On the suggestion of a Twitter friend (who just so happens to be an American soccer-appreciating Englishman from Manchester - @shades846), I hipped the GQ UK Twitter account to my reaction to the Sons of Ben piece that has caused so much ruckus.


To their credit, they responded by asking if they could post the reactions on their site. Both my original reaction piece and the post containing Brody's points of contention can now be found alongside the digital version of the original story.

- Jason Davis

There are always two sides to every story, and the recent portrayal of the Sons of Ben in GQ's UK edition is no exception. In the aftermath of my comments on the story, both here and on the American Soccer Show, one of the SoB members featured reached out via email to explain his view of what writer Andrew Hankinson spun into an article entitled "America's Football Factory."

- Jason Davis

I got my hands on a copy of the GQ UK featuring a story on the Sons of Ben. The story merits comment because it portrays an accurate if somewhat harsh picture of the group, and to an extent, the larger North American supporters group movement. Whether that also means it's unflattering is in the eye of the beholder.

"The Cove", Sydney FC's supporters section

Australia's A-League faces many of the same challenges that MLS contends with in the United States; secondary status to more popular professional sports, issues over how best to market the league and its teams, questions of financial stability, how to approach the signing of aging marquee players, etc. etc. All of the parallels are there, while allowing for cultural differences and unique city-to-city attitudes towards the game.

As Major League Soccer nears the conclusion of its sixteenth season, the organization is making the transition from a struggling fringe league to an important part of the American sporting landscape. Attention from the classic and on-line media and the availability of games both in live venues and on television have never been higher in this country.

And now, a message from MLS Commissioner Don Garber.

"(TFC supporters) helped teach Americans how to be soccer fans, travelling, being passionate about Champions League and international games. It’s unfortunate that they haven’t been rewarded with a successful team."

Uh. Ok.

Being a Philadelphia Union season ticket holder, I received an email from team President Tom Veit this evening. Most of it, clearing up some issues which had arisen regarding security and flow of foot traffic, was warmly received. I welcome that sort of communication between the brass and the fanbase. It shows they're aware of the problems that exist and are working to remedy them.

And the Gods of soccer said to the supporter, "You are our most loyal servant, and your devotion pleases us. Go down to the terraces, and spread these laws amongst my people:"

1 THOU SHALT STAND for the full ninety minutes. It's okay though, if you sit down to have a beer at halftime.

2 THOU SHALT SING the songs of your club, and the chants of its people.

3 THOU SHALT WEAR YOUR SCARF even when it's 106 and bottles of water are four bucks. You can hold it in your hand if it's too warm, you big baby.

4 THOU SHALT REMEMBER THE MATCH DAY, AND KEEP IT HOLY, and remember not to schedule less important stuff then.

5 THOU SHALT QUESTION THE PARENTAGE AND QUALITY OF THE OFFICIALS every time a call goes against you, no matter whether it was deserved or not.

6 THOU SHALT TARGET THE OPPOSING KEEPER FOR ABUSE. Goalkeepers aren't real people anyway, so have at them.

7 THOU SHALT NOT WEAR ANOTHER TEAM'S JERSEY, especially if they're your opponent. You look like a total assclown, and nobody thinks you're cool.

8 THOU SHALT NOT DO THE F***ING WAVE. Does this look like AA baseball?

9 THOU SHALT NOT BLOW ON A VUVUZELA. Ever. Get a drum if you want to be instrumental.

10 THOU SHALT NOT FIGHT no matter how many times you've seen Green Street Hooligans.

Multiple topics, one post. What can I say, it's Friday.

***

Jersey Hate


I'm not a jerseyphile, shirt collector, kit freak or whatever the term is for someone who breathlessly analyzes the newest looks pumped out by Nike, Adidas, Puma, or whomever is responsible for them. The modern approach to these things is distasteful enough, with massive companies that hardly need the money changing things dramatically every few years in an effort to sell more merchandise.


I just can't work myself up enough to waste emotional energy on something that matters little to the fortunes of my team (or any other for that matter).


Yet, I can appreciate the mindset and passion that leads to commentary like Keith Hickey let fly in the previous post. He criticized the new USMNT kit because he cares. I may see it as misplaced enthusiasm, but that doesn't mean it isn't valid in the most inconsequential of ways.


For the record, I don't mind either the away or home US jerseys for the World Cup. It appears that makes me the exception rather than the rule. So be it.


When the United States takes the field in South Africa against England on June 12th, I doubt seriously that anyone will care that their shirts have a beauty queen sash, that the shirt is "cluttered" with a number added, or that there are pointless stripes of red or white on the sleeves. If the Americans manage to shock everyone with a win, or scrap their way to a hard fought draw, the jersey they're wearing will immediately become iconic in the history of American soccer (provided the take care of business against Algeria and/or Slovenia; no one will care if they crash out in the first round). If they don't, or if this World Cup ends up like the last World Cup, the shirt will fade away into history, taking its place along the terrible looks the US has sported throughout the years.


If you don't like the jersey, don't buy one. I'm not sure there's much more to say, although I would advise you to wait to see it on the players on the field before you make your final judgement. Some times these things look different in "real life".


Me, I'll be getting mine as soon as I can find a spare $75. I just hope that happens before the World Cup. Nike, if your reading, drop me a line...


Whoa, that was pretty shameless. Never mind.

***

Charlie's Chances


Bob Bradley made some comments on the World Cup hopes of Charlie Davies at the jersey unveiling in New York yesterday. Most outlets are characterizing those comments as "not hopeful" or a sign that Davies is still a long shot to make the 30-man roster or warm up camp next month. While on the face of it Bradley wasn't too positive, I tend to see his comments as careful and calculated rather than any real indication that Charlie will or won't be included in camp. He certainly can't say that Davies is guaranteed a spot, not at this point.


My bet is he's there, with a real shot to make the team, come May 15th. Now, it would help a lot if he could get a game before the end of the Ligue 1 season, and who knows it that will happen. Let's cross our fingers.


Bradley is right to downplay expectations, let the situation play out without tipping his hand, and minimize pressure on Charlie. What he says at a jersey launch in New York isn't necessarily going to be the most enlightening information, especially from a guy that like to play things close to the vest.


Charlie has work to do yet, and he may not end up in South Africa; but for the time being, I have no reason to believe he doesn't have a very real shot.

***

Supporters and Songs


It's not my habit to throw out links, but there's a quality bit of writing that popped up this week that needs some more attention.


It's a lament on American supporters and our songs from Nutmeg Radio (I'm in full agreement with this sentiment, by the way).


Go read it, it's worth a thought or two.


Back later perhaps, either in the usual one topic format (if inspiration hits) or in this more casual round up thing.

Nothing of significance from me tonight, just wanted to pass along a link to an interesting viewpoint on how MLS should present itself:

Football, Fussball, Soccer (Fanhouse)

The writer makes strong arguments for a Major League Soccer light on corporate malarkey and frills, and heavy on atmosphere, supporter culture, and bare-bones, punk, counter-culture vibes. German second division side FC St. Pauli is his inspiration.

'Tis excellent, and I highly suggest you read it. I may decide to expound on the ideas contained therein at some point in the future.

The potential of Major League Soccer coming to Portland (it remains "potential" as long as the stadium issue is unresolved) has some questioning the prevailing (and long standing) supporters culture. On OregonLive today, a column appeared which includes a letter written to the Timbers front office; in the letter, a family decries what the writer calls "a bunch of angry white guys tanked up on liquor", "dropping F-BOMBS in their chants all night long".

The writer goes on to declare that the Timbers won't fill their newly renovated stadium if the Timbers Army is allowed to continue their dirty chanting, determining that the club will be dependent on "the large family willing to drop a couple hundred bucks on tickets and then fill up on concessions and gear".

Ugh. Where to begin.

I suppose the writer presents, inadvertently, an interesting question: Does the move to MLS behoove the Timbers to shift their focus from a counter-culture hard-core supporters model to a more family-oriented soccer-mom one?

Of course not.

The Timbers, despite the beliefs of one parent, can absolutely succeed by staying true to what go them to where they are (on the verge of MLS). In fact, it would be a crime if Paulson pointed marketing efforts in a different direction, or did anything to reduce the influence of the Timbers Army. Portland is exactly what MLS needs because it is not the staid, bland, boring fan culture that so many clubs around the league possess.

Could the Timbers Army cut down on the swearing just a touch? Sure. But any family attending a match should know what they're getting into going in; supporter culture is part of a club's identity, and shouldn't be artificially restricted for any reason short of violence or abuse. Language is too often censored unduly while parents receive a free pass, either because they're unwilling to speak frankly with their children regarding its use, or because those parents believe it is the responsibility of others to dictate its use. We're talking about words here people.

I suspect that if enough people complain, or if the Timbers see a hit to their bottom line, that they may ask their supporters to scale back on the four letter words. While there's nothing wrong with that, and I would hope the TA would be receptive to the needs of the club, it unfortunately speaks to a misstep on the part of professional soccer teams in the United States. Long term growth and entrenched cultural resonance will not be built through the family-friendly atmosphere, not matter how tempting it is to go after those dollars.

In a country where professional soccer will remain fourth or fifth in the competition for entertainment dollars for at least the time being, it's the passion of fans like the Timbers Army that will drive new interest from those yet unconverted.

My favorite part of the letter, one that speaks to the ignorance of the writer, despite their claims of a history of supporting soccer clubs:

"Do they really believe that chanting obscenities from 75 meters away impacts what happens on the pitch? Fat guys leading cheers laced with foul language is rather silly isn't it? Don't believe me, go sit down there next game."

Like I said, I don't know where to begin. To say he (or she) is missing the point would be a gross understatement.

You stay classy, Portland. I like you just the way you are.

*UPDATE*

There is now a response to the letter from the Timbers Army, which you can find here.