Thoughts from the Northside Fellow Lords of the North (and anyone else reading), I wanted to share my views on last night's match, the season in general, and my personal experience this season. Here goes: DCU 3-4 Burn Hell of a match. Granted, I've never felt so dejected in my life at a soccer result, but we went down kicking and screaming. We overcame a pisspoor referee, a less-than-immaculate Burn midfield, and a dodgy penalty to at least earn some respect throughout the league (except from those punkass MetroScum, but I normally don't give much shrift to the opinions of pigs). Next year, we're gonna kick some serious ass. I could literally feel the biulding shake during second-half stoppage time...it's beautiful having that much energy and collective will flowing through one building from so many people. Screw the Redskins; DC United is Washington's REAL football team...hell, our real sports team, period. MY BEST DCU PLAYERS 2002 Ali Curtis How many times has he saved our asses? He has serious hunger to win, he scores right when we need him...and he regularly shows love to La Norte (always a plus)! I even thought of a song for him: Ali, He's the greatest, He's a baaaaaad man... Ali, He's the greatest, He's a baaaaaad man... When number 28 steps on the grass, He scores the goals that save United's ass, Ali, He's the greatest, He's a baaaaaad man... AND HE'S PRETTY!!! Nick Rimando He has been spectacular for us in goal. Hopefully he'll be #1 for years to come. And he put Landon Donovan on his monkey ass... Ryan Nelsen Prior to his injury, the best surprise of the season. Ryan, if you're reading this, we love you. Stay with us; screw Europe! Milton Reyes Money well spent. An absolute rock at the back this year. Diablo He still has some magic left in him. Bobby Convey/Chino Alegria/Eliseo Quintanilla/Santino Quaranta The future of DCU's attacking line. Bobby should make the USMNT in a few years. Unlike that mohawked twat Mathis, he can move with the ball, and probably won't be scared of German defenders. Eddie Pope Next season, he'll be able to devote his full energies to United, which should scare the crap out of forwards around the league. Henry Zambrano A little early to judge, but he got a goal last night, so he's off to a good start thus far. Paul Gascoigne Okay. it's wishful thinking (or outright insanity), but the fact he wanted to play for DCU speaks volumes for this club. If only others had that attitude. Ben Olsen Glad to see him back. Even coming back from a long-term injury, he's still not afraid to dig in to some defenders and get him some, unlike... Jaime Moreno After last night, I'm convinced...he no longer has a place with the Black-and-Red. The way he got dispossessed in the area was just shameful. And by the way, Jaime, you're afraid to kick a ball hard? What the hell do you think you do for a living? No one else here is resting on their laurels (except for us fans); that doesn't give you the right. Either shape up and start putting forth a little effort, or just leave and stop wasting everyone's time. Ray Hudson Something of a jittery season, but he's still cleaning up the considerable mess left by Thomas Rongen. The way he got us back to winning form from the crap we were, to me means there's hope for next season. Let's consider this his trial by fire, and look forward to domination in 2003. Speaking of hope for next season, I can sense winning ways returning to DCU. I have this to say to any players and coaches that may happen across this thread: Look in the stands. Look at the Barras and the Eagles making the place shake. Look at La Norte jumping and singing and screaming. Look at the kids sitting around in their youth-league kits. Listen to the songs and drums, listen to the screams of triumph and desolation. You are our heroes. You represent our city. The new guys inherit a winning tradition that many of your teammates established. You also have the most fiercely loyal fans in the Western Hemisphere behind you. The black shirt you wear is the colour of pride, feared throughout the land. The eagle crest is a badge of honour. The three gold stars are your legacy, and I'm sure you want to add more. If you're not willing to play your balls off for that shirt and for us fans, just leave. You won't be breaking our hearts. As long as you wear the black, remember who you are: a member of DC United, the greatest club in American soccer history. And NO ONE can take that away from you...no one but yourselves. My time with La Norte Although being a loyal Black-and-Red-Head since day 1, this was the first season where I had the chance to attend games. After seat-hopping my way through random sections, I met Luis Chavez, the spiritual leader of La Norte. After my first game sitting in section 120, I was hooked. I've found a home in the Northside, with the greatest bunch of DCU ultras around (besides the Eagles and the Barras, of course!). That being said (although I may be out of place being a noob and all), here are my thoughts on the state of LN: 1-Patrick got hosed last night with the smokebombs. Come on, it was the last game of the season, we were desperately close to the playoffs. Did people expect us not to go nuts? It's not like we blew up a chunk of RFK (and whoever ratted him out, for shame!) or anything. Speaking of chunks out of RFK... 2-Trashing seats isn't necessary. It makes 120 look like crap when we tear it up, and it doesn't help our image, either. We're trying to bring more people to the Northside, not scare them off into the hinterlands. And besides, it's asking for trouble with our idiot security detail. We can't so much as sneeze without them going apeshit. 3-We need more songs. I noticed most of our chants are in English, and the actual songs are in Spanish. I'm taking time to learn as much Spanish as I can in the offseason, but I thought we could use a few more English-language songs to help lure in some more people. Another idea for the Spanish songs: maybe we could pass out songsheets to people who buy tickets. Well, that's all I can think of for now. Nortenos, we should do some stuff during the offseason. Maybe we could have a match or something...who knows? See y'all next year (hopefully sooner), Darth Norteno (aka Josh) LA NORTE O MUERTE!
I'm so glad I started sitting (well, standing...) with La Norte this season. Y'all rock a great rocking, and I'm looking forward to getting season tickets there next season. I'm working on the Spanish. Thanks to you guys I can already swear fluently!!!! Caroline
Ever since the first time I sat in La Norte I was hooked. I hope we can keep the spirit rolling for next year. I will definitely be there, hopefully as a season ticket holder.
[big abrazo] That's beautiful, man, that's exactly how I feel as well. [/big abrazo] Ray has said he has not yet been satisfied, and he thinks if we are satisfied with level of play exhibited, then we have low standards. I think Ray understands that we are cheering for the shirt and when we see 100% effort, we go bananas. Yeah, we stand in the aisles and there's smoke in the air, so according to some, we are breaking the rules. We are showing our love, unlike a lot of other, more (shall we say) subdued fans. You've said it so well, I hope your words live on as an inspiration when one is needed. GM
Thanks everyone for a memorable season. Like the team, La Norte had some tough times, but it looks like we will be stronger than ever next season. Major ups to Luis Chavez, Darth Norteno and everyone else for keeping La Norte alive. Stay tuned for La Norte merchandise info and season ticket info for next year. Sachin
My first year here I saw a handfull of games (on the quiet side), last year my family go a flex plan (again on the quiet side). This year we got season tix (in 117) and my daughter and I finally convinced my wife to give La Norte a shot. We slipped over during the Boca game and the rest is history. I do know we will have season tix and in 120. It rocks down there and has made the season so much more enjoyable. It was great to meet and get to know you guys....maddog, thamlin, darth_norteno, sachin, and luis. I know I am leaving out a few, but my memory sucks (ask my wife). Here's to my new home La Norte
Very well said Darth. I can't wait to see La Norte rock the north end next season, and many more in the future!
Alright Now thats what i like to hear. WE (LA NORTE) espcially the second half of the year have endured alot. Alot of veterans gave up on LA NORTE and the few of us that cared were really getting frustrated, but then the newbies showed up. They change everything for us and LA NORTE. Next year this is my plan. All The newbies plus the veterans, plus everyone new we get this offseason.We will rock SO I encourage everyone to get season tickets, i might seem like a lot to pay up front but it is worth it. Trust ME. What we need to do is get more organized for next year hopefully we can find a way to get this plan going and make LA NORTE grow. P.S there is reason to believe that USA- will play the sallies on November 17th start getting ready if thats true because we need to be there loud and proud, we need to wear all red and start singing early, we will discuss that later.
Yes. There is only one requirement to join La Norte -- Show 90 minutes of passion (plus extra time) every time DC United or the USA is on the field. Sign up for our mailing list at lanorte-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and watch BigSoccer for our announcements. Sachin
That's real cool. I'm only 16, but next year I'll be able to drive up to some games every chance I get, unless parents get on my case, but I would promise to show passion the whole time. I'll be 17 next July and I'll use that to my advantage to convince my parents to let me borrow their car to come up, especially during the summer because I doubt they'll let me drive up on school weekends. If I can come up (which I'll do anything to do) I'll probably bring a friend or two and we'd love to join you guys. It's a three hour trip, but it took my family and I about four and a half hours for the all star game because of the horrible traffic. Since there obviously aren't any games soon, I'm not worried about making arrangements, but I'll be sure to stay up to date and I'll try very hard to come join you guys next summer. I'm just curious what range of ages are in this group?
Good luck.... hope you can make it. We've got people from about 16-17 to over 35. It's a nice mix of people. Sachin
He should've done it where it counted, during the WORLD CUP...hell, I could score on Germany in a friendly. He got dispossessed like a 10-year-old girl in that game. Sachin, nice avatar, by the way...you are a prophet among men.
Nice avatar, Sachin. I vote for you for prophet too. I think that's two votes now. Thanks to everybody in La Norte. It's a great atmosphere. I hope to spend more time there next season.