I think we’d all agree that soccer doesn’t get a fair chance in this area. Of course everyone goes to Nationals, Capitals, Wizards and Redskins games…no matter how good or bad those teams are. But what about soccer? D.C. United is right in our own backyard, yet they don’t get the attention they deserve. That being said, On Tap decided to send three ladies out to challenge area soccer fan clubs to make them a fan. Here they put Barra Brava, the Screaming Eagles and the American Outlaws to the soccer test.
La Barra Brava
Story and Photo by Nicole Pearo
I was born and raised a DC sports fan: “Hail to the Redskins” was one of the first songs I learned, breaking the Caps’ noise-o-meter was a constant goal of mine, I’ve thrown the half court shot at a Wizards game, and always rooted for the home team (Nats or O’s, depending on the year). But can I really call myself a DC fan if I’ve never been to a DC United game? With a host from the Barra Brava fan club, I bravely ventured into the unknown territory.
Arriving at RFK immediately brought back memories of HFStival’s glory days – that stadium is just so damned accessible (+1000 pts). Then I made my way over to Barra Brava’s tailgate to warm up for the game. Don’t let the frat-like jerseys and beer pong tables fool you; La Barra Brava is an inclusive group. Newbies are immediately welcomed. It’s sort of like attending a Redskins tailgate, in better weather, with 400 of your closest friends. Who happen to be awesome cooks. And love to share their beer. And frozen margaritas. (5 pts for each new friend I made = + 2000 pts)
It wasn’t long before I met the Godfather. Oscar was busy behind the grill serving up Carne for his people. This friendly Bolivian started the group in 1996, and though the chants evolved from Latin American roots, today’s Barra crowd is comprised of a diverse mix of cultures and ages united by a love of soccer and outdoor drinking. (+300 pts for diversity)
Soon flags are being distributed and drummers are readying their instruments. The Barra don’t walk into a game, they march. Sure, the hundreds of face-painted, flag-waving, chanting fans drew a few stares. It’s strange. But if you are one of the chosen few, it’s awesome.
Don’t bring your grandmother to the Barra Brava section to watch a game. Unless your grandmother likes beer showers (+300 pts), chanting in Spanish (+600 pts for teaching me pseudo-Spanish), and jumping up and down with 24 oz beers (-200 pts, a bottle would have been more conducive to jumping than a draft). These things are what separate Barra Brava from the average fan club.
A couple bad calls from the refs (-200 pts) and the absence of a United goal (0 pts) are the only thing that prevent this party from a perfect score, but that’s not the Barra’s fault.
And I finally discovered that DC United did not need to be pitied for being overshadowed by the other teams in DC. Who needs 84,000 bandwagon fans when you can have 1,500 of the loudest, overly decorated, devoted fans filling the bouncing Barra Brava section? Now that I’ve experienced it, I can’t imagine watching a DC United game any other way. Yeah, they’ve made me a fan.
4,800 points (A +)
Learn about membership or get tickets for the Barra Brava section at barra-brava.com
American Outlaws at Molly Malone’s: Video Killed the Stadium Show
Story and Photo by Kay Boatner
With most of the District otherwise occupied mourning the Caps playoff loss or busy waving foam fingers at Nats games, one DC team finds itself lacking in local love.
Soccer tends to be forgotten as far as the spotlight goes in the States—unless David Beckham is involved in some way, which unfortunately for this article, he’s not. Anyhow, apparently our city has a pretty baller (get it?) team: D.C. United. Late last month, some players from the roster trekked to Connecticut to play for the U.S. Nationals in a match-up against the Czech Republic.
Hartford’s kind of far to travel just to take in a game, especially for a sports simpleton like myself. Good thing Molly Malone’s was having a viewing get-together—a much more convenient party for this Fairfax-based girl to crash.
As always, the party will be given 1,000 points to start and will have points added and subtracted for a final grade.
I heard the party before I saw it: Filtering out of the door of the Irish pub was the sound of the American national anthem, as sung by upwards of 30-something drunk dudes (just how our forefathers hoped it would be performed). High-fives were offered upon my entrance.
(+2,000) for friendliness, but -200, because, dawgs, it was kind of pitchy for me.
Three medium-sized TVs showed the game, which I was ok with, but I feel like futbol freaks wouldn’t be pleased with the lack of screen space, most of which was blocked by dudes. (-100 pts.)
The hosts of the party, the American Outlaws, a group of Nationals supporters, sported our country’s colors and circulated discounted menu items while chanting “U-S-AAAA!” at the top of their lungs. If these Outlaws are ever wanted for anything, it will be noise violations.
+1,500 for pure patriotism and an abundance of finger foods.
According to the Outlaws website, their events sometimes include members dressed as American icons like Captain America or Rocky. -750 for no superhero—or Sylvester Stallone—sightings at this particular shindig.
The Nationals ended up losing, but I barely noticed, since some guy with red, white and blue lines streaked across his face seemed to be breaking up with his girlfriend as the disappointment over the Czechs final goal became too much for him to bear.
-300 for the boo-hooing, but +500 for alternate entertainment options—you know, in case the game was lame.
Overall, despite my general lack of soccer knowledge, the wealth of information provided by the hard-core fans was enough for me to (mostly) follow—and enjoy—the onscreen action.
Bonus: I now know what a banana kick is. Score!
3,650 points (B+)
Screaming Eagles
Story and Photo by Kristina Hernandez
I never looked back after sprinting after a soccer ball when I was five years old. What was the reason for chasing a ball for 90 minutes? I could find none then and I still lack the reasoning to figure out why adults do the same and have little to show for it. Scores like 2-1 or 0-0 are not exciting. All that running around and all you get are a couple points? Give me some college football or at a least a sport where fights are commonplace.
It was through this prism that the Screaming Eagles took me under their wing and tried to make me a fan of DC United.
I easily found the Screaming Eagles at their tailgate stationed at a giant Pod – one that inconsiderate people park outside their nice condo neighborhoods and fill with stuff they don’t need. But for the Screaming Eagles, this setup worked great. There was plenty of food and drinks for everyone (plus 2,280 points for tailgating in front of a Pod).
I talked to a couple of the Screaming Eagles who were super nice and explained why soccer is so awesome. I found that what I was missing was that I was watching the game all wrong. A father/son duo said that all the action happens when you figure out how the players move into place to score. This reminded me of watching sketchy men at bars try to pick me up back in my single days (minus 1,700 points for bad memories). But now I know what I was doing wrong watching the game (plus 1,900 points for a new game plan).
At game time, I headed to the stadium. I was told the Screaming Eagles had a big drum and walk into the stadium banging away. I didn’t see or hear a drum (minus 2,400 points for lack of rowdy drumming). The security guy didn’t let me sit with the Screaming Eagles since my ticket was on the other side of the stadium but at halftime, the president of the club, Paul, brought me to hang out with the other soccer maniacs (plus 3,800 points and 100 bonus points that he got to run on the field; I would minus points here for not streaking but no one really wants to see that).
DC United is having a bad season but that night I got to see them score their first and second goals of the season. The Screaming Eagles went crazy, pounding on their drum, which finally made it to the stadium, waving flags and jumping on the stands (200 bonus points that the stands didn’t crack). But Barra Brava, another soccer fan club positioned next to the Screaming Eagles, had smoke bombs (minus 2,645 points that the Eagles lacked smoke bombs and minus 100 points for the excuse that they are illegal).
The energy was high and the Screaming Eagles were singing lots of songs. One song’s lyrics talked about flying over the opposing team’s hometown and “[bleep] on those bastards below” (1,302 points for bashing the opponents).
The game turned out to be more than just watching guys chase a ball and I would certainly go back to hang out with the Screaming Eagles and cheer DC United.
3,737 points (B+
