Supporter Groups

This is part one of what will hopefully be an ongoing feature. I recently emailed at least one Supporter's Group from every single team...some teams I emailed a couple of groups. These were the first groups to reply with a few others planning on doing so. I have asked each group seven questions to help get a feel for their goal as team followers. This first installment could be considered an expansion special with RSL, San Jose, and Seattle being represented. I hope you enjoy...

The Rogue Cavaliers Brigade

1. Describe the Rogue Cavaliers Brigade...What do you guys offer to your team and fellow fans?
I think soccer is much more of a cultural experience than any other sporting event in the US. Singing in a stadium has some similarities to singing in an pub, but on a much larger scale. In a soccer stadium, a crowd is a living organism...the ebb and flow of the game spawns rivulets and torrents of passion. Supporters groups are the vortex, the pulse of the stadium. When RSL is down, we try to rally behind them and pick them up. When the other team has rhythm, we try to take them out of it. We offer our fellow fans an environment less restricted than the everyday experience. It's a party, a celebration of sport and RSL. Bring your own passion for the game.

2. How is the Rogue Cavaliers Brigade ran? How was it first organized?
The RCB is a democratic organization. It is run by an elected president and board. The RCB began as a group of hardcore RSL fans who felt culturally, artistically, and organizationally unrepresented in the stadium atmosphere that existed. So we set out to create a supporters culture with a different appeal.

3. What is the number one achievement of the Rogue Cavaliers Brigade? What is your best memory as a member of the Rogue Cavaliers Brigade?
There are so many great nights I've spent at the stadium it's difficult to choose a favorite moment. Andy jumping into the stands was outstanding, singing "Donavan, you wish you were like Beckham" was hilarious, representing at Chivas when DJ made those 3 brilliant saves was great, but the best has got to be the RMC in 2007. As the Cup committee was walking the cup towards the player benches, all draped in smurf and burgandy, Colorado's supporters were singing "where's your famous RCB?" That was the moment Findley scored the winner. I never got an opportunity to thank Robbie for the timeliness of that goal. The karmic retribution of that moment can't be adequately described...you simply had to be there to experience it, but I doubt that one will ever fade.

4. What makes the Rogue Cavaliers Brigade unique from all other Supporter Groups?
A supporters group is made unique by the people who make up the group. We are a great balance between group action and individual expression. The members of the group are such great people individually. Every game they bring incredible passion and creativity to the pitch. We understand that the team and it's legacy are ours. The team belongs to the fans more than it does to any player, any coach, even to Checketts. While that may not be legally accurate, RSL and it's place in this community need to be seen on a longer timeline. We will still be supporting RSL when all of these players are retired.

5. What could you guys do to improve?
I think the foremost task for any supporters group is to grow, to bring more people to the party. It's important that we grow in a controlled and cohesive way so that we can maintain the spirit and ideals that inspired the Brigade in the first place.

6. What do the Rogue Cavaliers Brigade have planned for the 2008 season?
I could tell you that, but won't it be much more fun as a surprise? Obviously, we're all looking forward to an established supporters section in the new stadium and all of the potential that that brings with it. I expect this to be a momentous season for RSL, there is definitely a make or break feel to the season's onset. Lagerway has done a great job in giving Kreis the tools he needs to compete in the league. The club does not have the taint of an expansion franchise in the players on the roster.

7. Anything else you want people to know? How can people join?
You can join the RCB online at www.cavaliersbrigade.com. You are all welcome to come meet the RCB at our first tailgate prior to RSL's first home game. I have heard rumors of a large combined tailgate for the first game, but our tailgate is always in the south lot of RES. And of course you are welcome to come sing with us in the stadium. We STAND in E38 at Rice Eccles. We stand and sing ALL GAME LONG. Bring your passion and bring your voice

I am a Cavalier, have been all my life
I've stood behind Real through victory and strife.
I go to Rice Eccles(for the moment) to cheer on my team
I bang on my cowbell, play drum and I SCREAM

Re-al Salt Lake, Real never dismay!
For the Rogue Cavaliers stand behind you today!

Emerald City Supporters

1. Describe Emerald City Supporters...What do you guys offer to your team and fellow fans?
Emerald City Supporters are a group of independent supporters of top level soccer in Seattle. In the coming 2008 season that means supporting the Seattle Sounders who play in USL Division 1. Our aim is to support our team and to create a good atmosphere in the stadium.

2. How is Emerald City Supporters ran? How was it first organized?
The first group (The Pod) kind of came into being with a bunch of guys standing around together and yelling/chanting. After a few years of the Pod, there was some dissatisfaction with the name, so a bunch of us met down at Starfire before a preseason game in '04 or '05 (I think '05), and had a meeting and voted to change the name to Emerald City Supporters. There are a few guys that act as leaders in getting things organized.

3. What is the number one achievement of Emerald City Supporters? What is your best memory as a member of Emerald City Supporters?
We've had rapid growth in the past few years because of recruiting efforts. We expect to grow exponentially in the coming years.That and tons of beer consumed!

Best memory was last years pitch invasion at the USL-1 Final last year.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x34vbr_championshiphighlights_sport

4. What makes Emerald City Supporters unique from all other Supporter Groups?
We are in a unique position in the Northwest so that we have rivalry's to the North and South. (Vancouver, Portland)

5. What could you guys do to improve?
Grow more and become more organized.

6. What does Emerald City Supporters have planned for the 2008 season?
We plan on supporting the Seattle Sounders in their last year in the USL and having a great time!
7. Anything else you want people to know? How can people join?
Want to join the ECS? Easy. During the season just show up in our section (currently 113 at Qwest Field) or pre-game beers and festivities at Fuel (located at 164 S Washington St just three blocks north from Qwest Field). During the off-season, sign up on our discussion forum and attend one of the off-season events that will be announced there.

http://www.weareecs.com/

1906 Ultras

1. Describe the 1906 Ultras...What do you guys offer to your team and fellow fans?
We want to bring the European supporters passion to the MLS game. We will give the team 90 minutes no matter what the score is. We will be loud and sing and chant and jump from whistle to whistle.

2. How is the 1906 Ultras ran? How was it first organized?
The 1906 Ultras are the result of the combination of two different supporters groups, the San Jose Ultras, long time Earthquakes supporters and the 1906 a group based out of San Francisco that supported the now defunct California Victory of the USL first division. While the Quakes we not officially back and the Victory were still playing a group of the Ultras joined us for a match in San Francisco last season. We quickly realized that we had the same mentality about the game and with the Quakes return merged the groups.

3. What is the number one achievement of the 1906 Ultras? What is your best memory as a member of your Supporter Group?
We have not been an official group that long but so far our first effort as a group was memorable. The Earthquakes played the Dynamo at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco. We were about 50 or 60 strong and we were pretty wee organized for our first time out. It was awesome.

4. What makes the 1906 Ultras unique from all other Supporter Groups?
We are not politically correct, we have a very European feel to our group and the way we chant and move during the games. As far as Earthquakes groups we are the one with the rough edge that will raise a few eyebrows.

5. What could you guys do to improve?
More members, we are in our first few months of existence and we have about 60 paid members by end of year one our goal is 200.

6. What does the 1906 Ultras have planned for the 2008 season?
To support our expansion team as if the are cup winners because to us they are. Come to Buck Shaw stadium and see for yourself. We will welcome anyone.

7. Anything else you want people to know? How can people join?
Yeah if you are an Earthquakes supporter and are looking a for a group that will give it all we have for 90 minutes come join us, realize we are not for everyone some of our chants have an edge to them. Come to www.sjultras.com and check us out.