North American Pro Soccer 2014

[Gothamite]

Urbanites?

I agree, though, that there's no call to ban supporters groups. They can be a great force for good, organizing a fanbase and raising money for charity. But anybody who thinks the "ultras" image is in any way cool shouldn't be allowed to run one.

[Jer15]

Urbanites?

I agree, though, that there's no call to ban supporters groups. They can be a great force for good, organizing a fanbase and raising money for charity. But anybody who thinks the "ultras" image is in any way cool shouldn't be allowed to run one.

This is exactly it.

Violence, breaking stadium rules just to be "cool" or "anti-authority" and, excessive swearing is not necessary to support a team (and trust me, I do not care if people swear).

Banners, flags, singing, supporting the growth of the game and, giving back to your community are ways to support.

[Gothamite]

And that's exactly where I'd draw the line between supporters and ultras.

[VictoriaGooner]

Urbanites?

I agree, though, that there's no call to ban supporters groups. They can be a great force for good, organizing a fanbase and raising money for charity. But anybody who thinks the "ultras" image is in any way cool shouldn't be allowed to run one.

This is exactly it.

Violence, breaking stadium rules just to be "cool" or "anti-authority" and, excessive swearing is not necessary to support a team (and trust me, I do not care if people swear).

Banners, flags, singing, supporting the growth of the game and, giving back to your community are ways to support.

I agree with you all on the "ultras" stance. Banners, flag waving, singing, chanting, supporting growth of the game and giving back to the community are always a way to support the community. The SG I am part of here in Victoria, we sing wave flags ancd banner and yes sometimes swear during matches but nothing more. Property damage isn't on the agenda sorry.

[VictoriaGooner]

And that's exactly where I'd draw the line between supporters and ultras.

I don't think people in North America understand the whole ultras personna. They see it on TV from Italy, eastern European and South American countries thinking it's acceptable. It isn't by the least. European and South American FAs are clamping down on the ultras in those leagues. But in some instances, the ultras have a real pwoer stranglehold on certain clubs.

[Nyk33]

If they can't police their own groups they should be gone. Tell the urbanites to create their own traditions.

Bad groups should be gone, I agree, we are just saying that not all N. American groups are like that. In fact the violent ones are in the extreme minority.

Gothamite, don't give rams too much :censored: for the urbanite word. I was the one who stated it first because that is what I see in these SGs most of the time (met a lot of people in the 5 Points and a few in the NYCFC SG).

[crashcarson15]

Urbanites?

I agree, though, that there's no call to ban supporters groups. They can be a great force for good, organizing a fanbase and raising money for charity. But anybody who thinks the "ultras" image is in any way cool shouldn't be allowed to run one.

This is exactly it.

Violence, breaking stadium rules just to be "cool" or "anti-authority" and, excessive swearing is not necessary to support a team (and trust me, I do not care if people swear).

Banners, flags, singing, supporting the growth of the game and, giving back to your community are ways to support.

Absolutely.

Hell, the Batallion had 2,000 people last Saturday night. And one of the overwhelming responses I saw on Twitter from other fans?

"Can we get people down here to lead cheers, too?" I'm not convinced that soccer's going to stick long-term in this country without supporters groups that create an atmosphere. It's not a sport engrained in the culture and without the groups, yeah, a lot of people'll think matches are boring.

[raysox]

I've had more fun watching games in Ralph's Mob than I had sitting away from them. With supporters groups, you feel like you're actually a part of the team playing.

[JayMac]

I sat with the Sons of Ben section a few weeks back and it was amazing. It definitely does add a different element to the game. If they got rid of supporters groups, it would create a huge void.

[VictoriaGooner]

Supporter groups is what makes the atmosphere at the matches. Talking to players from Victoria Highlanders FC after matches, they said that hearing the signing, chanting and seeing the flags waving actually boosts their spirits and playing. Plus we have gotten alot of the hockey fans that come to matches (fans that just sit the entire match) standing up and signing with us. It spreads like wildfire...

[Foxxtrot44]

RSL's marketing team having a little fun ahead of Saturday's game

[rams80]

Supporter groups is what makes the atmosphere at the matches. Talking to players from Victoria Highlanders FC after matches, they said that hearing the signing, chanting and seeing the flags waving actually boosts their spirits and playing. Plus we have gotten alot of the hockey fans that come to matches (fans that just sit the entire match) standing up and signing with us. It spreads like wildfire...

But do you need an organized group with a name to create that atmosphere?

[Lee.]

The SG I am part of here in Victoria

[Gothamite]

Supporter groups is what makes the atmosphere at the matches. Talking to players from Victoria Highlanders FC after matches, they said that hearing the signing, chanting and seeing the flags waving actually boosts their spirits and playing. Plus we have gotten alot of the hockey fans that come to matches (fans that just sit the entire match) standing up and signing with us. It spreads like wildfire...

But do you need an organized group with a name to create that atmosphere?

Possibly. A lot of this stuff needs coordination.

I don't think anyone really opposes groups, just those more interested in mayhem than anything else.

[-kj]

Supporter groups is what makes the atmosphere at the matches. Talking to players from Victoria Highlanders FC after matches, they said that hearing the signing, chanting and seeing the flags waving actually boosts their spirits and playing. Plus we have gotten alot of the hockey fans that come to matches (fans that just sit the entire match) standing up and signing with us. It spreads like wildfire...

But do you need an organized group with a name to create that atmosphere?

At a certain point, yes.

[VictoriaGooner]

Supporter groups is what makes the atmosphere at the matches. Talking to players from Victoria Highlanders FC after matches, they said that hearing the signing, chanting and seeing the flags waving actually boosts their spirits and playing. Plus we have gotten alot of the hockey fans that come to matches (fans that just sit the entire match) standing up and signing with us. It spreads like wildfire...

But do you need an organized group with a name to create that atmosphere?

You don't need to be part of a SG to create an atmosphere at a match but when you have an organized group it becomes more coordinated and people take notice.

The SG I am part of here in Victoria

Yes REALLY!

[TrueYankee26]

[VictoriaGooner]

[Kevin W.]

Supporter groups is what makes the atmosphere at the matches. Talking to players from Victoria Highlanders FC after matches, they said that hearing the signing, chanting and seeing the flags waving actually boosts their spirits and playing. Plus we have gotten alot of the hockey fans that come to matches (fans that just sit the entire match) standing up and signing with us. It spreads like wildfire...

But do you need an organized group with a name to create that atmosphere?

How is that any different from a student section at a college football or basketball game? In both cases, most of the individuals involved follow the rules. The few bad apples need to be weeded out but that's no reason to remove the whole bunch.

[crashcarson15]

I mean, hell, there's a SG at Anfield in charge of doing their card stunts and what not when they do.

Anfield.