Sec 8 was in fine form tonight. And why not? The FOXCH crew showed a lot of crowd shots, much of Sec 8. Lookin' good Costello. The whole world saw you drop your sticks. 88th Minute, after the obligatory homage to Section 8, Kenny Stern: Thanks to nuts like that, we have jobs! Classic.
Actually, that was Jack Edwards who said that.. And it was pretty much the only good line he had all night.. In true typical melodramatic Jack fashion, he said the following ridiculous and laughable statement (I am paraphrasing so forgive me if I botch it): "With all due respect to the great Ted Williams, hitting a volley (correctly) is the hardest thing to do in sports"... I simply shook my head in utter amazement at that overblown statement.... Classic Jack...
I and a few other guys tried to get a "We love Jack Edwards" chant going towards the end. I cannot imagine how excited that guy would have gotten if he heard that.
we love jack edwards...we do.....we love jack edwards...we do.....we love jack edwards......we doooo, jack edwards we love you!
Re: Re: Thanks to nuts like that... Cracked up when I heard it. Please, some techno-wenie (I mean that in the nicest way) make that into a .wav file. Please.
Yeah section 8 was great but section 105 sucked! Man!! Razov and Beasley scored that first and second goals and only a few people around us got up and cheered the goals. They all just sat there as if saying ..."What happened?" Great atmosphere PW. Fantastic fans lol!! What a joke. Suburbs are the future of soccer. Section 8 rocked as usual. If it wasn't for section 8 we may as well close up shop.
No kidding, i was sitting in 105, too, and at times i thought i was the only one watching the game. and did you hear that kid talking about manchester united the whole game? i know he was only twelve, but if i'd heard him talk about how great david beckham was one more time, i'd probably've lost it.
A 12 yr old talking about top notch soccer. A 12 yr old talking about a star player half a world away. Geez, I'll say it again, it's called progress. He was watching a pro match right here in the U.S.A , talking about the beautiful game. Talking about it's stars. Enthusiastic about soccer... Get over it. It's great. It's the only way to grow the sport here...just like it happens all over the rest of the globe. duh.
This isn't a Naperville (or suburban) specific phenomenon. Many fans in the midfield sections at Soldier Field appeared similarly unenthusiastic.
Johnny I don't think that is the case. In geberal the crowds at naperville are considerablly less into the game than any I have seen in Soldiers field. Sure you had pockets of that at SF too, but no where near as much as you see in the quiet one horse town.
I should have taped the game, I wonder if you could hear few of us yelling DYPSI! Or how ever you spell that guys name.
In terms of atmosphere, Section 101 wasn't much better. That was my first game outside of section 8 since 1998, and I can't wait to get back. That being said, it also reminded me that section 8 is not for everyone. Some fans are perfectly content simply watching the game and commenting on the game back and forth to their friends, and that some fathers bring their sons/daughters to the game to teach them the game, a lot like the man who sat in front of me.
As justified as an announcer may be in saying "Thanks to nuts like section 8, we have jobs etc." then section 8 should probably be saying "Thanks to the quiet majority of fans that buy the higher priced tickets and come in large numbers to see the game," because without their monitary support it would be hard to maintain a football team just for the fanatics.
I'm sick of hearing the Naperville sucks line from section 8 snobs. It's not as big of a difference as you might remember from SF. And it's simply not a crime to sit down and watch a game without acting like a fanatic. I think it's safe to say that the vast majority of the crowd is very glad section 8 is it's wonderful exuberant self. And in return, they often get sneers, and snobbery from those who see themselves as the 'true soccer fans". Get over it. Naperville is not SF, never was touted as it, and I for once can't think of anyone even arguing they liked Naperville better. But for heavens sake, stop whining, and either enjoy the fact that you have a place to watch the fire at all, or enjoy watching the games from the comfort of your own couch, or a cozy bar. FairWeatherFan - point well made.
If you'd being paying attention, you'd have noticed that most of the "noise" re Nappyville sucking has not come from section 8. It's from folks sitting in other parts of the stadium who immediately notice the vast difference in crowd participation in those other sections as compared to that in SF.
I sat in section 101 as well. I usually sit in section eight. I don't sit in the supporters section, but near it. Every fan has their own way of watching the game. I prefer sitting down and commenting on the game, but I also like to stay close to the more hard core fans and loud fans. So, my usual seats are perfect for me. However, some have to realize the type of people coming into the games. Not everyone is a hard core soccer fan. And to be honost, the Fire and MLS in general needs as many fans as possible. They also pay the higher priced tickets, and since they bought the ticket, they need to be confortable where they are sitting. I will be the first to tell you that the section was quiet in general, but it didn't bother me one bit. There is also the other choice of not attending the game at all.
A well stated point and it seems like it was a long time coming. Section 8 fans kick major ass and are regarded around the league as "The Premiere Supporters Section", no question about it. I love them. They are a bunch of "Flag waving nuts" as Jack puts it. Section 8 is the heart of the fan base. I join them often when in the mood, but I can't stay there 100% of the time. I just can't keep up with half a family in tow. What's really cool is the fact that I sit all around the stadium and I take the section 8 enthusiasm with me. I sit around all kinds of fans and whether I'm with a bunch of crazies or with a soccer family it makes little difference what enjoyment I have. The experience is always good... we all like the Fire. Last game, I sat next to a few people that didn't know squat about soccer but so thoroughly enjoyed the enthusiasm of 8 that they wanted to come back just for that. My willingness to sing and clap spurred other fans to join in (and vica versa). It's spreading. Section 8 should understand what a tremendous job they are doing and be proud of their effort. I am. It's a wonderful thing. All that being said, I may not be able to bring my four year old boy to the next game as he simply will not stop singing "Fire, Fire, Fire Fire Fire Na Na Na Na"... at school and now real drills mean nothing.
Good point. I have spent two games out of section 8 in Naperville, once in 121 and once in the South end and both times were alright, but not nearly as loud as sitting outside of section 8 in SF. Hey i mean its all relative, section 8 at SF is better than section 8 at CS. It doesnt mean anyone sucks or are bad fans, it just is the case. Personally, I feel that yeah, Naperville may attract some quiter fans than wouldnt have come to SF but we're certainly gald to have them along. I think a lot of people are still upset with the Naperville situation and are just looking for more things to complain about.