Monday, May 23, 2011

Better Know A Supporters Group: Angel City Brigade



We continue our comprehensive coverage of American soccer culture with our series "Better Know a Supporters Group," just like Steven Colbert's "Better Know a District" from "The Colbert Report". 


Our goal: to feature each of the MLS teams' supporters groups. We've sent e-mails to each and every SG in Major League Soccer and soon you'll be able to check all what each is all about and what awesomeness they have to contribute to our growing American soccer world.

When we devised this idea a while back it was cool to be able to see what each supporter group is about, but in light of the terrible, one-sided, anti-American, condescending profile of Philadelphia's Sons of Ben SG by the British GQ (not even going to link to it to give them the site hits) we think its all the more important to give supporters groups in Major League Soccer the proper exposure and voice they deserve.

Coming off their SuperClasico win against Chivas USA Saturday night, it's the "Angel City Brigade", supporters of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

As told to the Free Beer Movement by former ACB council member "Pox" and one of their current "capos".


The Basics

SG Name:  Angel City Brigade (ACB)

MLS Club:  Los Angeles Galaxy

Stadium:  The Home Depot Center

Year SG Founded: 2007

Section Name (if other than SG name): Section 121 / The North End

Any other SGs apart of your section?  The Galaxians occupy the front of section 122.

Location of SG in Stadium (section #, side, direction):  The North End of the HDC, section 121.

The Meaty Questions

What are the origins of your groups’ name? 

Angel City refers to our group’s homage to Los Angeles.  We’ve felt from the beginning that it was important to add Los Angeles in some way to our group’s name.  Brigade just refers to the camaraderie between our group’s members.  Hence, Angel City Brigade.

Favorite chants/songs?  

“This is LA” is our anthem.  It’s sung before every match and usually in the dying minutes of a match.  It’s unique to the league, and at a time when groups recycle a lot of songs it’s nice to have one that completely stands on it’s own.  Other songs that seem to be favorites are “Aleo” and “LA LA LA Let’s Go.”  We’re VERY big on moving en masse in unison.  These last two songs get everyone jumping and moving together and add to the atmosphere of the North End.

Chants can be found here.  http://angelcitybrigade.net/acb-chants/

Why is being in the supporters section the “best seat in the house”?  

Soccer Supporter’s in America are becoming a huge selling point for marketing soccer in America.  There’s a fervor and passion that comes with being a soccer fan and up until recently this aspect of the game was lost on the American public aside from a very small minority.  I believe that the Angel City Brigade and other SG’s across America and Canada are playing a huge part in not just providing an example of the passion but educating America’s sporting public.  If you come into our section you WILL lose your voice and you will leave knowing that you gave your all in support of the LA Galaxy.  This type of dedication makes you feel a part of the team.  That, and the numbers don’t lie.  We went from 20 members in 2008 to 600-800 per game in the 2011 season.  The passion, organization and knowledge we have is clearly contagious.
  
Brag. What makes your SG one of the best supporters groups in MLS?  

Angel City Brigade has grown and thrived in one of the most creative environments in the world.  We exemplify Los Angeles both inside and outside the stadium.

Inside the stadium we chant and sing non stop in support of our team.  If we are losing we only get louder. Angel City Brigade sing in Spanish and English and carry the best traditions from each supporting culture around the world, effectively creating a hybrid supporter’s culture.

Outside of the stadium ACB have bands dedicated to their section who play benefit shows to raise money for travel costs and tifo.  Angel City Brigade organize and compete in a friendly soccer game with Chivas USA supporters to promote the passion and emotion of a Clasico game without the violence.  Angel City Brigade are true representatives for what supporters in America should be, a conglomeration of different aspects of support from around the world who carry all the emotion and passion without the violence.
Section 121 Band found here.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmEJAZ7mU2o

Greatest game(s) in team history? 2002 and 2005 MLS Cup Finals.

Predictions for this season?  

With our hectic schedule I doubt we’ll take the supporter’s shield again.  We’ll easily qualify for the playoffs and once we do we’re easily one of the favorites, especially now that we’re hosting the MLS Cup.

Why Major League Soccer? Why American soccer?  

It’s sad that this even has to be asked.  Unfortunately a lot of Americans tend to lean towards the European or South American leagues.  Since that’s the reality it’s up to average MLS fans as well as supporter’s groups to draw attention to our league through our support in both dollars and passion.  You will NEVER have the same connection with a club 6,000 miles away as you do to the one in your own backyard.  Be proud of our young league and clubs.

One message.  GET YOUR HEAD STRAIGHT!!!  SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CLUB!!!! 


For more information and/or to join the "Angel City Brigade" check out their website


Get the NEW Free Beer Movement "Pint Glass" shirt! Only from Objectivo.com

27 comments:

  1. Ultras Angelinos! We aren't violent, but don't mistake that for weakness...

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  2. BRIGADA ANGELINA! 121 ACB!

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  3. "Angel City Brigade are true representatives for what supporters in America should be, a conglomeration of different aspects of support from around the world who carry all the emotion and passion without the violence."

    What a load of lies! ACB constantly uses intimidation and numbers to do whatever is they want to do in and around the home depot center. Just Saturday they were looking to start fights with other Galaxy fans. Thugs.

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  4. Mike your a fruitcake.

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  5. Mike that is a crock, any "misunderstandings" from the past were squashed Saturday! The people involved talked things out and set aside any differences. That must have been what you saw! Keep it real! Keep it positive! We've got better things to do, like preparing for Houston on Wednesday!

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  6. Not sure what you saw Mike, but we partied with Chivas fans during our tailgate, united with LA Riot Squad and Galaxians in the stands and played a friendly match with the Union Ultras on Monday. We also host tailgates with other Supporter's Groups around the league and plan on co-hosting the supporter's summit at the end of the year with the other Los Angeles supporter groups from Chivas USA and Galaxy. That's NOT intimidation and thuggery.

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  7. Mike,

    On Saturday many of us were trying to do LARS chants. We sat together and drank together. ACB has NEVER instigated anything. Please stop making crap up.

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  8. Great job Pox.

    Also, thank you to the Free Beer Movement for doing this segment. That British GQ article was anti-American trash and it's great to read about Supporter Groups from a better source.

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  9. I think Mike needs Arrogant Bastard. It's true that this beverage could save humanity. If only people weren't scared of absolute utopia. What a shame.

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  10. We do whatever we want? Ha I actually wish that were true! If you are talking about ACB and LARS talking before, during and after.. well it was just that.

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  11. "BLUE WHITE AND GOLD!"

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  12. The beauty of having support groups from the greater LA area is that it is a melting pot as diverse as the city we support. there will always be small conflicts between individuals from time to time but that's human nature, and those incidents get handled by the leaders of the groups with quick resolve.

    ACB has never supported violence nor does it instigate conflict. It has on many occasion told its members to stand in unison with other support groups because we support the same team, and those whom choose to act out against those wishes are removed from the group.

    I was at the last game in front of the entrance when the leader of LARS turned to ACB and led us in chant and with unified voice so loud the whole stadium heard that LA was home and this was our house.

    Their is one team in LA and we all stand united

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  13. All beef was squashed. Friends were made and reunited. Stop stirring things up dipshit. This is what some people have been working on for some time now.

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  14. ACB IS LEADERLESS BRILLIANCE! No cogs in our machine! We all march to the beat of the same drum. This of course is my 2 cents because I loathe authority. LA UNITED - ALL SG'S UNDER ONE BANNER.

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  15. A.C.B.x121xL.A.G.

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  16. San Jose Anon.

    Let's keep the name calling (especially the homophobic language) off our pages please.

    Let's keep in all in good fun. We're all building American soccer in our cities. Use some of that energy to bring more people to support your hometown club.

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  17. ACB....Please don't reply. The San Jose Ultras have developed a reputation, let them dig their own grave. Thank you in advance.

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  18. Hey San Jose.. It's pretty funny when the guitarist of Lars Fredrickson new band "old firm casuals" goes out of his way to distance himself from you losers. That's ALL I have to say and that's that.

    Proof is in the pudding: @ http://i51.tinypic.com/ofq6tx.jpg

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  19. "Angel City Brigade are true representatives for what supporters in America should be, a conglomeration of different aspects of support from around the world who carry all the emotion and passion without the violence."

    Oh really? What about the Frank and Ash incident? They went looking for trouble over a single scarf, got their asses kicked, and you backed them up from getting banned? I don't know what to believe anymore.

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  20. You mean Frank and Ash talking to security above their section to get a scarf back, then getting jumped, then also getting banned for their troubles. Of course ACB is going to back their members up in that case. ACB even had help from Chivas supporter's groups to lift the ban for them.

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  21. "Oh really? What about the Frank and Ash incident? They went looking for trouble over a single scarf, got their asses kicked, and you backed them up from getting banned? I don't know what to believe anymore."

    Frank and Ash dealt with the security above Legion's section the entire time. You don't "go looking for trouble" then go talk to a security guard about getting a scarf back. The security told them to wait there, then they got jumped, and were subsequently banned for life.

    ACB obviously stood up for their cause at this point and based on HDC security records, our front office and the HDC security agreed with us. They complied with security the whole time and did not deserve to be banned. So I suppose you could take up your argument with the HDC and Galaxy FO as well if you'd like. Cause we were all in agreement.

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  22. The growth of your group is amazing, keep up the good work i love the atmosphere you bring to the games.

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  23. I love the atmosphere I bring to the games. Don't get it twisted though, I only do it because I'm in love with myself.

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  24. I sat with ACB once during a Chivas game. some of their chants are so misogynistic that it takes the fun out of it all. Pulling money out for the chivas girls isn't funny, it's sexist.

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  25. That would be what lars does.... sorry Thelma, although I did see Some of our members at the last game joining in... that was lame.


    Also 1906 Gurltra... you must be new. Ask your buddies what happens everytime we're minding our own business and you idiots come and try to act hool on us.. go a head ask. if they tell you any truth, you will retract that comment hahah...

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  26. San Jose is lame.

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"Anyone who tells me soccer is boring, I'm going to punch them in the face."
- Former Dallas Burn (aka FC Dallas) coach Dave Dir

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