DC has the best fans?

SoccerPrime · 11-01-2005, 11:39 AM

I am currently in a minor debate on NAS soccer email list discussing how RSL does actually have a crowd.

The debate is rather weak because it started off with ppl feeling pity for the DC supporters, who to their credit, did cheer for their team during their recent "body-blow" on Sunday.

My POV is that RSL is a great MLS town too, like DC, but RSL should get props because RSL fans support and cheer even though the home team only won 5 times. DC fans are used to winning, so I have less sympathy for them.

The response to my comments: RSL can get numbers but maybe someday they will have a rowdy crowd like DC.

What?

Jim Umber · 11-01-2005, 12:02 PM

:jawdrop: Oh, well...consider the source.

Rover · 11-01-2005, 12:08 PM

You're right to question them, Prime.

My family and I lived in the DC area twice for a total of five years since United's been around, and we've been season ticket holders both times. I've seen plenty of games in RFK, including their first ever and the ASG a few years ago.

DC does have very good fan groups, but overall their crowd is not as rowdy and you might think. They place the Screaming Eagles/Barra Brava groups at the center line so they show up on TV. They also sit on the movable stands than swing around the field for the baseball configuration, so when they jump up and down the whole thing bounces. It's a a good visual, no doubt. They have some other groups like El Norte who are much smaller and don't get the same TV time. El Norte were the first I remember who used massed flags.

Here's the thing. The rest of the stadium is as muted as Galaxy fans between goals. And the SE/BB groups don't cheer/chant/sing the whole game. They're better than most, but if the impression is out there that they're going from before kickoff until postgame, then the impression is wrong.

I was also there during the Rongen/Hudson losing years, and there was a distinct lack of enthusiasm in RFK. In fact, when the Galaxy would come to town I'd say that 40% of the fans were cheering for LA due to Mauricio Cienfuegos (there's a large Central American community in the DC area). I always got a laugh out the looks on the United fans' faces when whole sections of the stadium would erupt when the Galaxy scored.

This isn't about bashing DC fans. I'd put them solidly in the top three in the league. They are creative, and they have consistently strong attendance despite playing in a dump. Soccer at all levels is very strong in the area, and it shows in the strength of their fanbase.

But I'd rate Chicago's fans higher than DC, at least for their supporters groups. Tough to document, but they seem to travel better and they were the first that I can recall in MLS to stand and chant for the entire game. Their attendance is not as strong as DC's, but they put on a better show.

I'd rank us first, but to be fair we've only had one year. We do need to bring it consistently. But with a 5 win team and a brand new organization, we set a new standard for soccer support. We don't take the backseat to anyone in this league when it comes to support of our team.

Section 37 · 11-01-2005, 12:09 PM

those guys don't know what they're talking about because they haven't yet been to an RSL game.

Ten bucks says Salt Lake is the first city to at least be threatened with a fence.

Section 37 · 11-01-2005, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rover

We don't take the backseat to anyone in this league when it comes to support of our team.

Beautiful

Deuce · 11-01-2005, 12:12 PM

That is almost as bad as saying that Galaxy have the best fans cos they were able to draw a crowd for Real Madrid, but nobody showed up for the required game that you had to buy to see the RM match. Yet the attendance was touted as sold out.... but watching the match on TV there was no one in the stands.

So DC has a couple of groups that make some noise... It was really just leftover fans from the Nationals game earlier in the day...

SoccerPrime · 11-01-2005, 01:15 PM

Thanks guys, I knew you would agree with me. 🙂

the Bardguy · 11-01-2005, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rover

You're right to question them, Prime.

My family and I lived in the DC area twice for a total of five years since United's been around, and we've been season ticket holders both times. I've seen plenty of games in RFK, including their first ever and the ASG a few years ago.

DC does have very good fan groups, but overall their crowd is not as rowdy and you might think. They place the Screaming Eagles/Barra Brava groups at the center line so they show up on TV. They also sit on the movable stands than swing around the field for the baseball configuration, so when they jump up and down the whole thing bounces. It's a a good visual, no doubt. They have some other groups like El Norte who are much smaller and don't get the same TV time. El Norte were the first I remember who used massed flags.

Here's the thing. The rest of the stadium is as muted as Galaxy fans between goals. And the SE/BB groups don't cheer/chant/sing the whole game. They're better than most, but if the impression is out there that they're going from before kickoff until postgame, then the impression is wrong.

I was also there during the Rongen/Hudson losing years, and there was a distinct lack of enthusiasm in RFK. In fact, when the Galaxy would come to town I'd say that 40% of the fans were cheering for LA due to Mauricio Cienfuegos (there's a large Central American community in the DC area). I always got a laugh out the looks on the United fans' faces when whole sections of the stadium would erupt when the Galaxy scored.

This isn't about bashing DC fans. I'd put them solidly in the top three in the league. They are creative, and they have consistently strong attendance despite playing in a dump. Soccer at all levels is very strong in the area, and it shows in the strength of their fanbase.

But I'd rate Chicago's fans higher than DC, at least for their supporters groups. Tough to document, but they seem to travel better and they were the first that I can recall in MLS to stand and chant for the entire game. Their attendance is not as strong as DC's, but they put on a better show.

I'd rank us first, but to be fair we've only had one year. We do need to bring it consistently. But with a 5 win team and a brand new organization, we set a new standard for soccer support. We don't take the backseat to anyone in this league when it comes to support of our team.

🕺 🕺 🕺

the Bardguy · 11-01-2005, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Section 37

those guys don't know what they're talking about because they haven't yet been to an RSL game.

Ten bucks says Salt Lake is the first city to at least be threatened with a fence.

🕺 🕺

StarsOnSunday · 11-01-2005, 02:02 PM

Having first fallen in love with the Argentine game, I love the fence. I love seeing the people rush the fence when a goal is scored and seeing the kids climb it to get a better view / avoid being crushed. The threat of a fence would be a badge of honor. Now actually having a fence... I don't think I would like it.