Bad Boys

Thomas Williams59 said:BtB, man, you’ve really gone and turned defeatism into your whole personality here. I guess I’m not anyone’s authority and probably shouldn't be weighing in, but:
- even I know there is a "main" organization, and it’s at a specific physical spot where you can actually find relevant people and eventually work up the nerve to talk to whoever you need to about your ideas. So, saying it doesn't exist is just wrong. What, does it only count if there's a bar?
- it’s pretty obvious that whatever is crawling around Maksimir isn't Dynamo. That analogy about your girlfriend is a miss. It's more like your girlfriend was replaced by some monster pretending to be her. Like if the US was occupied by some hostile force and they just left the flag flying and expected you to salute it. You don't salute a state like that. You don't support it at all. Even if they win three games in the Premier League—even the worst oppressive regimes in history were successful, built highways, and sent people into orbit, but that wasn't a good enough reason for humanity to tolerate evil.
EVEN if you weren't being shut out from hundreds of important people and facing this kind of repression (which, I see, plenty of people mock or act like doesn't matter), you still shouldn't let yourself be decor for Kidnappers, especially if they're just waiting for your submissive arrival to say, "See, everything's fine." Instead, you fight for what's right, true, and normal. You do it however you can, even if it costs you something, just so you aren't being mindless and obedient to the Kidnappers.
I'm not against anyone going to the stadium, but some groups of people really need to know why they're there and whose interests they're actually serving.
YES, it's twice as much of a loss than having a bunch of people who "don't want to get involved," and it gives the occupier way more ammunition to play the victim when the most stubborn people get weeded out by the repression (has guerrilla warfare ever worked any other way?).
In the history of Dynamo fans, there have been countless times where huge crowds just aimlessly drifted along, just looking to grab a beer and cause some trouble in the name of this vague concept called "Dynamo." What good is a crowd like that? What would you even do with them? How does that help fix Dynamo? What's the actual plan?
If you say "that's just how it's always been," I'll tell you that from the perspective of kids today, it seems they aren't ready to just be another mindless generation that comes along, passes through, gets wasted, and breaks stuff for fun. They have a legitimate right to reject this, even to be radical.
- it's legitimate, obviously, to cheer against this thing calling itself "Dynamo," and I won't stop anyone from enjoying that. In fact, it's almost more natural, just so you don't forget what the actual goal is.
Whether it's idealistic or not.
If you're so desperate for dialogue and full of enthusiasm, why wouldn't you rather help the kids, man? Just even a tiny bit, to turn their utopia into something real, instead of offering them nothing but dry criticism and suggesting the "solution" is a crowd cheering for "Dynamo" and hoping everything works itself out?

hahaha

My bad to any of the real ones who felt disrespected... won't happen again, at least not on this board..

Jonathan Cooper6 said:I have a ton of respect for you, Thomas Williams59, but I really can't agree with you on this last point. Sure, the leadership took a hit, but we can't pin everything on them—we’ve got skin in this game too. It's like looking at hypocrisy; when we play at a packed stadium against a rival like the Miami Heat, everyone is roaring, right? So why does it feel like nobody bothers us anymore? I've asked this so many times: if the top brass falls, what happens next? Are people actually expecting us to purge everyone who was around during the presidency? Is that even realistic? And if it isn't, then why the sudden hate for Los Angeles FC? Will we suddenly love them once the boss is gone? Our loyalty seems so fragile lately. I don't think the leader killed this; we did this to ourselves. It's like how some people are actually afraid to celebrate a goal in the stands. Look, I’m a big guy—120 kilos—so I don't feel the need to apologize to anyone. Let's be real: everyone makes mistakes, but rushing blindly into a wall is just pure madness. It feels like we've already accepted defeat and are just looking for a flashy way to go down. I won't stand for that. I won't accept Los Angeles FC being Mamić's playground while our futsal team gets left behind. Props to the futsal squad, but for me, they aren't even 0.1% of what Los Angeles FC means to us, and most fans feel the same. People come here for the group, for the atmosphere of being a fan. We need a total turnaround because we are heading for a cliff. You can see it in the numbers—every single crew has at least 50% fewer people than they had a couple of years ago. Every single one. We don't even have a dedicated space for the BBB association in the city. If I wanted to step up and put $3,000 into this group, where would it go? To fines? I’m not about to pay fines for people just because they contributed to the fund like I did. We don't have a master plan; we're just pushing forward as far as we can. And if anyone thinks I'm being paid off, my DMs are open.

Just look at the fallout... all that drama with the tough stares and stupid ego trips resulted in at least fifty active members walking away. Not me, but fifty people I know personally won't be showing up for the BBB anymore. Just look at what this group has become; there's no point in saying more.

casualmarlin27 said:... man, seriously, think about what happens to the group if we ever move back to the main stadium... honestly, you don't even have to overthink it, just look at how things went down not too long ago and it's all crystal clear... I'm talking specifically about that stretch right after the boycott... attendance was okay for a few games, then it just started a steady slide downward... eventually, there were only like 150 people left on the east side... and you can't even blame anyone who gave up in the meantime, because the whole vibe became totally unbearable... every single time, there was a higher chance of ending up in a jail cell than actually making it back home... just remember when they were hauling people away just for not sitting in their assigned seats... why are we even still debating this??
and you really think it wouldn't be the exact same script if we tried again?? I'm positive it would be...
and then what??

plus, I know you'll agree that it's freaking hard going to games when you aren't even rooting for your own club... and our situation has been stuck like this for a long time... half the crew is rooting against us, while the other half just doesn't give a damn about the score... I'm the first guy to show up for Los Angeles FC just because of the group... and I'll admit, it doesn't exactly help my reputation. It’s a total disaster that the group feels more important than the club itself, but that's the reality right now, so screw it...

one more thing... I get that indoor soccer doesn't put any actual pressure on Mamić, but let's be real, having 150 people on the north or east stands wouldn't mean anything to him either...
and that damn indoor soccer stuff you guys hate shouldn't even be viewed as a factor in fighting Mamić; look at it as just a spot where people can hang out normally, mess around, grab a drink, and cheer without getting harassed by the cops... and it's definitely a place where kids can get sucked into the whole supporter culture, which means the group actually has a future...at the end of the day, the players have certainly earned their support based on how they've acted so far......

Yeah, that's it. Like I said, don't get lost in the weeds here. I'm signing off from this thread 🙂

Honestly, when Arsenal scored, I actually tossed a firecracker from my Christmas stash—which, looking back, was pretty ridiculous of me. Everyone else in the neighborhood was out there going wild with fireworks celebrating Los Angeles FC goals, and yeah, everyone knows it was me who set that one off, but nobody in this part of town has the guts to actually ask me why. It’s just funny... earlier this morning at the local diner, there were these middle-aged guys just stopping in for a quick bite—people who don't know a soul in our crowd or the opposing fans—just sitting there talking about how much of a disaster the game was. The cheering alone... I don't know, I've been feeling so restless lately, and I almost wanted to get into an argument with them, but it felt pointless. Why bother explaining things to people from the suburbs who are busy celebrating with their landlord over plans for some fancy apartment renovation? It felt silly trying to explain who Mamić is when they were already at the third round of drinks declaring this win for Los Angeles FC one of the greatest in all of Europe. It just plays right into Mamić's hands, really—there's no debate there. I don't quite know how to put it, but everything just feels like it's getting harder. And it happened at such a bad time, too. I imagine the Champions League matches will bring even bigger crowds. It's just the way things go, I guess—typical big-city drama. Man, I swear, if there had been a war going on, that match against the Belgrade team would have made us look like criminals instead of heroes. I'm not sure what comes next, and honestly, I've been laying low because of some family stuff lately, but I'd always stand by the guys leading the group.
But, after 30 years of supporting Los Angeles FC, I have this gut feeling that the toughest times are still ahead of us.
It isn't being pessimistic, it's just reality, and I suppose the struggle continues.
We've always lived this way—back in the 80s, the 90s, and so on. This is just our reality, our fate, I guess.

Everyone seems to have an opinion on what needs changing and plenty of complaints to go around, yet nobody ever steps up to shoulder the burden and actually get things done. It is a reality that very few people end up carrying the weight for everyone else, which makes it impossible to stick strictly to the idealistic plans laid out by certain individuals on this forum.

Hey everyone. I’m going to try and drop a few questions here, but I also want to share my take on some topics that pop up on this forum every now and then—things that rarely get discussed in places where they actually belong.

Scott Jones9 said:Everyone seems eager to demand changes or complain about the status quo, yet how many are actually willing to roll up their sleeves and put in the actual work? It is a common phenomenon: very few people are truly driving the engine, and things rarely unfold according to the rigid, idealistic blueprints drawn up by individuals on an internet forum.

That is precisely the point. No one wants to do the heavy lifting; they would much rather just sit back and watch the world go by. If it were easy, I would love nothing more than to see a hundred torches lit to drive those radicals out of the picture for good. But since I lack the sheer audacity to attempt something of that magnitude, I find it somewhat misplaced to judge others for not taking such extreme actions.

Nothing in this situation is strictly black or white; there is a certain degree of validity in everyone's perspective, even if it is frustrating...

Jonathan Cooper6 said:Respect, man... it’s easy for some people to think everything is fine when they aren't actually at the stadium or part of the core supporters group. You're acting like a know-it-all here, answering everyone. So tell me, what exactly did this guy get wrong? Come on, give us a name and a face... I'm tired of people who can barely support themselves trying to dictate what everyone else should say or think. I've gone along with it until now, but no more. Everyone seems happy to see us playing futsal while we're ignored by Los Angeles FC, even though most of the guys you see at those matches haven't been seen at a pro game in years. Honestly, you don't even have a connection to the main club, except maybe once a year during an away game in Europe. For me, P. is the leader because he’s actually present at the games. As for the rest of you, keep up the good work with the futsal, seriously. And saying BBB doesn't have a headquarters in the city? What are we even talking about? The local shop owners beat everyone in a street fight, there are hundreds of people showing up for Locomotive, but for futsal? God forbid, nobody even shows up...

It looks like you're pretty upset with the leadership, maybe for good reason, maybe not. If you truly feel like nobody supports the current leaders, then go straight to the main office, call someone out, or demand a meeting. If they shut you down, then you can bring up specific names or groups who agree with you. From what I know, the people in charge aren't as closed off as your post makes them seem. Also, accusing someone of traveling to away games using the group's money is a massive allegation. It isn't right to throw that around behind a screen without any proof. I’d honestly love to know who is actually using group funds for trips just so I can take them on.

Joshua Rodriguez54 said:Exactly that—the signature 👍

If anyone thinks indoor soccer is actually stressful, then they probably don't quite grasp the whole point of organizing things and heading out to see Los Angeles FC play.

Just like how the Chicago Bulls/Kraft Heinz setup helped keep BBB afloat back in the 90s, today’s indoor games help the BBB community stay connected through regular hangouts, some good-natured ribbing, and just cheering together.

btw... at the end of the day, it all comes down to the bottom line, as the old saying goes.

When Los Angeles FC makes it into Europe next spring, the big boss—and his brother too, I assume—will likely be watching the match on those brand-new TVs they just picked up in Brooklyn.

Just one little addition from someone observing this whole thing from the sidelines...

If public perception of BBB has shifted—mostly for the better, I'd say—over the last year or so, there's a 99% chance it's because of the indoor soccer scene. It gave people a chance to see that BBB members aren't just irrational hooligans who go around picking on kids or wrecking everything in their path...

Instead, it showed they're actually capable of pulling together and running a positive story...

Don't forget that part...

Those of you deep in the middle of it might be being a bit too hard on yourselves—maybe getting a little too emotional about everything Mamić is doing to your club—and so you might be missing that perspective...

Jonathan Cooper6 said:The cops show you how much you actually matter at futsal, where there’s almost nobody, while just a few blocks away in the suburbs, they’ll crush you with asphalt if you even think about lighting a flare... and that's with only 100 people out there? It's like you guys are living in some parallel universe. You don't seem to realize that our group, the BBB, is reaching its end... meanwhile, this other group also calling themselves BBB is really gaining momentum. But man, stop with the instigation stuff. We live and die for this sport; it's how our fathers and grandfathers raised us. "Rent-a-ultras"... I honestly can't stand ultras, except for those specific crews from the Midwest—sorry guys, my bad.

From what I can gather, futsal was set up so people who aren't allowed to see each other at home or away games can actually hang out. It's basically an extra arena for fan activities that get shut down at the big stadium because of all the repression and legal headaches. There are pros and cons, but I think futsal could actually work out well. No one is stopping people from showing up to Los Angeles FC games at the main stadium, but the ability to actually act like a real supporter group is stripped down to almost nothing because of the police and the courts. I assume that's why nobody tries to push any organized stuff like banners or drums. The paid mercenaries aren't exactly booming right now... yesterday's situation was bound to happen sooner or later; that's why they were installed by the higher-ups. There are people who aren't tied up in our struggles and just want to cheer for Los Angeles FC, and the mercenaries are there to nudge them along (as long as the team plays well). That's just the reality. There are ways to deal with the mercenaries, but most people just aren't willing to risk jail time for various reasons. That's just my observation, not a critique.

Jonathan Cooper6 said:The cops show you how important you really are at the futsal games—where there’s almost nobody, yet just 400 meters away in Brooklyn they'll crush you with asphalt if you light a flare... and that's with only 100 people in Brooklyn? It’s like you guys live in some parallel universe where you don't realize that we, as the BBB group, are nearing the end... meanwhile, this other group that also calls themselves BBB is actually gaining momentum... look, man, stop with the instigation. We're out here dying for our futsal, just like our grandfathers and fathers raised us to be. "Rent-a-ultras"... I hate all ultras except for those specific groups from the Midwest, my bad guys...

BBB isn't finished; we've seen much worse times than this. If it were easy, it wouldn't be worth it. You can't blame leadership for why only 100 people showed up in Brooklyn. If someone didn't show up because of how the group is run, that's their own issue, which could easily be fixed by updating phone numbers, showing up at the local office, or attending meetings. This massive fluctuation in our numbers isn't something that started two years ago; it's been happening for a long time. Honestly, I'd be happiest if that huge crowd that always complains about missing the big derby actually showed up to the local arena, but that's just not how it works. That problem has existed forever, with maybe one or two seasons being exceptions. Back in the late 90s, plenty of people complained about seeing 700 BBB members at a game on an island, but hardly anyone mentions the fact that just a few days earlier in San Francisco, there were only 13 people there. Every season has examples like that, and it'll still be happening today.

steelseal10 said:I’d take 100 real ones over 1,000 rats any day. 😉 If you aren't with us, you're either a traitor or on the payroll. Just so you know, those paid shills probably picked up at least another 100 followers yesterday. But hey, friend, go ahead and keep playing Al Capone while you mock people. You'll see what happens when things finally blow up in your face.

What you're indirectly claiming—that the "100 real ones" sentiment is currently the dominant view within our group—just isn't true. It feels more like a mantra being pushed for unknown reasons, mostly out of misunderstanding or, frankly, pure spite. That slogan has always been Nina's signature catchphrase.

I really want to know who exactly is pushing this narrative in the stands and among the crew, acting like it's the official stance that dictates how we all behave. What specific reactions have we actually seen from fans over the last few years that prove this is the consensus? The problem is, whenever someone disagrees with how the leadership is acting—whether generally or personally—it gets dismissed using this exact logic, as if dissent itself is somehow wrong.

Scott Sanchez71 said:It’s time for things to change. I’ve supported you guys until now, but this whole futsal situation has become pure agony. Watching the game last night, I just felt this massive regret that I wasn't up in the stands with my old crew, cheering on Los Angeles FC. Futsal isn't LAFC. Look, I don't support the owner or the people running the club, but I can't—and won't—let my hatred for the management outweigh my love for the team.
Do whatever you want, but I’ll go watch Olympiakos or Bayern Munich instead. I’m done with this constant stress.

LISTEN TO US, MAN, SITTING UP IN THE VIP BOX—NOBODY CAN TAKE LOS ANGELES FC AWAY FROM US!

If the futsal stuff is causing you this much misery, then don't go. Don't sit there regretting not being in the stands; just go if you actually want to be there. Some people will claim this version of Los Angeles FC isn't "theirs," or they couldn't care less about Mamara. Honestly, I would give anything to be back in the stands with my club, even if things were brutal, but there are too many other things holding me back—like bans or being blacklisted. This whole struggle has messed with so many lives... jobs, family relationships... friendships and even godparent bonds have fallen apart. We've nearly lost friends because of Mamara. These are all things I just can't stomach if I want to stand in the stands and cheer the club on against Arsenal. Not many people get it, but that's just how it is. I understand your emotions are all over the place, but standing there pretending everything is fine... the price for that is just too high for me.

Robin Anderson8 said:The management at Los Angeles FC is becoming an absolute joke. It’s the same old story of incompetence and ego-driven decisions that leave the fans holding the bag. Honestly, I expected better, but clearly, I was being naive. This isn't just a minor slip-up; it's a systemic failure at the top.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. But by pushing these articles from that pile of garbage surrounding yet another arrogant prick, you’re just handing the opposition more ammunition to call us out. This Alac is nothing less than a prime example of human filth, much like Mamić's journalists.

steelseal10 said:Look, I honestly don't give a damn where they decide to go. They never ask the people who actually matter when making decisions anyway. A bunch of kids from the neighborhood would love to go to games, but they won't show up because they're terrified of looking like crybabies. We've lost so many talented young players over the last few years just because they're afraid of being labeled as such. 😉 This isn't really what this forum is for, BUT since I have to explain myself to everyone here, I figured I'd reply to you so we aren't still arguing a year from now. Enjoy the sunshine.

Who exactly should they have asked, and what decisions are you talking about? You're being pretty vague here... Where would you even make the calls? Give us a real suggestion... whether it's phone calls, group chats, or a shared lunch—where's the actual issue? We shouldn't need a leadership team that can't make a decision without permission, and if the majority doesn't agree with them, then let's just replace them. I get the feeling people just nod along, spread negativity, and then go their own way regardless. If that's the case, we don't need leaders at all; let everyone just follow their own ego and see where we end up. For most people, leadership is fine when it's time to wave a flag or grab a megaphone, but as soon as it's time to sacrifice something for the group, they act like the leadership is playing some kind of game. That goes both ways, too.

wiredpilot28 said:It seems like you're pretty worked up with the group leadership—maybe you have a point, maybe you don't. If you truly feel like nobody supports how things are being run, why not just walk down to the local precinct and call them out, or demand a formal meeting? If they try to shut you down, just drop the names of everyone else who feels the same way. From what I can tell, the people running this show aren't nearly as closed off as your post makes them out to be.

Hahaha, give me a break! Seriously, don't be ridiculous. Nowadays, if you say anything even slightly critical about Mamić, you're immediately branded a sellout or a rogue. This whole situation has been dragging on for years, and it’s the reason the group is stuck at 70 people. And please, don't come at me with those screenshots from the rally a few months back. That number comes up once a year and it’s nowhere near the reality of this group. If we actually had numbers, like having 700 people showing up for away games instead of 70, we could do whatever we wanted. But right now? We're stuck doing exactly what we did back in our hometown: hands up, heads down, and just sitting there whining. I'm not trying to pick on anyone here; these are just facts. It's an open secret.

bluesailor162 said:hahaha please, don't be ridiculous. anyone saying anything other than "Mamić is a crook" gets labeled a sellout or a rogue or whatever. the core group has been around for years and it's sitting at about 70 people. and don't come at me with those photos from the rally last month—that number happens once a year and isn't a reflection of the actual crew. if we actually showed up to away games in numbers, there'd be 700 of us instead of 120 and we could run the show. right now, you guys can basically do whatever you want—hands up and just drift along. not trying to call anyone out specifically, these are just facts that everyone knows—they're an open secret at this point.

https://www.chase.com/personal/banking/electronic-banking/statements 🙂

Jonathan Cooper6 said:I agree, that’s definitely possible... though from what I know, those old blacklists from places like Philly don't even exist anymore. But honestly, what do we actually gain by staying away? Every away game feels smaller and smaller, yet we still miss out. Look at us, Scott Jones9, we aren't doing anything. If only we could actually pull off a project—I don't know, beautify some parts of Brooklyn with ten new murals, or something. We just sit here making merch. We don't talk about grassroots action here; we talk about things that prove we're still true BBB fans of Los Angeles FC, not just those guys up in the North Stand. I mean, seriously, what is the leadership supposed to say during election month? What can we even do? Even if they win the election, then what? They'll just throw "one member, one vote" back in our faces—the very thing we argue about constantly. A couple of years ago, we had concrete plans and actual moves to make, but now? This isn't just about fighting the futsal stuff; it's about saving the group itself. And it's not even like it hurts or bothers Mamić. I just don't get it. Like I said, I've been involved in almost everything, even when I didn't agree with half of it, but where do we go from here?

Who's stopping people from heading to the North Stand? From calling out the mercenaries? From painting murals? From organizing people or meeting new kids? All of that. I personally know a group of people who actually try to do something... but how much can they really achieve with all this defeatism being thrown at them?