Die-hard Ultras / Hardcore Supporters

Ethan Moore56 said:http://s9.postimg.org/iaikbfibj/pu_1.jpg
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So, did the Galaxy just hand over their traffic light to California?🤣

I suppose I must step away from the main topic, though I find myself compelled to do so, as this entire situation is simply grating on my nerves... Where was the ban on those flares when we were celebrating our championship victory? And where was the crackdown on the crowd that gathered at the police precinct park during that "spectacular" homecoming they threw for Rebić? Or even the recent outbursts from certain groups who openly celebrated our qualification for the Europa League with such a pack-like mentality? It seems the authorities have little regard for the actual fans, yet they are all too eager to hand out bans to our people for setting things ablaze near the police station. One cannot help but feel completely disregarded by a state that chooses to enforce its laws with such blatant selectivity.

I’m right there with you, Rebecca White3. It feels like we’re getting hit from every angle because of those two specific local ordinances, and honestly, things always get so tense whenever there’s a big celebration or a massive crowd gathering at the local stadiums... it's exhausting. I really think our only real move at this point is to file a constitutional challenge.

Those weren't even legitimate sporting events 🤷
I could slap them with a fine, but I can't hand down a ban

Most people within the American supporter scene—from the hardcore ultras at the core of every group to the casual fans just passing through—know the guy from Tampa, Tom Koogler.
The man is currently facing an incredibly brutal situation, scraping by day in and day out, working himself to the bone just to try and save his little boy, whom he calls his "fighter."
Very few people have actually stepped up to help, let alone reached out to ask Tom if he needs a hand. We all know Tom; there’s really no need for a formal introduction. You know his character and the virtues he has demonstrated throughout his life. He was always the first to step up whenever help was needed. Even though he spent most of his youth in the stands cheering for his beloved Tampa, he developed a deep perspective on the world around him, using his personality to support others far beyond the stadium walls. I don't even need to list the various charity drives he's been a part of.
I am not writing this in the hopes that some random stranger who isn't part of his inner circle will step in. I am writing this for one specific reason: Tom is someone who has genuinely elevated the supporter culture in America. He possesses a mindset that you just don't see often. Whether consciously or not, he has drawn so many guys into the world of fandom. Through his stories, he has moved people to tears, creating those rare moments where your heart skips a beat—even for the veterans who have traveled to thousands of away games. He simply had a unique way of providing joy to others and allowing them to experience things they would remember for a lifetime.
I believe it falls on us—those of us who call ourselves true fans, regardless of which group we belong to, which city we represent, or how we think—to help Tom as much as humanly possible and in whatever way we can. I am making an appeal to all supporter groups, their leadership, and their core members: get organized, step up, and help Tom and his little boy.

I can't see the image you're referring to—it looks like the link didn't work or the file isn't accessible. If you want me to rewrite the content from that post, just paste the actual text here. I'll make sure to give it that signature dry, slightly sarcastic touch while keeping everything strictly set in the States.
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I’m not entirely sure what to make of this—it feels like we’re looking at a snapshot of a situation that’s been brewing for quite some time. There's a certain level of chaos here, I suppose, though whether it's intentional or just pure, unadulterated mismanagement is anyone's guess. It seems like everyone involved is just sort of... drifting? Maybe that's being too harsh. But looking at the state of things, it’s hard not to feel a bit skeptical about where this is actually headed. Just my two cents, anyway.
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placidraven20 said:Most people within the American supporter scene—from the hardcore ultras at the core of every group to the die-hard fanatics and even the casual fans—know a guy from Tampa named George.
The man is currently facing an incredibly brutal situation, scraping by day after day and working himself to the bone just to try and save his little boy, whom he calls his "fighter."
Hardly anyone has even made a genuine effort to check in, let alone ask George if he needs a hand. Most of you know George; there’s really no need for an introduction. You know his character, qualities he has demonstrated through every stage of his life. He was always the first to step up whenever someone was in need. Even though he spent most of his youth in the stands cheering for his beloved Tampa, he developed a broad perspective on the world around him, using his personality outside the stadium to look out for others. I won't sit here and list all the charity drives he's been part of.
I'm not writing this because I expect help from outsiders who aren't part of his inner circle. I am writing this for one specific reason: George is one of those rare individuals who actually improved the supporter culture in America. He possesses a mindset you rarely see in this life. Whether intentionally or not, he drew so many guys into the supporter lifestyle. Through his stories, he could move you to tears—moments where your breath catches and your heart skips a beat—even for those of us who have traveled to thousands of away games. He simply had a unique way of providing joy to others and letting them experience things they would remember for a lifetime.
I believe it falls on us—those of us who call ourselves supporters, regardless of our specific group, what city we're from, or how we think—to help George as much as possible in whatever way we can. I am calling on all supporter groups, their leadership, and the people at the top to organize and lend a hand to George and his little one.

"Please, delete this from the forum and don't be mad at me. My wife and I don't want public campaigns or mass fundraising; we haven't authorized anything because we believe there are plenty of others out there with much more urgent needs. We trust that those who truly want to help will reach out to us on their own. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such a good human, and please, just take this down. Don't be angry, try to understand where I'm coming from... somewhere out there, someone might be dying right now because they can't afford surgery, and it wouldn't be right for anyone to run a massive campaign for me. If someone wants to help, they will do it themselves. My friend, if anyone asks, feel free to give them my account number, but there's no need for huge public actions. I'll pull this together, save my family, and then down the road, if any of us find ourselves in need, we, as supporters, can come together, organize a massive effort, and save lives." by George

...look, just open a separate thread instead of leaving your last post everywhere. It’s way easier to follow that way. Personally, I find this whole thing pretty depressing to look at, if you know what I mean.👍

Is anyone headed toward Stalingrad? I heard there might be an opening at one of the spots there.

http://m.dalmacijanews.com/article/?...ticle-id=63488

There it is—if they were actually serious about lighting money on fire, we’d be looking at a cool 400 million dollars... Honestly, we're just giving in way too easily on these compromises. 🙂

cosmicdrifter44 said:There it is—if they actually wanted to light money on fire, it’d be 400 million bucks easy... We're just handing over compromises for free. 🙂

Man, Springfield is really killing it over there 🙂

urbanbear45 said:Springfield really seems to be handling things quite efficiently over there 🙂

I must say, I truly admire your perspective. In fact, I was just about to compose a post expressing my own growing concern that the LA Galaxy might have their hands in all of this...

Morning. It’s pretty obvious how they handle things when we're involved, considering we had to play in San Francisco right after that matchup against the Boston Celtics...

Brandon Hill5 said:Well, good morning to you. It’s pretty obvious how they handle things when we're involved, ever since we were forced to play in San Francisco instead of facing the Boston Celtics on home turf...

You didn't "have" to play in San Francisco; you chose that venue. You could have picked Vienna or Washington, D.C. back then. FIFA banned playing at the Rose Bowl or in Indianapolis that season because those stadiums were within 31 miles miles of active combat zones (we're talking mid-August 1995). Similarly, Indianapolis opted to host their match against Slovan from Prague in Washington, D.C., in front of just a few thousand people.

It’s worth noting that LA Galaxy was supposed to compete in the FA Cup that summer, but they couldn't due to a one-year suspension.
The Boston Celtics also had to play their first match in Athens in an empty stadium because of their fans' behavior the previous season.
So, I honestly don't get this constant whining even eighteen years later. Your first match in Greece ended 0-0 without Gate 13 present. Meanwhile, you played in front of 12,000 Los Angeles Dodgers and NFL Ultras fans in San Francisco and managed a 1-1 draw.
You shouldn't paint every single situation as a conspiracy by FIFA. I mean, how else was Indianapolis supposed to play just a few miles from where the Storm was happening right after the liberation? We should be glad they eventually let us participate in European competitions for that '95/96 season.
Location isn't what matters—it's performance. And let's be real, you definitely had the home-field advantage during those two matches against Panathinaikos.

Personally, I can't stand the criteria used by the top European football federation, but that's just the reality when you're forced to play by someone else's rules.
Between all the accumulated penalties and bans over the years, it created this perception that Western European clubs get off easy. And then there are people like that discredited lawyer, D. V., who essentially sell out to UEFA for pennies...

briskmarlin said:You didn't have to play in San Francisco; you chose it. You could've picked Vienna or Washington, D.C. FIFA banned playing at the Rose Bowl or Fenway Park that season because those stadiums were within 31 miles miles of UNPA zones and active combat areas (we're talking mid-August 1995). Also, Indianapolis chose to play Slovan from Prague in Washington, D.C. in front of just a few thousand people.

Must mention that LA Galaxy was supposed to play in the FA Cup that summer, but they couldn't due to a one-year suspension.
Same goes for the Boston Celtics; they had to play their first match in Athens in an empty stadium because their fans went wild the season before.
So I don't get all this whining even 18 years later. Your first game was a 0-0 in Greece without Gate 13. Meanwhile, you guys played in front of 12,000 Los Angeles Dodgers and NFL Ultras fans in San Francisco and drew 1-1.
You shouldn't label every single situation as extreme negativity by UEFA. I mean, how else would Indianapolis play just a few miles from rebel territories a couple days after the "Storm" operation? It's good they finally let us participate in European competitions for that 95/96 season.
It doesn't matter where you play, it matters how you play—even if you guys had the home crowd advantage in those two games against Panathinaikos.

Personally, I hate the top European football federation's criteria, but that’s just how it is when you're forced to play by someone else's rules.
By piling up all these penalties and bans over the years, it created this perception that Western European clubs get off easier. And then there's the whole story about people like that discredited lawyer D. V., who basically sells out to UEFA for pocket change.

Don't know why you're showing up here or who you're trying to ban. Whatever. Don't try to explain things to me that I clearly understand better than you do. Just forget it.
When I said "you had to play in San Francisco," I meant we couldn't stand playing at home, not that we were forced to be in San Francisco specifically. Could've figured that much out.
The year before, we played Champions League in Miami, and we would've played in Miami again this year if our National Association hadn't been so useless and actually tried something. Their excuses for not playing in Miami weren't even real. If this were LA Galaxy, there would've been a national outcry and special news segments like "60 Minutes." I'm saying the association would've fought like hell for them, while for us, they couldn't care less. Fine, even better if we lose. If we'd made it through the CL that year, maybe everything in America wouldn't have gone south. That tension started right there, just like all the subsequent garbage coming out of Washington, D.C.

You can take those explanations and shove them, you know where.😉

Anyone heading down to El Paso tomorrow? I’ve got some extra space... 🙂

Joseph Torres18 said:Is anyone planning on heading out to El Paso tomorrow? I think there might still be some space available if you want to go. 🙂

I mean, sure, but that might just be because of your signature. Nothing. 🤣

I can't believe we're actually revisiting this—it’s almost impressive how little has changed since the last time we sat through this circus.
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Honestly, I guess if you squint hard enough, there might be some logic here? But probably not. http://s16.postimg.org/4qg1e9rlh/k_2.jpg
It’s just... well, it's what it is. A bit of a mess, really—though maybe I'm being too harsh. http://s17.postimg.org/ftqyywekv/k_3.jpg...wait, let me rephrase that. It's predictably chaotic.
I suppose we could try to make sense of it, but I suspect we'd just end up right back where we started. http://s13.postimg.org/o7v9b49cn/k_4.jpg
Anyway, just my two cents—not that anyone asked, of course. http://s21.postimg.org/ies9nxsfr/k_5.jpg