Posts by Raymond Gonzalez

swiftmarlin72 said:The choreography was actually quite impressive, credit where credit is due for the effort... though the cheering felt a bit lackluster to me during the second half... maybe it was just the players, or perhaps I'm mistaken...
Raymond Gonzalez, you usually write rather insightful posts, so was it truly necessary to bring up "complexes"? Please, give me one single reason why a Kansas City Chiefs fan would harbor a complex toward Seattle or San Francisco? Aside from the fact that you've always been superior at stone-throwing—which, by the way, gives me a complex too...

If someone has a complex, whether they are a supporter of the Kansas City Chiefs or from Napa Valley... I am certainly not targeting anyone in particular... and complexes vary wildly, ranging from someone being bothered by our specific dialectal quirks to someone being annoyed because we once had a mandatory straight path instead of turning right or left, or some other triviality... that is all...

As for the stones, I have seen plenty of them scattered across California, Washington, D.C., and even out in the Midwest, along with bricks and beer mugs, so there is no reason for anyone to feel insecure... there is no need for such things... if I may quote Jesus: "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone."

By the way, Campetto... it's a neighborhood over in Cleveland

I’m curious how everyone feels about the "Cleveland United" slogan—whether people actually buy into it or if it just triggers some sort of insecurity. From my perspective, it’s a straightforward, unambiguous message from the fans, without all that excessive, over-the-top fluff...

Furthermore, I’m aware that in the States, there are really only two stadiums where you could pull off a full-stand choreography like that (excluding the away section) and have it actually look decent. That says something about the collective awareness of us Clevelanders...

Commercialism... just like everything else these days. There is no way that's going to sound good in my car before the game, so I'd much rather listen to a 😉
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Nathan Rodriguez10 said:I have a quick request for anyone in the armada. Does anyone know if there will be tickets available for sale at the stadium before Sunday night's derby? I'm driving in from the coast specifically to catch this game, and I’m a bit concerned that everything might already be sold out... any thoughts?... 😁

Understood... 👍

bluewalker92 said:I have nothing but praise for the ultras. I don't think I've ever stepped foot in Indianapolis without being met by a wall of smoke, and their banners are damn impressive too... Plus, their Wi-Fi is actually decent... 🙂

👍I agree..
The only issue, in my view, is that they choose to stand there among the general public on those stands. But at the end of the day, that is their choice.
Given the numbers, our support was weaker than expected. People were clearly discouraged by the subpar play, the lack of results, and most of all, the blatant robbery, the red cards, and the way they stifled San Francisco's momentum. We are still living for this Sunday...

An invitation from Armani to purchase a seasonal subscription.

Anonymous said:Is the author denying that "brotherhood and unity" ever existed in the old country?
Or is he implying that such chemistry is missing from current club management and certain players' mindsets?
I fail to see how any of this relates to the fans today... unless we can somehow teleport into the frame and deal with this guy who thinks he's being funny...

Isn't it possible the players were just switching jerseys? 😕, I have no idea how these photos relate to the topic, other than falling under the category of "just trolling"...

Kenneth Campbell64 said:A pleasant little generation... those last two actions...
friend, give us a call so we can return your banners, though you always seem to be avoiding any encounter with us; you claim there are problems, but you're still stuck living in the 90s—times have changed. 😍

1. General Dynamics (2004/05), where people on this forum attacked our four guys in a bar, yet later everyone just buzzes around on scooters once those who are still mentally stuck in the "90s" finally show up.
2. The local team, during a friendly match in Palm Springs (winter somewhere around 2005/06, when Scoria was coaching the Cleveland squad—correct me if I'm wrong), where you leave the game at halftime escorted by the police (and once again, those living in the "90s" were waiting outside), using the excuse that you were going to hunt for banners at a local event in Key West, or for a Real Madrid friendly, or heaven knows who else.
3. Either the shipyard or the old district near Cleveland about a year later; a minibus pulls up to the waterfront a few hours before the match, naturally populated by "those who live in the 90s." A stroll, then some drinks near the golden gate, a California flag dropped on the ground, and not a single passerby or commuter bothers to bend down and pick it up, except for one elderly woman.

As for all that "avoiding" business, I won't even go there, because whenever you drive through Cleveland (wandering around the outskirts) or take a walk over to the neighborhood, it turns into a full-blown epic. Just rest easy; not everyone is obsessed solely with you and living their lives without a demon in their head.
In this entire saga, you simply choose your battles, which clearly seems to be something you excel at.

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Anonymous said:And what, we should face criminal charges just for being obsessed with rab? Is that how it works now? Hmm...

I almost find myself agreeing with you...

To my neighbors in Istanbul, I send my regards, though as
a young crowd that once thought they could actually take down the Armada,
your performance yesterday was nothing short of amateurish—mostly due to your blatant failure to respect the opposition.
It isn’t that you aren't capable
or inferior to any other group; rather, you've demonstrated just how warped
your understanding of fan culture truly is.
For those waiting for the details, since everyone is so eager, in the 60th minute, you
hoisted four flags, only one of which featured "Pićan"—a banner that was confiscated
by security, though its actual significance is hardly worth mentioning.
I find it curious that you kept them tucked away in the "bunker" for so long.
And if the score ended up 4:0, so be it.

Besides, there was really no need for us to wait for you, nor for us to encounter you again...

Could we please just clear out all this bickering and petty insults... some part of the Cleveland fan base was seen cheering alongside gypsies back in 1987, and the Boston Red Sox fans used to idolize Josip Broz Tito and weep over his passing... let's move on...

Post actual photos and stick to the facts..

analoghawk51 said:I was actually at the game, hanging out with about 15 guys from the crew...
If my memory serves me right, the energy wasn't just a late surge; they were really pushing from midway through the second half, (feel free to correct me if I've got that wrong)

Yeah, that’s pretty much how it went. Unfortunately, I can't see us—or anyone else for that matter—recreating that kind of atmosphere anytime soon...

I’ve been following Čečena since the old days, back when we were all part of the same generation. Honestly, he probably doesn't need a lawyer, but if anyone here is going to stand up against those fake hooligans and bandwagon fans, it’s him. Then again, this forum isn't exactly the place where he needs to prove himself. Believe me, both he and a few of us older guys who still play some role in the group care about the club a bit more than most, but let's not forget—we’ve been around for 23 years now, while boards of directors come and go. They take the players with them, too. To talk about the supporter groups and the actual fans as if they are one entity is simply comparing apples to oranges. Fans have their own visions, and then there’s the "ultra" groups with theirs; both sides seem convinced they know what’s best...

Finally, don't go harboring any illusions that supporter groups actually hold much sway over the club. In the end, everything boils down to the results on the field. If that weren't the case, neither Jerry Jones nor Donald Trump would bother owning their teams, regardless of how well-organized a tovar might run their "Code" campaign, along with all the surrounding performances.

Jacob Newman74 said:Isolating the Armada within itself is easily one of the top three worst things people are doing right now. While there certainly needs to be some hierarchy in the stands, the crowd is becoming drastically split between those fully immersed in the culture—handling away trips, choreographing displays, and so on—and those who aren't quite that intense but still show up for home games and love Cleveland just as much.

Instead of fostering a sense of being part of the Armada from the youngest fans to the oldest, where the name serves to bring everyone together in the stands, they are doing the exact opposite 😕

But fine, I suppose when we eventually ( 😍 ) win the championship and conquer Europe ( 😍 ), people will finally come around... maybe...

The decision to become more exclusive was necessary four years ago for very specific reasons. Now, the focus should be on growing our presence, but... Not everyone can be "Armada" level supporters, nor should they have to be. Personally, I am satisfied, and even proud, that the other fans who show up for derbies and major matches follow the chants, participate in the choreography when appropriate, and wave flags. That is what counts and what is expected of them, something others simply don't provide. Unfortunately, winning games remains the most powerful tool for drawing crowds to the stadium, as does having a fair and balanced league. All our other efforts and great displays simply aren't enough on their own.

Sarah Garcia6 said:So, for those of you who spend your lives nitpicking everything and constantly attacking everyone... you self-proclaimed moral authorities of the American supporter scene, I suppose you finally have your excuses for why you're so insignificant...
is that "ultra" enough?
or is this some groundbreaking, original thought you just cooked up?
The first ones to act out, and yet we'll probably hear this was the "ultra" way back in 2011 and we just weren't aware of it...
Yes, it's hypocritical to call people out for things like that... but when the very people doing it start explaining away their own hypocrisy, I honestly don't know what to call it...

🙏🙏🙏

Your group, after twenty-two years of existence, will likely never grasp the concept of being "ultra"... not because you lack the capacity, but because you were never taught to think that way. Debates over who qualifies as "ultra" and who doesn't mostly fall under the category of fan folklore and petty bickering...

In America, the term "ultra" is barely even understood by most fans. Discussing supporter numbers versus actually embodying an "ultra" mentality are two entirely different matters, which is why you missed the point. Personally, I can name at least ten reasons why we haven't achieved that ideal ultra mentality, and very few of them have anything to do with our numbers. I would argue that in America, it isn't tied to quantity either...

We can discuss that in another thread, as thinking like an "ultra" isn't easy, especially given the current climate in America and our league...

Jose Ruiz5 said:maybe in smaller groups, but when you look at the BBB or the Wildcats, the numbers don't lie. The only issue is that the BBB really only shows up for the derby against the big rival. It’s not like there are regular fans filling up the east or west stands. Meanwhile, the folks from the coast show up in great numbers even for small games. And the derby stadium? Packed. When it comes to away games, the Wildcats are by far the largest group numerically.

You might want to double-check those claims. The Wildcats might have been smaller this season—they definitely were in the past—but fundamentally, they are the most massive group. As for the BBB, they aren't even showing up to the derbies anymore, let alone traveling through Europe. Take a look at the attendance stats for Central Park; the city has nearly a million people plus fans coming in from other states. Even if the north stands at Central Park or the Rose Bowl are full, anyone with sense knows that isn't all just BBB and Wildcats. For us, the last time the stadium was truly packed was back in 1999 during the game against the Red Sox, when the stadium had just been renovated with seating for about 12,000 people. Before that, we had over 20,000 people show up in the spring for the Indianapolis game. There aren't many of us. We all know we tend to turn out for an "interesting" match or an away game, and nobody is running away from that. It feels somewhat hypocritical for anyone in America to try and call someone else out for it. Everyone should probably look at their own backyard before commenting on ours...

To BBB logo looks more like a cross representing the group's founding year, at least from this angle. On the other hand, the NATO symbol is modeled after a compass—something our choreographer used to represent traveling the world, which explains why there's a map in the background. If you want to dig deeper, the emblem is also a nod to the Stone Island brand, which is a staple among fans across Europe. Speaking of crosses and numbers, keep in mind that a similar display was once put on by the person in 2004 during a match against LA Galaxy...
http://i44.tinypic.com/rc6mpu.jpg

You all are fewer in number and occasionally quite loud. I suspect this is due to everyone saving their cash for Wednesday and perhaps upcoming Easter celebrations. I had grown accustomed to seeing more of you arrive during the second half, so this lull was somewhat surprising. If we look at the displays, the fencing was poorly executed—in my opinion, there were far too many subgroup banners without enough coverage—and while they highlighted that old "Purgeri" banner, the pyrotechnics were definitely underwhelming given the size of the crowd. The message itself was appropriate and well-timed. All things considered, you performed better in previous seasons...