ULTRAS MLS

Facists Invade Poland!

2008-03-28T09:16:00.006-06:00

Ok, so we're not really fascists...but we sure looked like them on the field! Of course I'm talking about Nike's new USA kits. Dark Grey with hints of red...they remind me of the famous (army) uniforms of the Third Reich of Germany. Its not that I don't like them, but I just don't see "USA! USA! USA! when I look at them. Fine for a club side. But I'll take a nice red white and blue combination please, Nike.

And to debut that new look against European whipping boy Poland was just too much for me to ignore. After the blitzkrieg-like ass wooping we put on them, I have to wonder if any of Polands WWII vets where having flashbacks!

Be Champions

2008-02-25T18:21:00.002-06:00

This is hilarious satire from Setanta. Remember...Be champions!

USA vs. Mexico

2007-10-26T10:03:00.000-06:00

I read THIS article today and it got me thinking...Will soccer divide our two nations, as the trend currently suggests, or will it unite us?

There has been much discussion lately about the possible rise of hooliganism in the USA, and while I can easily see groups of kids getting together to imitate what they've seen on YouTube, I doubt we will see true hooligans here. Will there be some parking lot fights between Chivas and Galaxy fans? Yup. When NYC has two teams? No doubt! Will the media make a HUGE deal out of it? Absolutely!

Thing is, people like to fight, sometimes they just need a good reason. Mix that human trait with the passion of football and tempers will boil over. As a participant in many fraternity brawls, I can tell you for a fact that its also a ton of fun and a unifying event.

Back on topic. As the US and Mexico become more blended together, and as our countries become more powerful footballing nations, I think we will begin to see more respect for each other, and less hatred. After all, with a massive generation of Mexican immigrants comes a massive amount of future Mexican-American national team candidates. Our styles of play will meld together.

This doesn't mean we'll be nice to each other's teams, just not as hateful?

Comments?

Shut. Up.

2007-08-28T09:31:00.000-06:00

I'm watching the videos for Sierra Mist Goal Of The Week today, (my vote is for Altidore) and I'm noticing again how often the announcers are yammering on about some sort of nonsensical, barely related to soccer subject while one of the teams is driving towards the goal (see Moreno's and Altidore's goal). I don't care if these guys have been coached to not have any "dead air", their opinions aren't so important that they should keep talking while goal scoring opportunities are happening on the field. Now that the English league is underway again, this just makes our announcers seem even more pathetic.

Read This::: MLS Atmosphere?

2007-08-10T09:05:00.000-06:00

If you follow Major League Soccer at all (and you should), you know that while there are many wonderful supporter groups in MLS, many clubs simply don't compare. Home games for DC, Toronto, Houston, RSL, New England and Chicago are loud and exciting. They give us a wonderful view of the future of the sport in this country, and how unique our soccer fans are. However, games for Dallas, NYRB, Columbus, and Colorado are typically poorly attended and quiet affairs. Somewhere in-between fall KC, Chivas, and (Pre-Beckham) LA, who are looking like they will eventually catch up to the best supported clubs.

The reasons for this have been discussed at length in many different forums, but just to name a few: massive NFL stadia, lack of marketing, amd suburban stadiums that cater to soccer moms and not to the true fans.

Here is a wonderful article on 3rddegree.net by Jason Benfield that compares and contrasts the atmosphere of Chicago Fire's Toyota Park to FC Dallas's Pizza Hut Park.

Monty Python Football

2007-08-07T10:04:00.001-06:00

To blog or not to blog. That is the question...

Read This

2007-06-08T13:24:00.000-06:00

Found a great article about MLS fandom on the Guardian, of all places. (the Guardian is a UK newspaper, FYI) Not only is it well written and informed, but the conversation afterword offers up some interesting points of view, along with a few narrow-minded Englishmen's comments to help stir the pot.

So check out Mr. Steven Wells' fine piece of informed, objective wordsmithing:

US soccer punks 1, McFans 0

"Independent, witty, irreverent fan culture is triumphing over Major League Soccer's preprogrammed Disneyfied McFan experience."

Amazing

2007-06-07T12:39:00.001-06:00

Use your imagination with me for a second, and pretend like this is Crew Stadium instead of Sweden (yes Sweden, were they make furniture)! Gives me goosebumps thinking about it.

I know people think English fans are the best, but its just not true. Look around on youTube and you'll see some amazing displays from around the world!

Try searching for these key works on youTube: tifo and of course, ultra; and these clubs: Ajax, AIK, Rapid Vienna, Galatasaray, Dynamo, Besiktas etc...

I Thought Goats Ate Everything

2007-06-06T10:11:00.000-06:00

A few posts ago, I expressed my concern over Chivas USA's empty stadium. Allow me to quote myself,

"...that sort of vacuous atmosphere is typically reserved for the monstrosities of the Meadowlands and Arrowhead! Not a SSS."

Well, I found this article by Mr. Luis Bueno over at LASoccernews.com that makes a valiant attempt to explain just what's going on in LA. He's got lots of other great articles, too. And his last name means "good", so you know it has to be bueno!

Makelele to MLS?

2007-06-05T11:56:00.000-06:00

The "Beckham Effect" is in full swing as the transfer window opens up this summer. It seems like every 30+ year old who is soon to be out of contract is stating their desire to move to MLS. The latest superstar player to name drop MLS as a future destination is none other than Chelsea's Claude Makelele. Read all about it on FSC.

Let the speculation begin on where he would go. I don't know off the top of my head which clubs have DP spots available, but I'll go ahead and start the rumor that Dallas, KC and Colorado are fighting over his rights!

I honestly think this move is at least a year away. It's probably just posturing to make sure he gets a good contract to stay at Chelsea, but fun to think about, none the less!

2007-06-04T10:33:00.000-06:00

Haven't written anything in a few days, as I've been playing catch up reading all the cool stuff on Jessica Canizale's blog, Sideline Views. Tons of good info about the US team as it prepares for the Copa d'Oro, plus LA Galaxy and Chivas blurbs.

Platini v G-14 (18)

2007-05-30T09:25:00.000-06:00

"I call officially on the major and important clubs in European football to disband their elitist grouping, to withdraw the various lawsuits that they have brought before the courts..."

Seems that Msr. Platini is working hard to keep football from eating itself in Europe, where those evil greedy G-14 (actually 18) clubs are messing things up for everyone. Should be interesting to watch Platini do what he can to help the sport. It was just a few months ago that he was lobbying for Champion's League reform to help out the smaller leagues.

And who said the French were lazy? Look out Blatter, Platini's building up equity to take your job! Michel Platini, you're my Ultra of the Day!

ESPN for full story.

Deez nuts!

2007-05-29T22:39:00.001-06:00

Ah...brings back memories of when I hit the post by deflecting a clearance off my "area". Let's just say I didn't finish the game...

MLS Saturday on FSC: Dallas v Chivas

2007-05-29T16:55:00.000-06:00

Maykel Galindo is a terror to defenses!

A really good game with some of the best midfield play I've seen in MLS since DC decided to implode. Toja and Ricchetti look to be the best pair of new players to MLS so far this season. Great additions to the league that FSC announcer Christopher Sullivan couldn't get enough of. What a goal by Maykel Galindo btw...goal of the week in my book.

(ps...what's up with the Chivas crowds? I thought the Mexicans where supposed to flock to this team. I guess they're Mexicants instead. I mean, that sort of vacuous atmosphere is typically reserved for the monstrosities of the Meadowlands and Arrowhead! Not a SSS. Check out this nice article over at Who Ate All the Cupcakes that pretty much reflects my thoughts...which is good, so my lazy ass doesn't have to write my own!)

I had to laugh and Sullivan's counterpart in the booth however. This guy kept trying to talk about Beckham, and Sulli would just walk right over him with his great commentary on the match. People complain about MLS announcers trying to "sell the game", but they don't do that on FSC.

Wednesday Night's Hidden Int'l Friendlies

2007-05-24T09:40:00.000-06:00

Santino takes one in the nuts.

In case you missed it, Toronto FC played Benfica to a 0-0 draw. Not a bad result considering Toronto is a newb, and Benfica is in full season form. 18,000+ fans at the match, which is most likely accurate, considering the huge crowds Toronto has had this season.

Also, MLS's very own "Galacticos", the WORLD FAMOUS L.A. Galaxy, (thanks to Beckham, they actually kind-of are) lost to the Protestants from Glasgow Scotland, 1 to zip. No figures on attendance (which would probably be inflated anyways), but still a good result for LA's B team. I guess Ranger's couldn't let Celtic be the only Scottish team to play in the US?

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

2007-05-23T08:51:00.000-06:00

ULTRAS MLS is primarily a site about supporting football in our country/continent, but that doesn't mean we ignore the Great Leagues! Unless you've been living in a hole, you should know that the "Superbowl of Soccer" is on ESPN today. That's right, Liverpool vs. AC Milan. Kaka vs. Gerrard. Pubs around this land of opportunity will be serving beers. MLS clubs will be inviting fans to watch the match in their clubhouses.

The rest of us will be at work. But there is hope! Download the Sopcast application for windows, and tune into the game, free of charge. Find channel 6029. Star Sports, and get ready to disturb your cube-mates. Bonus: its an English language channel.

Also, check out this great article by Brian Dohn of the LA Daily News. He gets my ULTRA of the Day award.

MLS YouTube debate.

2007-05-22T16:54:00.001-06:00

BrandynKBerry refutes harmonmsp's moronic, thirteen minute long monologue about how "MLS won't make it, ever." Brandyn gets an ULTRAS1996 seal of approval. harmonmsp...you're and asshole.

First, check out this wanker who doesn't think MLS will ever succeed. He has some really "original thoughts" on the matter that deserve to be thrown right in the garbage along with all the other nay-sayers who refuse to see how strong the sport is getting in good ole North America. Be warned: its THIRTEEN minutes long, and will cause your brain to go numb. What a dork.

Then, check out my ULTRA of the month (the first one ever!) BrandynKBerry. His great video rebuttal puts that retard in his place, showing what true believers know in their corazons! Brandyn is obviously a FC Toronto fan, and no doubt relishing the atmosphere that our Canadian brothers to the north are generating at every home game.

Join the Ultras movement.

2007-05-20T20:44:00.000-06:00

If you're American (or Canadian now), and you love the beautiful game of football, but you don't watch MLS...you're an asshole.

I'm starting this blog to get some true fans of our MLS! I hope to show the supporters groups around the league some love, and to become a resource to others to help inspire the fans to do more.

ULTRAS, where art, football and passion come together!