El Salvadorean citizens and non citizens in the DC area will most likely support Aguila during the DC United match. If a team came to play DC United from the country your parents or yourself came from, who would you support? Being Armenian, if one of the league teams from Armenia came to play here I would definately support DC. I dont follow the league that closely and this would be the only time Im gonna see that team play. If Armenia played US, I would probably go neutral and hope the best team won. I think it also depends on how close you are with your heritage. P.S I hope DC signs Eskandarian or whatever his name is. haha
I emigrated from the New York City metropolitan area to Washington 14 years ago. Though I am very close to my family that has chosen to remain in my old hometown, and I still consider myself a New Yorker, I hope to Christ we kick the living snot out of the Metros every damn time we play them. Dave
I would still support D.C. United even if they played Karpaty Lviv, the family club (my cousin grew up twenty minutes from Ukrayina Stadium in Lviv). But I never even knew about Karpaty until I was in my 30's anyway, so there's not much of a connection personally. Back in 1992 or so a friend and I went up to Rutgers Stadium to see Ukraine play the USA in an international, and I was reasonably neutral -- but that was before Sam's Army, et. al. Frankly, Armenian club sides would be no match for United. There just isn't a whole lot of money in Armenia for soccer. There was really only one great player, Artur Petrosyan, who used to play for Shirak Gyumri, which placed first several times in the Armenian first division in the late 90s. He was head-and-shoulders above everybody else, and if the national team scored, it was usually Petrosyan. A few years ago, he and another Armenian guy signed for Swiss second division side Young Boys, which just got promoted this season. Other then them, there's a few Armenians in the Russian league, but that's about it. I'd love for United to sign him. For many of us who live here but who are from other parts of the country, an equally-valid question would be: if your home town got an MLS expansion franchise, would/could you switch loyalties? For me, no. While I am a fanatic to-the-death Tiger and Red Wing fan, while I love the Pistons (I despise the Lions, but that's another story) I could never support a new Detroit Express or whatever against United, even if they got Trevor Francis to play for them. I'd like them, but not against United.
My father is from Scotland and while I view them as my second favorite national team, I would never root for them above my country or root for a club side from Great Britian over my club team. While I fully understand those that grew up in a different country supporting their country of origin, I think that many of us have not been indoctrinated with the same heritage based cheering. Of course, I moved to the States when I was under a year old, and never knew anything else, so it is easy for me to make those statements. In some ways, I am jealous of the passion that those of (insert CONCACAF rival here) descent support their team and wish more Americans felt that way about our national team(s).
My great-great-grandfather went to college in Kent, England, which is the original home of Arsenal FC. As much as I would love to see the Gunners here, I would hate for them to play us. I would support DCU without question, as they are my first love of football, but I would hate to see Arsenal get whomped...
The only time I'd be torn is if DC United played either Arsenal or FC St. Pauli. I don't support clubs based on nationality (I hope that Keller decides November 14th is a great day to put 6 goals in his own net! And I wish Reyna all the worst on Sunday!). However, if DC United were to play either of the two teams above - I'd support DC over Arsenal but St. Pauli over DC.
I will never stop being a United fan. When Philly gets a team it will mean that it is a shorter drive to watch United beat the Atoms. This line of thinking helps me understand the passion people have for their home sides - like Aguila. I suppose I moved overseas and United came, even though I would be a fn of the local club, I would cheer mightily for United.
Wow! An Atoms reference. When MLS started, I was still living in Suburban Philadelphia, smack dab in the middle of two MLS clubs, and two cities where I do not like the sports teams (Anything NY, and I couldn't stand the Caps)....well, I moved down to MD the next year and took in a match, and bingo! DC United fan. If Philadelphia got Fury II or whatever, they would be a rival. My sports attatchments are deep, I still root for the Flyers and Phillies. What would happen if Arsenal came to town? I don't know. Arsenal was a team I watched a lot during the dark ages (no US Soccer league) and I grew into a fan.
You mean at some point someone had confidence in me? Wow, learn something new everyday... And as for support, I feel a moral obligation to support the "little left wing" man (aka FC St. Pauli) against the powers of all that is unholy and Bayern Munich! That and I stood on their terraces first...
Really? Glad to see there's another one of us out there... There isn't a whole lot of money in Armenia, period. Back on topic, I count DC United as my number one allegiance for soccer. I have a couple other "favorites", but I would support none over DCU.
Unlike many of you, I grew up in an area where soccer wasn't an option in youth sports. Twenty years later, in terms of participation, it's the most popular sport by far. But I had never followed it until I got involved with coaching my daughter's team. At the same time, MLS started up, I saw DC's first game on the tube v. SJ. I came to the opener at RFK v. LA. I was hooked. I began watching the US Nats' march through qualifying for the 1998 WC, and the heartbreaking performance in France. My experience with the youth squads was wonderful. I started playing in an adult league. The Nats were, to me, the classic US underdog: under powered, unsupported, but, nonetheless, fighting to the end. And, of course, United turned a bad start into a early dynasty; they are the team that solidified my passion for the game. When the Nats or United are on the field, I AM THE 12TH MAN!
I have only been here since 96 and have followed DC from the start. When DC played Leeds I supported DC, but had Blackburn come things would have been different. The same goes with the USMT, we have been to Boston and Columbus to watch and cheer for them in WC qualifiers, but if England came then I'd be cheering for the other team.
I think a better way would be to imagine yourself living abroad now, maybe even emigrating, and DCU came to town, would you support them or your new "home" side? I know I would support DCU against anyone, even FC Cologne, a team I've been 'supporting' since before there was a DCU.
Seconded. All DC moderators should be made to sign a loyalty oath and renounce allegence to any other club. If DC were to play an Indian club, DC. If the USA were to play India, I'd root for the USA but would want India to play well. Sachin