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You Suck...

06/21/2011 5:58 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)

—by Garrett Dittfurth

You suck asshole used to be one of my favorite chants. I used to get all riled up about it and scream it with all my might. It was the loudest and clearest chant we did. But here's the thing. You Suck Asshole got old. It started to suck. It still does. It's a complete embarrassment to any group that shouts it in a coordinated fashion at an opposing goalkeeper taking a kick. It's stupid and uncreative.

However, the New England Revolution's front office went WAY overboard in their latest attempt to squash their supporters groups from using this chant. For the last 16 years they basically ignored it. Apparently they decided to try and enforce the ban of it to appeal to the soccer mom crowd after sending out an email and talking to some supporters groups on the side. In order to do that they used their security guards to remove people from their supporters section because they used that chant. The Foxboro police arrested more people for disorderly conduct for using the you suck asshole chant than they arrested Boston residents celebrating the Bruins Stanley Cup win. In addition there are also accusations of improper conduct by the Foxboro Police Department which can be found in the linked article above.

Recently MLS sent their head of marketing to Portland to talk about what's right about soccer in the Pacific Northwest so that the league might implement what is right here in struggling markets. They know Cascadia has it right. We had a problem with the you suck asshole chant years ago. It took almost 2 years to completely kill that thing and we didn't have as many years of doing it like the Revolution's supporters did. Our front office worked with us to kill off that chant long before MLS sniffed Portland. It didn't happen overnight and it didn't happen without some relapses and false starts. It took a lot of work from a lot of dedicated people. You won't hear that chant here because we've had enough time to educate people on why it's not used and the Timbers FO was a good faith partner who understood that working with us as equals and providing positive incentives was a smarter solution than threats and bans.

So a final message to New England's front office. You suck. You're an embarrassment to MLS and all American soccer supporters. You have been unable to draw anyone to your games for years. Your marketing campaigns are crap and the fact you play your games in a NFL stadium miles outside of Boston is ridiculous. You're failing on so many levels it's not even funny anymore. In this latest marketing attempt you viciously attacked the most dedicated supporters that actually will go to your games miles outside of Boston and actually care about your club. These people are the bread and butter of any successful club and you rewarded years of loyalty with a knife in the back. Your ineptitude is bordering mind boggling status at this point. You need help, a lot of it, and the sad part is we know you'll squander that help even when you receive it.

If the USSF ever gets smart and awards USMNT games to Portland we will actively quash that chant along with providing the national team the best support in the country. This is a message to Sam's Army and American Outlaws. When you're in Portland don't even think about doing that chant. We will put people on the capo stands who won't do it and we'll actively use our messaging arm to make sure it's clear that chant never sees the light of day in Portland. We'll represent USA in a smart and witty way that doesn't involve chanting obscenities just because they're kinda funny to scream as an adult. Portland is better than that and so is the USA.

This is an opinion piece and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the 107ist or the TA.


Comments

  • 07/09/2016 3:52 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    Andrew Brawley says:
    Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    “This is an opinion piece and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the 107ist or the TA.”
    I wish the best of luck with that disclaimer. Godspeed.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 07/09/2016 3:52 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    ryan says:
    Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    Garrett:
    Thanks for your piece, glad to see somebody from TA (and 107ist to boot) making a statement, unofficial as it may be. Regarding arrests, The Washington Post reports 7 during Bruins celebrations. The Bent Musket blog is reporting 2 at the Revs match. Of course, that’s 2 too many, but I’d be interested to read your source that confirms more.
    Cheers.
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/boston-police-arrest-7-during-celebrations-after-bruins-win-stanley-cup-in-vancouver/2011/06/16/AGApWoXH_story.html
    http://www.thebentmusket.com/2011/6/20/2234298/fracas-in-the-fort-revolution-supporters-banned-and-arrested-for#storyjump
    Link  •  Reply
  • 07/09/2016 3:53 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    Nathan says:
    Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    As a Revs supporter who stood in awe of Timbers Army during their USL years, this is much appreciated. The more support we’ve got, the more likely it is real change will come from it. I’ve been suggesting we take the same course of action the TA did years ago when they flat out didn’t come to a playoff game until deep into the second half. We’re grateful of your support.
    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Support-The-Fort/137842492960306
    Link  •  Reply
  • 07/09/2016 3:53 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    Garrett Dittfurth says:
    Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 1:33 pm

    Ryan,
    From the article at The Drug is Football.
    “We have heard varying numbers and do not have any hard information yet but multiple sources are telling us that between 10-12 supporters were arrested and at least 20 banning orders have been issued. As a contrast the Boston Bruins had their Stanley Cup victory parade through the streets of Boston earlier that day; there were 1.5 million people there. There were 9 arrests.”
    In a follow up to the article it seems as the Rev’s FO is refusing to answer the question as to how many arrests, ejections, and bans were issued.
    http://www.thedrugisfootball.com/2011/06/fortgate-update-1.html
    Link  •  Reply
  • 07/09/2016 3:53 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    Ryan says:
    Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    Thanks, mate. Will be interesting to see how the numbers pan out once official information is released. Again, one arrest for something as silly as “YSA” is too many.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 07/09/2016 3:54 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    Nick says:
    Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    As a supporter of the New England Revolution (albeit one who is starting to care less and less), I have one problem with your post.
    “Your ineptitude is bordering mind boggling status at this point.”
    ‘Bordering’ should be replaced with ‘beyond.’ Other than that, you’re pretty spot on.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 07/09/2016 3:54 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    Kenny Hanson says:
    Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    Great article – You seem to be pretty spot on.
    K. Hanson – 133 ILLEGITIMATES
    Link  •  Reply
  • 07/09/2016 3:54 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    Soccer Mom says:
    Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 2:02 pm

    You know, it wouldn’t take long for someone else to defend my intentions to raise kids on soccer. Thank you, Hoopla, whomever you are, who commented on the USA Today “why the Pacific Northwest is cool for soccer”:
    http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2011-06-17-3625919442_x.htm#uslPageReturn
    “You can take your young urbanite junk and drown on it. Seattle, Portland and Vancouver were into Football well before the pro leagues came to town. Our parents loved the game and they went out and made it happen for hundreds of thousands of kids. We like action and this game gives it to you non-stop for 90 minutes. This has nothing to do with young people, or the pub scene. Those things just enhance it like dressing on your salad. I got to play against kids from Vancouver, BC and Portland, OR during our many soccer exchanges. The difference here is that this area has been influenced by Great Britain (starting with Captain Cook) and other European countries. We are port cities. We are influence by the world before any stupid American idea comes to this place. Football is in our blood and we love it. There are many different cultures here and when Football is offered as an entertainment we are there in full to watch and be apart of the happening. We are lovers of art, music, science, nature and sport. The reason why it is so big here is simply we get. We were taught the game from when we were little and we grew up and we kept on watching and waiting for our turn to have a team. In our stands are more than just 20 somethings. I’ve seen my old coaching and parents of kids I used to play with. Soccer/Football is the world’s game and we are here to play and be apart of it always.”
    Don’t be hating your momma. Real soccer moms know that sport involves profanity. And real “Northwest” soccer is in your blood, it’s generational, and every continental soccer fan should express thanks for what your three cities have done to make the game more exciting.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 07/09/2016 3:55 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    Tanya Keith says:
    Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 2:08 pm

    Yet another reason why I love Portland (see http://wp.me/pUhga-3j for the original reasons)….the supporters are totally intolerant of creatively lacking chants. It’s true, it seems like the faster soccer grows, the more mindless our chants get, and while I’m sorry to see YSA making a comeback, it’s totally out-scale to arrest people for it.
    While I am perhaps the best known USMNT fan for bringing kids to the supporters section, we ultra fan mamas (as opposed to soccer moms) get that some cursing is going to take place in the section. As I wrote in my blog post on the subject (http://wp.me/pUhga-23) it’s pretty easy to convince a kid of an alternate (Your socks have holes!) to cursing. Rather than trying to arrest people for something as benign as cursing, stick to getting the violent drunks out of the section and I agree, use more diplomatic methods of squelching annoying profanity.
    And good luck, Portland. I’d love to come to a USMNT game up there! I’m hoping to get there for a Timbers game, but we’ll see how the rest of the summer goes.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 07/09/2016 3:55 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    Andrew Brawley says:
    Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 4:59 pm

    I explained it to a kid once as “you suck Ethel!” The kids quickly lost interest and moved on, which means the mission was accomplished.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 07/09/2016 3:55 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    Patch Adam says:
    Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    There are many reasons to enjoy this essay, but I honed in on one statement in particular.
    “It took a lot of work from a lot of dedicated people.”
    It’s easier now for many tens-of-thousands to embrace the Portland Timbers FC because of the tireless work put forth from such an extraordinary collective of long-devoted supporters. Those include not just the many well-known dozens during the USL era in the early aughts, but those from the 90s, 80s and before.
    This essay does more than just quash the sophomoric banality the YSA Chant encompasses. It pays respect to the work of those who all-too-easily become overlooked while cast into the shadow of the great, mass of energized fans. Thank you for writing it, Garrett. The TA and 107 are fortunate to have thoughtful, passionate people such as yourself.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 07/09/2016 3:56 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    Randy Wilson says:
    Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 4:43 pm

    Appalling: http://www.twitvid.com/2RGBE Wonder if they’ll make arrests for language at Patriots games?
    Link  •  Reply
  • 07/09/2016 3:56 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    Randy Wilson says:
    Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 4:46 pm

    Plus you have to love that the cops making the arrest drop the f-bomb about 3 or 4 times.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 07/09/2016 3:57 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    lex says:
    Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 1:19 pm

    Hmm…video deleted.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 07/09/2016 3:57 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    Paul Eisl says:
    Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 7:11 pm

    I have been reading all the reports coming from this game and I am glad you addressed this issue Gerrett. The Kraft family and the New England front office are a complete embarrassment to MLS. Saturday’s actions by the front office are just the latest glaring example of complete ineptitude within the management.
    I hope this will be the turning point for the FO and Revs supporters to move forward.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 07/09/2016 3:58 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    Dorothy Cooper says:
    Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    Excellent article. YSA is an embarrassment that seems to have a life of its own – in some cases it’s the only thing that people in the regular stands chant. We have it here in Philly, but I hope our FO and SOB elders can work through the problem in an educated, sane manner. Keep the faith – you have a lot of fellow supporters from all over the country behind you. Philadelphia Union Section 103.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 07/09/2016 3:58 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    mike says:
    Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 10:48 am

    A question arises from this- when the YSA chant takes on a life of it’s own among everyday fans (ie not the SG’s in a stadium), what can a SG do to prevent it? It’s a lot easier to quash something among a USL sized crowd (although Portland’s USL crowds were probably bigger than some teams [looking at you Dallas] MLS crowds) than among a MLS sized crowd…
    I just am curious since you say in the article that it won’t come from your capo stand at a USMNT match. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t come from the capo stand in a place like Seattle or Vancouver, but it still occurs in the stadium because that’s what people have seen over the years on TV or whereever.
    PS- Free the Fort.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 07/09/2016 3:58 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    Garrett Dittfurth says:
    Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 11:07 am

    Our USL supporters crowd was not much smaller than it was now in the Timbers Army end. YSA is coming from the supporters section at USMNT games. Considering the vast majority of people coming out to a USMNT match would be Portlanders and those in the supporters area would be vastly outnumbered by Portlanders who already bought in to killing that chant. Yes that particular chant isn’t coming from a capo stand but it’s certainly not being actively quashed from the capo stand and within the crowd which is something that would happen here. Sure people would come in from other cities and some of them would likely try and start that chant but I’ve seen what happens first hand when someone tries to start that here now. 7 or 8 people immediately turn to the person and tell them to shut up. It’s pretty effective in getting them to stop.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 07/09/2016 3:58 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    Justin says:
    Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 11:24 am

    #freethefort
    Link  •  Reply
  • 07/09/2016 3:59 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    Scott V Swearingen says:
    Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 1:15 pm

    We have our own YSA. It’s called F@ck Seattle in the middle of “hey, portland timbers”. Just wait until the 10th and the meetings we will have after that game. We have managed to quash it for the most part at other games, but it will happen again when we play seattle. It will be loud and clear. The only real choice is to not sing it at all really…
    Link  •  Reply
  • 07/09/2016 3:59 PM | 107ist Admin (Administrator)
    Roger.Anthony says:
    Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 4:59 pm

    Garrett touches on a key point in the very first sentence: ” ‘You suck asshole’ used to be one of my favorite chants.”
    That’s true of a lot of us; moreover, for a sizable number of people here, YSA was the gateway drug that hooked them on the TA.
    It’s passe now and I woudn’t want to go back to it, but in 2003 and 2004 it was by far the loudest chant in the repertoire; it was easy to do, and for those arriving at the stadium after a frustrating day in the office cube farm, it was even a little bit therapeutic. We weren’t heckling the goalkeeper so much as vicariously telling off the various d-bags of the world.
    So my question for Messrs. Kraft and Garber is this: Do you get mad when a 1-year-old spills his bottle? Well, YSA is your supporters groups taking their first toddler steps. You’re not arresting hooligans when you come down on YSA … you’re arresting the development of professional soccer in New England.
    Link  •  Reply


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