D.C. United has the Screaming Eagles and Barra Brava

AreliusIV · 05-02-2006, 08:19 AM

http://www.washtimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20060501-125555-1692r

Jose Luis Luviano · 05-02-2006, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AreliusIV

http://www.washtimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20060501-125555-1692r

Some of those anti-baseball comments are true enough for Major League games.

But it looks like DCU fans have never seen a Caribbean Series or a Japan Series game.

Burninator · 05-02-2006, 10:43 AM

Your typical sports fan in the USA sucks compared to sports fans elsewhere in the world. Soccer (football, futbol, futebol, whatever it is) fans know what it means to be elated to the point of tears after a game winning (or in our case, tying) goal or dejected to the point of tears after a Chivas USA-RSL game. Many soccer fans have brought this same enthusiasm to other sports as they have spread throughout the world, like baseball. The World Baseball Classic is a good example.

What do USA fans know how to do? Chant USA! USA! USA! for about 20 seconds and then go back to watching the game. One of the reasons I love going to RSL games is that I never have to stop singing. I never have to sit down. I don't have to sit through a 30+ minute halftime nor stand and sing during the 7th inning.

I always lose my voice and lose myself. It's an experience, not just a game. It will be painful not attending home games until Ellinger gets his act together or gets fired...

⚽ Geoff
-----------------------
REGULATORS! Mount up!
You can like baseball, basketball, curling, whatever. None of those sports are played and patronized worldwide like soccer is, however. No sport commands more passion, more respect, and more attention than soccer.

SoccerPrime · 05-02-2006, 01:33 PM

I wonder what the fanbase would be like in Tampa Bay if they won 4 cups?

DC fans are so spoiled. I am jealous.

prk166 · 05-02-2006, 04:16 PM

I'm usually one to rip on the squawking turkeys. But to be fair, one has to wonder what DC United's fan base would be like if they didn't play at an ugly, old stadium (RFK even had some falling cement a couple years ago) that is in the middle of a very nasty past of town.

Rover · 05-02-2006, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prk166

I'm usually one to rip on the squawking turkeys. But to be fair, one has to wonder what DC United's fan base would be like if they didn't play at an ugly, old stadium (RFK even had some falling cement a couple years ago) that is in the middle of a very nasty past of town.

Interesting that they plan to build a new stadium in an even nastier part of town.

I've spent many evenings over the past ten years in the old concrete hulk on the Anacostia, and I can say that although DC fans are overrated (especially in their own minds), they have consistently drawn decent crowds. I'm talking even in the bad years under Rongen (exclude his first season) and Hudson.

The supporters groups in DC are nothing special, but they are well organized and managed to get themselves situated in the center of the field so when you watch the game on TV you can't help but see them. Also, the stands there are the rollout kind, so when they bounce the whole stand jumps.

What you don't see is the vast emptiness around them, and what you don't know is that the club pushes people into those stands on a regular basis to make the crowds look bigger. They did it to my family for one game, and we made sure to get tickets elsewhere.

If I had to choose a good supporters section, other than ours of course, I'd have to go with Chicago. Great groups there.