Just got back from a fantastic couple of games. USA v Costa Rica in Chicago and USA v Paraguay in Philly. First time sitting in the AO section (both games). Loved the support. Loved the energy. Loved standing the whole game. Respect that we did not boo the opponent's national anthem. Something that grated on me was when our own AO fans at times yelled out loudly in criticism of OUR players. The big critiques in BigSoccer land right now are Bradley's mistakes (the occasional missed pass) and Gyasi's first touch, and I heard these coming from the stands. "Come on, Bradley!" "Dammit, Gyasi!" Not everyone. But it happened. More than once. From more than a few people. There's no place for that. Those players are busting their asses out there. They know when they made a mistake. And yes, they can hear you. Vast majority of the American Outlaws, no problem. But if the dude next to you is one of the handful who does that shit, it's on you to tell them to knock it off. Unite and rally! On to Seattle!
Come on man. We all get frustrated with bad plays. We get in the moment. Its not all cheery and positive. Is starting loud, organized chants denigrating a player a good call? Probably not. But expressing frustration in the moment (which is highly likely to go unheard by the player) is part of being a passionate spectator.
So to recap we have... It's all unicorns and rainbows for 90 minutes Player screws up - it happens, it's frustrating, but we move on Player screws up - groan Player screws up - you yell out, "Gyasi you suck!" during the silence after a broken play Players screw up - we all yell out "Gyasi sucks" clap clap clap-clap-clap (repeat) So this is where you draw the line. I draw it one line higher. I didn't specify in the OP, but people were yelling out their vitriol toward our players at the top of their lungs. It's childish and counterproductive.
Childish behavior in AO section? Never!!!!! Well, maybe some of the time. If they follow it up with an "I believe!" chant, it is all good.
Seriously? 'Come on Bradley and a Dammit, Gyasi' is too confrontational to yell at a game where you're passionate and emotionally invested in a team representing your country. You know they can't hear them, and its not personal.
If it's in the heat of the moment I understand. We have all said/ screamed/posted online embarrassing things when we are caught up in the emotion of the game. But I do agree there is a line. Screaming out as loud as you can in a quiet moment well removed from a specific incident for me that crosses the line.
My issue with the OP is the manufactured Sams Army issue against AO. Sorry but I just disagree. To claim that "AO is against a player" couldn't be farther from the truth. Are fans mad at some players. Of course they are. Does it have anything to do with AO? Absolutely not.
OP said some in AO section, not AO in entirety. Just asking folks in section to police. Don't see anything wrong with that.
For all the $ you pay to go to these games, you should be able to yell almost anything you want. I think you should be able to yell at your own players if you think they're playing stupidly or not giving a good effort. I'd bet their coaches and teammates occasionally do.
You can yell anything you want. Just kind of weird when it gets excessive from people in a supporter section.
You're allowed to yell just about whatever you want. It's just like that some things you yell might make you a dick and some things might not.
Dude at the game last night yelled Bobby Wood's name every 30 seconds. Actually couldn't even pronounce his name properly calling him Bobby Dig or something. Now that was weird.
This is a men's competition. These aren't children so barring any organized chants or personal attacks on family/lifestyle/race etc their is nothing wrong with verbally criticizing a poor performance in the moment. I doubt the players are getting their feelings hurt by this. And if they are we have other problems.
Women will not have gained true equality in this world until I can yell "You suck!" at a professional woman athlete and not feel bad about it.
That stuff is fine, good even. The supporters section should be getting on players asses when they perform poorly. That's half of their responsibility. If they forgo that responsibility then they are little more than cheerleaders. fan ≠ cheerleader
Sometimes, when the whole team is playing listlessly, I want to sing the old punk rock song from the Clash: "I'm So Bored With the U.S.A."
Who gets to decide what is appropriate? Once I was at a Galaxy game, and some dude with his 17 year old daughter tried to get me crap for using the F word loudly. Not even directed at a specific player, more like "Get the f'n ball man!" But quite simply he did not understand the section he was in. It was the fan's section, and within 30 second the entire section started chanting, "Hey Dempsey, F You!" And this shut him up. We sit in the fans sections because we like to get rowdy and have a good time. It it not necessarily meant to be a family atmosphere--it is adult time. So long as nothing truly derogatory (racial abuse etc.) is said, there should be considerable leeway as to crude comments. Especially when they are funny.
You can be an adult without swearing though. I know many adults who do not swear. Especially in public.