Ive heard a lot about the supporters groups on these boards, The Barra Brava, Screaming Eagles, and the choir. What is the difference between all the groups? and how do you join?
Each group has it's own characteristics, so I'll only speak for La Norte. La Norte is located behind the goal, the traditional location for supporter groups all over the world. We're a mix of both Latin and European styles with songs in English and Spanish. We also have the largest BOMBO in North America, as far as we know. We're the newest supporter club, founded 2 seasons ago, so we're still finding our way. If you've been to games, you've seen the balloons, the confetti and the streamers decorating the goal. To join La Norte, all you have to do is buy a ticket in Section 120 and stand and sing with us for 90 minutes. If you want more information, visit us at www.lanorte.com or contact me I invite you and all DC United fans to join us and check out the Nortelocura firsthand. As our new members will attest, there is nothing else like it. If you already have tickets for another part of RFK, no problem. You can trade in your ticket for one in La Norte. Sachin
The SEs were born on the internet in 1995 as the league was starting and I guess were more European in their style in the beginning but now after standing next to the Barra we do both Euro and Latin American style chants. Our activites include having our own section at RFK (the Nest, sections 133-134 and part of 132, tickets@screaming-eagles.com), tailgating, viewing parties, roadtrips, our own meet the team day, the Annual Capitol Soccer Ball (has been a fundraiser for the Eddie Pope Foundation, last year we raised $10,000) and participating in other charity events to promote the team, our club and soccer in general (like Race for the Cure and AIDSWalk DC). Our annual membership fee is $15 for individuals (we have family plans as well). This gets you access to the tailgate ($6 to eat/drink) and discounts on trips and merchandise. Our new and improved website should be up and running by the end of the month or I can send you an application (or you can sign up at the first home game, look for our information table). If you have more questions, shoot me an email at kim@screaming-eagles.com K
Click here---------> www.barra-brava.com and all you questions will be answered. The main thing is to join, not who you join. Each group is awesome in their own ways.
This statement has more truth than all the other posts on BigSoccer combined. One of the real strengths of our supporter clubs is that we all get along and cooperate on the major issues. Sachin
Thanks for all the information, my other question was if the main thing is to join, not who to join, what made you guys decide on where you were going to join?
My story is the following: I joined the Nest in 1996. I was there through 1998 when I moved to Scumland. In July 2001, United came to the Swamp and I was in the United section. A little after the game started, I heard this loud drum and saw a bunch people march in and start singing their hearts out and really pump up our section. I asked who those folks were and K, I believe, said it was La Norte. Right then, I knew I had found my people. When I moved back to DC last year, I got my season tickets in La Norte. And I'll never leave. Sachin
I think it is all about learning what the people are like in each group and getting to know each group before deciding. Each group has a pretty sweet setup for purchasing walk-up tickets (I know that each has a booth of some sort near Gate B). Hence, you could come to the first few matches and try out each of the sections. If I were to do it all over again without any first-hand knowledge of the groups, that'd be the way I'd go. As it stands, I joined up with the SE's back in the heydey of good ole 1996. I was living out of the area and they were the only club with a presence on the web. Hence, that was my motivation. If I had it to do over again today, I'd probably join the SE's again, but some of the members are kinda weird...beware of this dude revelation, he's mean!! Tim
Sachin drugged me. He did many other things to me, but I can't speak of those. I joined the SEs for the tailgate and stuff two years ago when I started going to games, but sat in my season ticket seats on the "quiet side" to be with family who had seats. Last year when we played in the Champion's Cup and my brother and his family didn't go to the game, I spent the night in La Norte. It was awesome. Given the small group and the ability to trade tickets/sneak over and hang out for a while, I was over there off and on for the season. Maybe one day I'll go hang with the other groups, but I enjoyed the smaller, newer feel of La Norte, even if I didn't understand any Spanish. It is astounding how the groups get along and the march in with all the groups is phenomenal. Go to a match (if you haven't already) and watch the groups in action. Go watch the SE/BB drum circle. Talk to people from each group before a game.
TEConnor, just wait until April 19th! I'll show you mean! [size=-2]You stomp on one person's head and they never let you forget it...[/size] Chico, do we have to wait until you are "gone" to plant you in 135?
My story: I started supporting United (heck, supporting the game period) a bit later than most folks on the board - fall of 2001. When I decided to start watching the game on a regular basis, I needed a pub to go to. So, I found the Lucky Bar and started going on weekends for EPL and La Liga, where I met Revelation and Mrs. Revelation. We became friends and when last season came around and I mentioned that I wanted to start coming to matches, they put me in touch with the SE Ticket Mistress and that was that. When I started going to games, I would usually spend all my tailgate time at the SE tailgates. However as time went on and I met more folks, I would spend more hanging out with some of them at the Barra Brava tailgate. Eventually, it just made sense that if I was going to be at their tailagates every game and I had so much fun sitting in the Barra and singing with them, that I should join them as well. So, that's my story. As others have said, it doesn't matter who you join, just join someone and come out to the matches!
several people--grillmaster, mcowen are two that come to mind belong to more than one group, it is cheap to join and you have rewards belonging no matter where you end up standing at the game. i like belonging to the barra because with dudes like begbie and chico13 the rest of us seem pretty tame.
This is a little OT but pre-crash there was a stickied thread that contained links to all the often asked questions like what is the difference between the supporters groups, directions to rfk, ticket questions etc. It seems like renewing that feature might clear some of the clutter out. Anyways, I have spent time with all three gorups and belong to the SE and BB and they are all great people. Come experience and meet the hardcore BB, SE, and LN members at the Kegs and Eggs Open practice.
LA NORTE I started going to Dc games on a constant basis in 2000 and had just completed my first season as a ticket holder when i heard of some buzz about a group that was being formed called LA NORTE. I was hesitant to joiin any group because i didnt want to join a group where i didnt know anyone. So On opening night 2001 against KC I experienced LA NORTE's first hand from my seat section 108. I didnt join them until i submitted an email to one of there members and my first game was at the maryland soccerplex against the NJ stallions. From then on i never went back, and have been everywhere LA NORTE has been since then (Miami,New YORK,Maryland, etc) The feeling of that drum just blasting with the rendition of OOOOHH VAMOS UNITED VAMOS OOHHHH OOOOOOHHH VAMOS UNITED VAMOS Pongan Huevos Que Ganamos. I wake up to that song on a daily basis and wonder how long it will be till the next game. Just over a month left until LA NORTE III will hit RFK.
Sachin, is there any way that I could buy season tickets with La Norte after the season starts? I've got some things that I need to clear up before I can make a commitment for an entire season.
I'll have to check with United on the particulars, but I'm sure we can work out some sort of arrangement. PM me with your name and E-mail address. Thanks, Sachin
the choir sorta died a few seasons back, but they still have a fairly large contingent. socios de Dc Utd.-- shhhhh.. they are a secret group right...
Actually I heard that the Choir is moving down to the 100 section on the right side of the Screaming Eagles.