USA vs. Mexico at Crew Stadium

[ammtd34]

Is anyone going? The day before the lottery, my friend and I bought the 4 cheapest tickets on Stubhub ($160 at the time). We figured that the chances of hitting the lottery were low so we wanted to hedge our bet. That worked out beautifully, because nether of us hit the lottery and the cheapest tickets on Stubhub today are $322.

If anyone is going, did you get tickets through the lottery/Outlaws/Crew season tickets? I haven't talked to one person whose lottery entry was selected.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Jealous, but in Phoenix we get good games now and then. I would love to have an MLS team.

[ammtd34]

I am at least as excited as I was on the way to the Georgia Dome in 2004. I've certainly never been to a sporting event with demand this high.

[Snipe]

They should honestly play the game at Paul Brown. The Columbus Crew Stadium capacity is 20,000. That is a joke for a major game like this, and that is why tickets are $322. When I first heard of the game I was determined to attend and take my sons. Then I looked into it and found out about the pathetic capacity issues and knew right off I would not be attending this high priced event.

At Paul Brown Stadium you could get 65,000 fans, and the cheapest ticket would not be $322. I think they would have sold it out, considering it is USA Mexico.

To the credit of Columbus though, the USA wins when they play there, and it is always a packed house. I like winning and a packed and rowdy crowd too. Those that go will have a great time. I just wish it was at Paul Brown and I could be chanting "USA! USA!" with 65,000 other people. That would be awesome.

[X-band '01]

If size were the thing, they'd just play at Ohio Stadium. But if this is how you milk home-field advantage, so be it. Burn the scoreboard again if you have to!

[GoMuskies]

Mexico would probably have home field advantage if they played at PBS or the Shoe.

[GetUp5]

They should honestly play the game at Paul Brown. The Columbus Crew Stadium capacity is 20,000. That is a joke for a major game like this, and that is why tickets are $322. When I first heard of the game I was determined to attend and take my sons. Then I looked into it and found out about the pathetic capacity issues and knew right off I would not be attending this high priced event.

At Paul Brown Stadium you could get 65,000 fans, and the cheapest ticket would not be $322. I think they would have sold it out, considering it is USA Mexico.

To the credit of Columbus though, the USA wins when they play there, and it is always a packed house. I like winning and a packed and rowdy crowd too. Those that go will have a great time. I just wish it was at Paul Brown and I could be chanting "USA! USA!" with 65,000 other people. That would be awesome.

They would never play a game like this on anything but a grass surface.

[DC Muskie]

They should honestly play the game at Paul Brown. The Columbus Crew Stadium capacity is 20,000. That is a joke for a major game like this, and that is why tickets are $322. When I first heard of the game I was determined to attend and take my sons. Then I looked into it and found out about the pathetic capacity issues and knew right off I would not be attending this high priced event.

At Paul Brown Stadium you could get 65,000 fans, and the cheapest ticket would not be $322. I think they would have sold it out, considering it is USA Mexico.

To the credit of Columbus though, the USA wins when they play there, and it is always a packed house. I like winning and a packed and rowdy crowd too. Those that go will have a great time. I just wish it was at Paul Brown and I could be chanting "USA! USA!" with 65,000 other people. That would be awesome.

They have a place for over 60,000 Mexicans fans to cheer for their team. It's called Solider field, and we will never play a qualifying match there.

Columbus is perfect because it controls the crowd in our favor. I've been to the last two matches there against Mexico. It was glorious.

[nuts4xu]

This will be a tough game for the US. Mexicans have a great work ethic!

[Titanxman04]

Will be having a viewing party for the game at our place since no one in our family got tickets. A ticket rep from Crew stadium tried to sell me a ticket package to some Crew games and mentioned that over 50,000 ticket requests were processed for the USA/Mexico lottery. Oh well, less money spent and I can drink as much as I want now!

USA!

[Snipe]

Capacity issues aside, it is one of the few incidences where Americans are allowed to say "I hate Mexico!"

And as far as I can see Mexico really sucks bad.

[Titanxman04]

Capacity issues aside, it is one of the few incidences where Americans are allowed to say "I hate Mexico!"

And as far as I can see Mexico really sucks bad.

I expect Mexico to give it their all. Lst I checked, they are in no way guaranteed a spot in the World Cup. I expect this one to be a bitter dog fight.

[bleedXblue]

Should be a great game. Soccer in general is growing in America mainly b/c of the Latin American influence. Look at MLS and look at the demographics of who's attending mainly in the southwest and west coast. Houston, LA, Seatttle, Portland all draw very well.

As far as where to hold the game, I'm split on what the US should do. First and foremost you want it in a place where the likelihood of winning is greatest. I've talked to quite a few people who went into the ticket lottery and no one got tickets. That's a shame. Open it up to the masses and lets draw 65,000 fans for a game.....that would be awesome.

[LA Muskie]

Should be a great game. Soccer in general is growing in America mainly b/c of the Latin American influence. Look at MLS and look at the demographics of who's attending mainly in the southwest and west coast. Houston, LA, Seatttle, Portland all draw very well.

As far as where to hold the game, I'm split on what the US should do. First and foremost you want it in a place where the likelihood of winning is greatest. I've talked to quite a few people who went into the ticket lottery and no one got tickets. That's a shame. Open it up to the masses and lets draw 65,000 fans for a game.....that would be awesome.

For meaningful games (ie World Cup Qualifiers) I'd much rather have 20k raging US fans than a mixed crowd of 65k.

[MADXSTER]

Should be a great game. Soccer in general is growing in America mainly b/c of the Latin American influence. Look at MLS and look at the demographics of who's attending mainly in the southwest and west coast. Houston, LA, Seatttle, Portland all draw very well.


Though I'm sure this is true at the national level, but in the Cincinnati area I've yet to really see any influence. With four kids all playing soccer year round(for the most part) I rarely see hispanic kids playing. Indoor or outdoor. This is from high school down to beginner levels.

[GuyFawkes38]

Though I'm sure this is true at the national level, but in the Cincinnati area I've yet to really see any influence. With four kids all playing soccer year round(for the most part) I rarely see hispanic kids playing. Indoor or outdoor. This is from high school down to beginner levels.

There are not many hispanics in Ohio.

http://www.statjump.com/lists/mexican-population-dp1c104tc.html

[bleedXblue]

Yes the popularity of the MLS is mainly on the west coast.

What's interesting is the tv ratings that MLS and the Premier League are getting in the States. I don't know if its the fact that more people are watching in general or if its also being influenced by the minorities in the SW and west coast.

[Caveat]

Yes the popularity of the MLS is mainly on the west coast.

What's interesting is the tv ratings that MLS and the Premier League are getting in the States. I don't know if its the fact that more people are watching in general or if its also being influenced by the minorities in the SW and west coast.

Cincinnati was a top-10 market for ratings on the first week of NBC coverage for the EPL.

It's too bad we have no shot at an MLS squad, because I feel like Cincinnati could be a real soccer hotbed if given the chance to grow.

[bleedXblue]

Cincinnati was a top-10 market for ratings on the first week of NBC coverage for the EPL.

It's too bad we have no shot at an MLS squad, because I feel like Cincinnati could be a real soccer hotbed if given the chance to grow.

Columbus is doing so/so with attendance.

Cincinnati is such a fickle town.....I dont see them here for a long time

[xubrew]

I really don't know how I feel about the big stadium either.

If you're in the American Outlaws, which is the supporters group, you can generally get tickets without any problem and you don't have to mortgage your house to do it. Since I'm in the Outlaws, I like that setup. I also like that it creates a situation where you're in there with the other diehards. Everyone there is a huge soccer fan because they are the ones that are privy to the presales and discounts. Everyone else is paying through the nose.

Having said that, it makes it harder to grow the popularity of the sport. I've always said that if you're not a soccer fan, but decide to go to a qualifier or Outlaws viewing party, you'll at least be a fan of the national team by the time the game is over. The smaller stadiums limit who can experience that.

Then again, it would not be the same experience in a big stadium where the majority of the people are either not diehards and won't want to drink, and cheer, and yell, and chant (probably because they don't know the chants) and participate, or are cheering for the other team.

I don't know where soccer is in the American sports pecking order. It's not like the NFL where the whole season is a showcase, but it definitely has it's showcase moments where everyone is engaged and interested. The World Cup, and the qualifiers against Mexico in particular. I used to compare it to Olympic swimming or track. It's not popular, but it has it's showcase moment during the Olympics when everyone is a fan. It may have even surpassed that by now, but I still don't think it's ready for a big stadium. They could certainly sell out a big stadium, but they can't fill it with diehards. There would only be a smattering of diehards amongst the casual fans and the opposing fans. The atmosphere would certainly suffer. In a small stadium, it's rammed full of diehards, and the atmosphere is the best atmosphere you'll ever experience at any sporting event. I'm not kidding. It's better than Cameron Indoor. It's better than any college football or basketball game you'll ever go to. There really is nothing like it.

[X-band '01]

Columbus is doing so/so with attendance.

Cincinnati is such a fickle town.....I dont see them here for a long time

The Crew have enough of a diehard fanbase that leaving would not be an option. They're also one of the original MLS franchises that hasn't had any name change if I remember correctly.

Ghost of the Kansas City Wiz

[Caveat]

Columbus is doing so/so with attendance.

Cincinnati is such a fickle town.....I dont see them here for a long time

I don't see it ever coming -- especially since it would require a soccer-specific facility and I can't imagine the city/county ever building another sports facility again.

Cincinnati is a fickle town, but it's also a town with a lot of civic pride. I think the city would dig a "Cincinnati" (or "Zinzinnati," if you want to go all German) FC -- where the name of the city was the symbol of the club.

[MADXSTER]

When Paul Brown stadium was built, it wasn't suppose to be just for the "Bengals" so the field was built a bit bigger so that a soccer game could be held there as well. If you remember, they were trying to get the olympics to come to town.

Even if they don't bring a franchise, I think it would be awesome to maybe bring a game or two from Columbus to Cincinnati. IMO it would probably help build their fan base.

[GoMuskies]

If you remember, they were trying to get the olympics to come to town.


I had forgotten about that insanely idiotic notion.

[Emp]

When Paul Brown stadium was built, it wasn't suppose to be just for the "Bengals" so the field was built a bit bigger so that a soccer game could be held there as well. If you remember, they were trying to get the olympics to come to town.

Even if they don't bring a franchise, I think it would be awesome to maybe bring a game or two from Columbus to Cincinnati. IMO it would probably help build their fan base.

Ghost of Nick Vehr. It was an idiotic move from the get go..........Cinci has no mass transit (I know, you've been on a tour of the Central Parkway tunnels.) The only city ever to host summer Olys without mass transit has been LA. Cinci didnt have close to enough hotel rooms. Non starter, total waste of marketing money.

There are plenty of Latino fans in Columbus for the Crew, including the Nordeck maniacs. It is a dedicated soccer stadium, plenty of parking and xway access, and it is a great surface for The Beautiful Game.

The season ticket holders were offered 4 tix each, so it's not hard to figure out why it is a sellout, and why demand vastly exceeded supply for the few remaining tix.

And for the record (DC Muskie take note), I publicly apologize for past trashing Clint Dempsey and the US (in)ability to score.

[danaandvictory]

When Paul Brown stadium was built, it wasn't suppose to be just for the "Bengals" so the field was built a bit bigger so that a soccer game could be held there as well. If you remember, they were trying to get the olympics to come to town.

The women's national team played a friendly at PBS during Mia Hamm's farewell tour. I would guess they got 25-30K.

Now that the field is turf, I doubt we'll see much interest in further games there.

[ammtd34]

Saturday, Stubhub called my buddy to tell him the seller couldn't complete the order. I'm assuming he never actually had the tickets. They offered us the cheapest tickets on the site, but he refused because our tickets were much better. Stubhub said that we couldn't get similar tickets because prices had increased so much. My buddy explained that we bought the tickets we wanted based on market conditions the day we bought them. That prices had increased was immaterial to us.

Fast forward to today, 4 phone calls later. He was able to get us section 128, row 7 for no additional cost. Other tickets in 128 are currently $450 on Stubhub. Boom.

[pickledpigsfeet]

I'll be there on Tuesday. A high school buddy who got 8 tickets in the pre-public sale called yesterday to see if I could go. $60 face value ticket and that's all he wants for it. So pumped. Not sure if I'll be behind one of the goals in the crazy Sam's Army section or in the upper deck at the top of one of the 18yd boxes but there really isn't a bad seat in that stadium and I think that I'd rather be up top to see the whole game and plays develop instead of being 100yds away from the action at times.

That said, I was at the Crew game last Saturday and while I like their stadium and set up, it needs some TLC and renovations badly. The video board doesn't work all of the time and when it does some of the pixel blocks are out their PA system didn't work until the 35 minute of the game and when it did work but volume of it was all over the place. If they just fixed those two things it would make a big difference but its been a year and nothing has been done about either.

[ammtd34]

I'll be there on Tuesday. A high school buddy who got 8 tickets in the pre-public sale called yesterday to see if I could go. $60 face value ticket and that's all he wants for it. So pumped. Not sure if I'll be behind one of the goals in the crazy Sam's Army section or in the upper deck at the top of one of the 18yd boxes but there really isn't a bad seat in that stadium and I think that I'd rather be up top to see the whole game and plays develop instead of being 100yds away from the action at times.

That said, I was at the Crew game last Saturday and while I like their stadium and set up, it needs some TLC and renovations badly. The video board doesn't work all of the time and when it does some of the pixel blocks are out their PA system didn't work until the 35 minute of the game and when it did work but volume of it was all over the place. If they just fixed those two things it would make a big difference but its been a year and nothing has been done about either.

Things like this make me nervous that Seattle will get the Mexico qualifier in 2017 by default. A win Tuesday would go a long way in making sure it's back in Columbus

[Emp]

Yes! Just scored a ticket off a CL ad from two young lads from LA. If you want last second, try the Columbus Craigs list. Section 121GA.

Went out to the stadium to try for last minute release tickets, it looks like the freakin Olympics/World Cup, all sorts of corporate display exhibits, extra food setups, entertainment areas.

This is going to be a bizarre game with Bradley and Altidore out, Mex reeling with an interim coach, but I'm pumped. Alas a short course of meds is going to preclude hydrating with the right stuff, but standing the entire game in the American Outlaws section will require a clear mind and some stamina.

U-S-A. U-S-A.........

[ammtd34]

Yes! Just scored a ticket off a CL ad from two young lads from LA. If you want last second, try the Columbus Craigs list. Section 121GA.

Went out to the stadium to try for last minute release tickets, it looks like the freakin Olympics/World Cup, all sorts of corporate display exhibits, extra food setups, entertainment areas.

This is going to be a bizarre game with Bradley and Altidore out, Mex reeling with an interim coach, but I'm pumped. Alas a short course of meds is going to preclude hydrating with the right stuff, but standing the entire game in the American Outlaws section will require a clear mind and some stamina.

U-S-A. U-S-A.........

I'm glad to be clear of the Outlaws. I will admire them from afar as I'm sure they'll look and sound really cool, but I wouldn't want to be amongst them. Awesome news on the score. Have fun.

[nuts4xu]

Ready to rumble, USA! USA! USA!

Beat those lazy Mexican players!!!

[Muskie]

Watching as well.

[LA Muskie]

Is it me or does something look wrong with Donovan's right eye?

[paulxu]

U.s.a.

(capital function is screwed up)

[Charlesbt4]

Is it me or does something look wrong with Donovan's right eye?

Pink eye.

[DC Muskie]

Is it me or does something look wrong with Donovan's right eye?

He has pink eye.

[bourbonman]

u.s.a.

(capital function is screwed up)

usa! Usa! Usa!

Here too

[LA Muskie]

Great 75 minutes (I could have done without the wretched first 15). World Cup 2014 here we come!!!

[LA Muskie]

He has pink eye.

Thanks. I guess that's what I get for ignoring everything Alexi Lalas says...

[DC Muskie]

Thanks. I guess that's what I get for ignoring everything Alexi Lalas says...

Alexi Lalas is the original Knobber.

[Emp]

Stunning. The team, the win, the stadium, the crowd, the Outlaws.

I've been to many partisan and non-partisan sporting events where the crowd got into it. Lots of Xavier basketball exciting wins, the Terraces (back when the stadium ends were all standing fans) at Loftus Road (QPR Rules), three Olys. All were great, but that was the most wonderful sporting event I have ever attended. General Seating with the supporters from Am Outlaws was awesome. No maniac drunks, total enthusiasm, no crude chanting (well, some pretty good spanish taunting cheers), positive vibe throughout. The entire stadium stood for the whole game. One very pregnant woman decided to move, but it was a great atmosphere without downer inebriate exhibitionism.

Im trying to download a photo of the huge "Columbus Ohio HOME" banner that unfurled just before the game. Very nice commemorative scarf for the occasion, though a bit warm for it this evening.

We are going to Brazil!

[nuts4xu]

Stunning. The team, the win, the stadium, the crowd, the Outlaws.

I've been to many partisan and non-partisan sporting events where the crowd got into it. Lots of Xavier basketball exciting wins, the Terraces (back when the stadium ends were all standing fans) at Loftus Road (QPR Rules), three Olys. All were great, but that was the most wonderful sporting event I have ever attended. General Seating with the supporters from Am Outlaws was awesome. No maniac drunks, total enthusiasm, no crude chanting (well, some pretty good spanish taunting cheers), positive vibe throughout. The entire stadium stood for the whole game. One very pregnant woman decided to move, but it was a great atmosphere without downer inebriate exhibitionism.

Im trying to download a photo of the huge "Columbus Ohio HOME" banner that unfurled just before the game. Very nice commemorative scarf for the occasion, though a bit warm for it this evening.

We are going to Brazil!

Sounds like a great experience EMP. Way to bring home a win!

[xubrew]

I'm glad to be clear of the Outlaws. I will admire them from afar as I'm sure they'll look and sound really cool, but I wouldn't want to be amongst them. Awesome news on the score. Have fun.

The Outlaws are the ones that get in for about fifty bucks. If that. That's kind of how it works. By the time the presale is over, there's nothing left that isn't available unless you want to pay hundreds of dollars for it.

And it works. What you get is a stadium full of Outlaws. Hence, the atmosphere.

[xubrew]

I really don't know how I feel about the big stadium either.

If you're in the American Outlaws, which is the supporters group, you can generally get tickets without any problem and you don't have to mortgage your house to do it. Since I'm in the Outlaws, I like that setup. I also like that it creates a situation where you're in there with the other diehards. Everyone there is a huge soccer fan because they are the ones that are privy to the presales and discounts. Everyone else is paying through the nose.

Having said that, it makes it harder to grow the popularity of the sport. I've always said that if you're not a soccer fan, but decide to go to a qualifier or Outlaws viewing party, you'll at least be a fan of the national team by the time the game is over. The smaller stadiums limit who can experience that.

Then again, it would not be the same experience in a big stadium where the majority of the people are either not diehards and won't want to drink, and cheer, and yell, and chant (probably because they don't know the chants) and participate, or are cheering for the other team.

I don't know where soccer is in the American sports pecking order. It's not like the NFL where the whole season is a showcase, but it definitely has it's showcase moments where everyone is engaged and interested. The World Cup, and the qualifiers against Mexico in particular. I used to compare it to Olympic swimming or track. It's not popular, but it has it's showcase moment during the Olympics when everyone is a fan. It may have even surpassed that by now, but I still don't think it's ready for a big stadium. They could certainly sell out a big stadium, but they can't fill it with diehards. There would only be a smattering of diehards amongst the casual fans and the opposing fans. The atmosphere would certainly suffer. In a small stadium, it's rammed full of diehards, and the atmosphere is the best atmosphere you'll ever experience at any sporting event. I'm not kidding. It's better than Cameron Indoor. It's better than any college football or basketball game you'll ever go to. There really is nothing like it.

I am no longer undecided. I like the way they do it now. It's incredible. I don't want that to change. If you want to get into the games without any trouble, become an American Outlaw. Nothing against the bandwagon fans. All diehard fans were probably once bandwagon fans. But, a stadium full of diehards is the way to go. It's kind of like people who went to the the Crosstown Shootout, and never went to another game, or even cared about another game. Yeah, it is great to see enthusiasm on a larger scale, but at the same time there is another part of me that wants them to get out of the way of the diehard fans that are always there. So....I'm no longer torn. I like how it is now.

We are going to Brazil!!!

[LA Muskie]

I am no longer undecided. I like the way they do it now. It's incredible. I don't want that to change. If you want to get into the games without any trouble, become an American Outlaw. Nothing against the bandwagon fans. All diehard fans were probably once bandwagon fans. But, a stadium full of diehards is the way to go. It's kind of like people who went to the the Crosstown Shootout, and never went to another game, or even cared about another game. Yeah, it is great to see enthusiasm on a larger scale, but at the same time there is another part of me that wants them to get out of the way of the diehard fans that are always there. So....I'm no longer torn. I like how it is now.

We are going to Brazil!!!

I'm a card-carrying (well...bandana-wearing) Outlaw. Couldn't be prouder of their performance tonight!!! They kept it going all 97 mins...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[DC Muskie]

I am no longer undecided. I like the way they do it now. It's incredible. I don't want that to change. If you want to get into the games without any trouble, become an American Outlaw. Nothing against the bandwagon fans. All diehard fans were probably once bandwagon fans. But, a stadium full of diehards is the way to go. It's kind of like people who went to the the Crosstown Shootout, and never went to another game, or even cared about another game. Yeah, it is great to see enthusiasm on a larger scale, but at the same time there is another part of me that wants them to get out of the way of the diehard fans that are always there. So....I'm no longer torn. I like how it is now.

We are going to Brazil!!!

It's been that way since we started playing at Crew Stadium. I was there for the first two Dos A Cero matches. We got tickets because we were members of USSF.

I think it's great there are groups like Sam's Army and American Outlaws. Personally I will never join either because they are wanna be hooligans, who don't actually act like hooligans (which is a good thing I might add) and just further promote the idea that joining their gang is the only way you can get tickets for a match like this.

I still can't believe we beat them again by 2-0. Alexi needs to be punched in the face for suggesting that the World Cup is better with Mexico in it. Portugal, who has one of the best players in the entire world, probably won't qualify. Yeah Alexi it would suck not seeing Mexico rather than Ronaldo.

[ammtd34]

I don't have any desire to join either, though I see nothing wrong with the people that do. It's just not for me.

I will second the sentiment that last night was the coolest sporting event I've ever been to. It never stopped. Well done, Columbus.

[xubrew]

It's been that way since we started playing at Crew Stadium. I was there for the first two Dos A Cero matches. We got tickets because we were members of USSF.

I think it's great there are groups like Sam's Army and American Outlaws. Personally I will never join either because they are wanna be hooligans, who don't actually act like hooligans (which is a good thing I might add) and just further promote the idea that joining their gang is the only way you can get tickets for a match like this.

I still can't believe we beat them again by 2-0. Alexi needs to be punched in the face for suggesting that the World Cup is better with Mexico in it. Portugal, who has one of the best players in the entire world, probably won't qualify. Yeah Alexi it would suck not seeing Mexico rather than Ronaldo.

That is precisely why I did join. It was to get access to presale tickets for the 07 Gold Cup Final. It never occurred to me before that because getting tickets was never an issue to any of the very few games I had been to before that. I had never liked the idea of fan clubs, but for $25 you get a t-shirt, a shot glass, a bandanna that I never wear, and access to presales. I never thought of them as being hooligan wannabes, but can certainly understand that point of view. I like watching soccer and drinking beer, and I like being around other people who like watching soccer and drinking beer, and I like presales. So, the Outlaws made a whole lot of sense.

[DC Muskie]

That is precisely why I did join. It was to get access to presale tickets for the 07 Gold Cup Final. It never occurred to me before that because getting tickets was never an issue to any of the very few games I had been to before that. I had never liked the idea of fan clubs, but for $25 you get a t-shirt, a shot glass, a bandanna that I never wear, and access to presales. I never thought of them as being hooligan wannabes, but can certainly understand that point of view. I like watching soccer and drinking beer, and I like being around other people who like watching soccer and drinking beer, and I like presales. So, the Outlaws made a whole lot of sense.

That's precisely why I don't join. I can get presale tickets by being a member of the Federation. I'd rather give money to have a strong federation then getting a t shirt, shot glass and other shit I don't need.

Don't get me wrong, I'm like ammdt, those groups aren't for me, but I have no problem people joining them or having them exist. My only issue is when they promote the idea that they control access to tickets. They probably have a specific section, but they don't control the entire stadium.

As an aside, I think calling a supporters group "Outlaws" as probably the gayest thing ever. I remember when I first heard of them around 08 and they were creating an identity for themselves that was different than Sam's Army. They wore blue. Why? Because they were "outlaws" creating their own "rules." Now they wear red, probably after a member vote.

They can be a fun group to watch games with, but they were the same fun group of people before they decided wearing a bandana over their faces, which is even more gay. At least they stopped using terms like "Mob Up" and shit like that acting like because they read "Among the Thugs" they were down with proper European groups.

They did a great job last night. But the only difference I saw were more coordinated flag waving, which is great, but doesn't make the experience of being there any better.

[LA Muskie]

That is precisely why I did join. It was to get access to presale tickets for the 07 Gold Cup Final. It never occurred to me before that because getting tickets was never an issue to any of the very few games I had been to before that. I had never liked the idea of fan clubs, but for $25 you get a t-shirt, a shot glass, a bandanna that I never wear, and access to presales. I never thought of them as being hooligan wannabes, but can certainly understand that point of view. I like watching soccer and drinking beer, and I like being around other people who like watching soccer and drinking beer, and I like presales. So, the Outlaws made a whole lot of sense.

This. We are in the exact same boat.

[xubrew]

Sounds like you actually know more about them than I do. You've told me a couple of things about it that I never knew. I just found it on google when I was trying to access a presale because I wanted into the supporters section. I just filled out the information and they sent me a bunch of crap that I thought was pretty cool. I think I'm in Sams Army too. I still get emails from them every now and then anyway.

I've never voted on anything, and I really don't know what their history is. I do know that the shirts went from being blue to being red, but I never really knew (or cared) why. I do get a new shirt every year, along with some other type of small gift, and I get emails in regards to presales for all the games, even the road games. And, it's fun to go to the bar knowing that there will be a lot of other fans there to watch the game with. So, to me, it's worth it.

[LA Muskie]

Yeah I'm a Sam's Army member as well. I like the info/presale access of both organizations but I'm not really a "group cheer"-type guy so I I've never actually ever attended an event with either group.

I don't contribute to the Federation because I've been involved with it since I was 12 and can't say I have a positive view of the USSF. It is a horribly ineffective, political mess from top down.

[DC Muskie]

Oh man you get a t shirt every year????!!! Man I have to sign up for that!

I'm busting balls.

I get emails on presales from the Federation. I guess if I wanted to sit with the Outlaws I would go through them and get a t shirt for doing so! I'm sorry I can't help but laugh at that.

You live in Dayton right? How many soccer bars are there? If you are ever in DC and want to watch a match I can take you to about 500 where other people will be there as well.

[DC Muskie]

Yeah I'm a Sam's Army member as well. I like the info/presale access of both organizations but I'm not really a "group cheer"-type guy so I I've never actually ever attended an event with either group.

I don't contribute to the Federation because I've been involved with it since I was 12 and can't say I have a positive view of the USSF. It is a horribly ineffective, political mess from top down.

I never had a problem getting tickets through USSF. Sure it has problems, but those supporter groups are just as political in a lot of ways. I'm not really interested in lining the pockets of a few guys from Nebraska. Of course I could get a t shirt out of it!

I think over the years the Federation has done a lot of good then bad.

[xubrew]

Oh man you get a t shirt every year????!!! Man I have to sign up for that!

I'm busting balls.

I get emails on presales from the Federation. I guess if I wanted to sit with the Outlaws I would go through them and get a t shirt for doing so! I'm sorry I can't help but laugh at that.

You live in Dayton right? How many soccer bars are there? If you are ever in DC and want to watch a match I can take you to about 500 where other people will be there as well.

I live in Alabama. There is one soccer bar, and it is the one the Outlaws go to.

...and I get a t-shirt every year. I say that only to explain the extent of my involvement. I know they send me a t-shirt every year, and give me access to presales. And a bandana too, I guess.

So, yeah. You should sign up.

[xubrew]

I never had a problem getting tickets through USSF. Sure it has problems, but those supporter groups are just as political in a lot of ways. I'm not really interested in lining the pockets of a few guys from Nebraska. Of course I could get a t shirt out of it!

I think over the years the Federation has done a lot of good then bad.

I bet the federation doesn't give out t-shirts.

[paulxu]

I live in Alabama. There is one soccer bar.

That's probably 100% more soccer bars than South Carolina.

[DC Muskie]

I live in Alabama. There is one soccer bar, and it is the one the Outlaws go to.

Well now I can see how useful those emails can be!

"Hey everyone, match coming up, we'll meet at the one bar we usually go to. Wear your t shirt that we gave you."


So, yeah. You should sign up.

Sure sounds tempting...but I think I'll pass. I don't think I buy one t shirt every year, so what would I do with multiple "Outlaws" t shirts?


I bet the federation doesn't give out t-shirts.

They sure try and sell you a bunch of stuff that's for sure.

[xubrew]

Well now I can see how useful those emails can be!

"Hey everyone, match coming up, we'll meet at the one bar we usually go to. Wear your t shirt that we gave you."



Every year. They're red now.

[paulxu]

I'm betting this is the same Alabama bar that hosts the Outlaws.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9660072/alabama-bar-creates-piñata-texas-johnny-manziel

[ammtd34]

Speaking of bars, my buddy's blog, Wrong Side of the Pond, started this project about a year ago. If you know of a bar that needs added, feel free. This map has been useful several times when I've been out of town and wanted to watch a game.

http://www.thefreebeermovement.com/pages/368/

[Emp]

Busting balls and anti-hooliganism in the same post?

There is not even a remote similarity between Scotch-English club hooliganism and the Outlaws. There is also no comparison in the offensive nature of the chanting. Or the inebriation. Invalid comparisons all around.

The"coordinated flag waving" was the Nordeck Columbus Crew guys in the corner, not Sam's Army behind the north goal. I didn't see any flagwaving mania in the Outlaws section at all, just positive and sustained enthusiasm.

DC, I know you are the Coolest Ungay Cat to ever post, but you're at least two bridges too far on these topics.

[paulxu]

I don't know about hooliganism; that may very well be an English/Scottish deal.

But I do know about inebriation. And those two groups are mere babes in the woods compared to my Irish.

[DC Muskie]

Busting balls and anti-hooliganism in the same post?

There is not even a remote similarity between Scotch-English club hooliganism and the Outlaws. There is also no comparison in the offensive nature of the chanting. Or the inebriation. Invalid comparisons all around.

The"coordinated flag waving" was the Nordeck Columbus Crew guys in the corner, not Sam's Army behind the north goal. I didn't see any flagwaving mania in the Outlaws section at all, just positive and sustained enthusiasm.

DC, I know you are the Coolest Ungay Cat to ever post, but you're at least two bridges too far on these topics.

Well once again our good friend Emp didn't actually read what I wrote which is not surprising.

Go back re-read what I wrote. Don't worry I'll accept your apology.