Soccerplex - usually when I get in late I have to fight for a good spot on the rail but no one was there so I just stood off to the side and minded my own business most of the game. I really expected better out of the SE area - I didn't end up going into the crowd there at all, just visited with folks behind the sections. It was nice to see folks I hadn't seen since October The beginning of the snow got more of a loud crowd reaction than at any other point in the game until the 97th minute. Did I miss a team store? Or really any noticeable Front Office presence - didn't notice anyone trying to sell season tickets or anything. The beer line(s) was laid out by someone who had obviously never sold products to the public before.
The beer line was on the opposite side of the stands from the hot chocolate line - I guess they were afraid to cross streams and not have each on both sides Beer was part of the Famous Dave's tent.
Well, the Spirit were selling tickets -- so at least one professional team had a presence. First thing I noticed was no beer garden, but considering how fcuking cold it was, I really was in the mood for bourbon. After the first half, I was contemplating something much stronger.
The TV view of the stands showed them to be less packet in the first half and after the restart enough room in places to swing a cat. Just a wag from the TV but 75% remained at the end. I did see Talon strolling along, so someone of some import from the team was there