Most of the back and forth over the last few months has been about the team on the field. How about other things that we as fans want to see resolved this year? Number one for me would be a better TV contract. While DCU had about a dozen games televised last year, about half were home games. That strikes me as counter productive. Anyone else?
Very high priority - making sure CSC understands what is allowed and not allowed in the "supporters' sections."
Both GREAT points, Chico and Mike. I would also add looking into and English radio broadcast. My spanish is not good enough to listen to it in spanish.
I agree a T.V. deal that shows more games must be had as well as the security issues being resolved, but to add something different.... I would like to see a mssive road trip to the swamp. Not a bus, not two buses but more. I would like to see all the BB, LN, SE, and choir members make the trip and embarass the scum and the ESC in the swamo.
I would like someone to resolve the problem that we seemed to have developed of a severe case of suckitis.
Just to add a side note, the CSC meeting has been rescheduled for early Feburary. It is my understanding that three people from each of the groups (La Norte, The Choir, SE and Barra) will attend and I believe that those folks have all been selected and have been or will shortly be contacted with the time and place. Stephen is trying to keep the numbers relatively small to make it a more effective forum. I had a thought that maybe the moderators might want to sticky a thread where people could post ideas and thoughts. I have been asked to attend and would be happy to contribute any concerns or ideas any of you had to meeting, please contact me if there is anything you'd like to highlight. I also had the thought that if some of the others who have been asked to attend might want to get together beforehand to discuss some of the issues. I'd be happy to host a meeting, while we can certainly talk at the happy hour, it is likely to be a bit more productive if we focused on it separately. Anyway just wanted to pass this on.
First of all United needs to start winning again--then the fan numbers will be boosted by all our "Sunshine Patriots." The CSC issue still needs to be worked out. A large convoy to the Swamp or possibly a large scale trip to New England would be great. I liked the cooporation between the supporter clubs last year...we need to continue this. I know a lot more rampant fans from the other clubs than I used to and that's a good thing. The hardtimes have strengthened the core elements of the Barra, SE's and La Norte.
Maybe the Mods can sticky this thread, and if people who post on here can keep it relatively serious, we can get Steve Zack to read thru it. I would also like to see the online store upgraded. If the turnout at the equipment sale was any indication of the level of interest in all things United, than they surely can do a better job of getting their products out to the masses.
Chico, I couldn't agree more, and have been harping on this for a long time. Other clubs seem to be able to deliver better merchndise than us. I think at last count we had 17-20 items in an online store, and most of them are poorly thought out designs. Do our t-shirts really need to look so cheap? Needs Player Jerseys Customizable Jerseys Polo Shirts Pens Tie Expanded Children's Section including youth jerseys Flag Car Flag Adidas jackets
Marketing really needs to improve. One thing that's really interesting is how a small collection of Hispanic radio stations can pull more fan interest. Not to say we mind this fact in the Barra Maybe 24,000 is the interested soccer fan base? It wasn't when we were winning cups, but maybe it is now. I'm still not convinced that many people know the league exists. If as a very hardcore fan I cannot see all United's games I know the people who have a passing interest are really out of the loop. It takes hard work to follow an MLS team.
FYI - These items are available on the MLS web site. http://www.mlsgear.com/search_results.asp?keyword=MLSWAS Now, if they could just link this up with DC United's web site...
You forgot DC United Cowbells! I'd be doing myself and everyone else in this forum a disservice if I didn't play the hell out of this thing!
Seriously though, these are the things on my list: 1. CSC issues 2. Movement on the possible new stadium 3. Improved Supporters Club cooperation 4. English Language Radio 5. TV coverage 6. Stop sucking
Nothing really to add except: I want to have DC's MLS Cups (yes, even 1998 no thanks to Tamberino) on DVD and season highlights on DVD. If somebody has a clue on how to do this, contact me and let's make it happen. Also, I believe Red & Black has publicly declared that it is his mission this year to create a massive road trip to the swamp. Let's make it happen! I want better beer in RFK. I want more snare drummers. I want more people to sing and chant (learn the lyrics). I want to make the drum circle rock even more. I want to be able to get 4 feet of air by jumping at the top of the Barra/Nest bounce. I want the friggin season to start! GM
This isn't new but for us United abroad supporters, more TV games are a must. Even if they aren't broadcast over local DC cable- put them on the Shootout.
Hey GM be careful for what you wish, make sure the drummers we get can play first.......we have a lot of willing people without rythm....they know who they are he he ....see you tonigth
I won't win any friends with this next comment. I would actually prefer fewer drummers, because right now it's just a big mess. Too often chants die early deaths because the drummers are occupied with eachother (mad drumming ensues). I love the drumming, but it does hamper the quick one-off songs that arise during a match. If there is increased communication between drummer and non-drummer alike, I say add 100 drums. So to the drummers I say: We are at your mercy! Try as often as possible to be starting a song/chant with your instruments and save the jamming for the halftime drum circle, because it doth rocketh therein. I come in peace, don't kill me. [mad drumming ensues]
MORE FANS! Bring whatever the heck gets your rocks off and bring it loud. Just stop when I start a new chant.
Hey, Rev, Chico, Begbie, Oscar, Owen, TimmieC, El Segundo, etc., you guys have got a new volunteer to help coordinate! What if the supporters' clubs were to buy some headset communication gear? A couple of people could coordinate a whole lot of people, and if the drums are clued in, we would have nirvana (or the closest we can get to it with our effort}. GM
I didn't see the adidas gear except the jersey, nor is $90 the ideal price for a custom shirt (my name or a player). I had always admired the Chi Fire store but it appears to have changed hands and worsened. My opinion is that jimausa has no one on its staff who knows anything about soccer fans. DOG TAGS