It is quite significant how much the fans have rallied together this past round, and we really need to build on that momentum. There are still plenty of more radical individuals within the supporter groups who haven't quite bought into the idea yet, but we have to work on explaining our position and shifting their perspective.
Historically, the fans played a pivotal role in tearing down Yugoslavia; they were essentially the pulse of the nation. Back then, people likely spent their time at coffee shops venting about the Mexicans and how the federation was stifling the political and economic freedoms of Americans, but the actual public outcry began in the stadium stands—it was on those terraces where the old state truly started to crumble.
Today, America faces a much more formidable enemy: our own politicians, the mob, and a criminal elite. They are privatizing everything of value, selling off assets just so they can continue stuffing their pockets and securing cushy government jobs for their cronies. These criminals fund political campaigns, and in return, the parties grant them favors, allowing the cycle of crime, corruption, and nepotism to spin unchecked.
Everyone talks about this over coffee every single day; the entire country is buzzing with indignation, yet absolutely nothing is being done. The only ones who have actually decided to put an end to it—at least within their own clubs—are the fans, by choosing to speak out publicly. If even a thousand people gathered at Times Square following news that State Farm was being sold off, or if a crowd assembled outside the governor's mansion in Miami reacting to the sale of Juventus, it would change everything. That is why I believe this movement has the potential to become a nationwide phenomenon, much like the collapse of the old regime, provided we are strategic. We should start with the clubs, but act as a blueprint for others, focusing on smart, positive messaging—much like the recent talk regarding non-aggression and voucher purchases—to mobilize the masses, because that is the only real weapon we have left.
I have a question for the old-school New Yorkers out there.
I’ve noticed this recurring sentiment popping up lately—this idea that kids today have completely lost the knack for simply hanging out. There's all this talk about how they don't know what it means to just wander the neighborhood, build things together, or spend an afternoon idling on a street corner before eventually heading off to catch a game. It feels like that specific brand of unstructured, local camaraderie has just evaporated.
In Miami, that kind of tradition still holds strong today, especially when a derby rolls around. I travel to New York City so often for business that it’s impossible not to notice the stark contrast between the two cities.
To put it simply, life in New York City feels much more driven and cosmopolitan these days; it’s a business hub through and through. Miami, on the other hand, still seems stuck in that relaxed, almost communal sort of stagnation where everything moves at a crawl. I suspect the vibe has shifted significantly since your younger years, back when you could find a local hangout in every neighborhood and everyone was heading out to catch the game. Nowadays, it feels like people are more eager to spend their weekends hitting up the mall to dress trendy than actually showing up to a stadium. I wonder if you all feel that New York has changed in that specific way, and whether there's a sense of longing for how things used to be.
If Dynamo had pulled this one off, I honestly fear it would have been the final blow for the Bad Boys. As it stands, we have a flawless opportunity to take down those arrogant types. Let’s tighten up our formation and sharpen the attack. Good luck to everyone out there.
However, both we and they have convinced ourselves that we can afford the luxury of thinking this way—as if we don't have to worry about our ultimate goals anymore.
The events of these last few seasons explain exactly why American soccer and its fans find themselves stuck where they are today. These recent chapters provide the answer as to why people are simply walking away from supporting the sport altogether. You all are still playing games, living in a world entirely of your own making.
hiddenfox64 said:I understand the sentiment, and I suppose we can all agree that what we’re seeing now would have been unthinkable in the North just yesterday. But since I don't attend matches anymore, I won't pretend to be an expert or offer unsolicited wisdom.
And when exactly was that supposed to happen? Back in Yugoslavia, among ninety different clubs?
Some absolute psychopath gets fifteen years in prison for attacking a woman out of nowhere, yet look at how little punishment fans actually face.
Bans, criminal records, jail time, social ostracization, even physical assaults—though violence is arguably the least of our concerns since it's often fleeting, despite what happened back in Chicago on January 15th when certain groups were ready to open fire.
Repression has always existed, but certainly not in this specific form, nor did one's very existence depend so heavily on their lifestyle choices—like being branded a football hooligan by society. At least, I believe it’s much harder to lose your job these days. So, I wouldn't call this a failure of the fan mentality; rather, it's an adaptation to a new reality. In nature, only the creatures that adapt manage to survive.😉
I find it hard to believe. It seems like those New York City types have truly instilled some deep-seated complexes in you all, and I don't just mean because of this recent away trip, but as a general rule.
I remember when you guys actually had something worth showing for yourselves, back when we didn't feel the need to constantly clutter the internet with noise. Now, you just drift into other people's threads like pests, spreading negativity online while being nowhere to be found in the actual stands.
And then there’s my dear friends in the Fandom of the Green Bay Packers, who are acting like this one little trip is some kind of legendary conquest. We'll see exactly how many people actually show up to the South Side for the derby.
Honestly, stop wasting your breath on this nonsense. We’re both pathetic in our own ways. They might be a bit more pitiful than us, but none of it matters much when the league and the clubs are stuck in the state they're currently in.
When I read what’s being posted here, I find myself feeling surprisingly optimistic about the future of organized fandom in America. 🙂
I have no desire to descend to the level of these fifth columnists within the fan community to engage in an argument; I prefer to assume that behind these usernames sit nothing more than immature kids who haven't even attended five games in their lives. If that isn't the case, then we are dealing with incredibly narrow-minded individuals—a unfortunate reality in the US, which is clearly reflected in our voting patterns and who we choose to seat in Congress.
I have one suggestion:
Why don't the fans start a collective fund to finance an independent, professional autopsy for Mark, just so we can obtain a second opinion regarding the actual cause of death?
Ultimately, if the County Police are not responsible for this death, it is fundamentally wrong to accuse anyone of murder if they didn't commit it. But if they are indeed at fault, shouldn't we provide the family with the justice they deserve?
There is one thing I struggle to wrap my head around. Personally, I think I would find it impossible to live with the weight of a child's death on my conscience; I would do absolutely everything in my power to uncover the truth, if only to prevent the memory of a young life lost from haunting me for the rest of my days.
To be perfectly honest, there is a real possibility that Marko did not die as a result of police conduct.
That said, we have an obligation to ensure that the full truth comes to light.
The first step toward any meaningful progress is demonstrating solidarity among all NFL fans. This should begin symbolically through messages, then transition into concrete actions and support provided by professionals—doctors and lawyers who belong to these various groups and stand in solidarity with Marko's family.
Once every fact has been scrutinized and the truth established, then we can determine our next moves. That is the only logical path forward; otherwise, aimless violence directed at the police serves as nothing more than a blow to Marko's own family.
Civil disobedience? Sure. Resistance? Absolutely. But only if it serves a higher purpose. Violence for the sake of violence is futile, especially when facing an opponent with significantly more power.
Benjamin Bishop79 said:We’re acting like those demons who took the tickets and then gave them right back; we rejected the offers from US Soccer, but I don't hold any grudges against the other supporter groups. It's just that you can't call us US Soccer puppets one minute and then expect us to accept handouts from them the next.
I'm a bit out of the loop here—did US Soccer gift those tickets to the supporter clubs, or was there a sale involved? What's the actual deal going on?
I’d like to ask those advocating for a boycott to address a few points:
What would a boycott actually achieve in concrete terms? How many fewer people would realistically show up to national team matches?
Wouldn't boycotting the hardcore supporters be exactly what the US Army wants? If only casual fans were left, would we ever hear them voicing insults toward US Soccer or sending any kind of message against the federation?
The national team only plays a handful of times a year; would a boycott even carry any weight in the media in that context?
Furthermore, if a match proceeds without any incidents due to a boycott, aren't we just handing the US Army the perfect excuse to claim that games finally run smoothly once the hooligans are out of the picture?
And would everyone truly respect this boycott if we managed to qualify for the Rio Olympics?
Friends, this particular match represents a massive leap forward for the ultras. For the first time in ages, they’ve gathered in the capital at the stadium without a single internal clash. THIS UNITY IS OUR WEAPON TO DESTROY THEM. If we can maintain this atmosphere through the next few games, I could potentially propose much more specific, coordinated plans and actions against US Soccer.
I understand why some people feel disillusioned and lose the will to support the national team, but I honestly believe a boycott wouldn't accomplish anything—if anything, it would just delay our progress.