BVSC's Sixth Brigade

Shortly after the announcement that Boston Victory Soccer Club would be playing in the USL-PDL in 2012, the first supporters group popped up.  Sixth Brigade calls itself the only true Ultras group in New England and certainly has people talking.  We asked them for an interview to get a better idea about what this new and somewhat mysterious group was all about.

TDIF: Who is behind the Sixth Brigade?

 6B: To begin thanks for the interview. Who we are doesn't really matter at this point, my name is Viriato and will be answering

these questions.

TDIF: You mention on your site that you have members with connections to Diabos Vermelhos, No Name Boys and Torcida Split, what are there experiences with those groups and what do they bring to the table for Sixth Brigade?

6B: Yes some of our members have been involved with those groups for over 15-20 years,they have different experiences from leading their neighborhood chapter to leading a group of over 4000 members. I personally have almost paid with my life the devotion to my club but I do not expect things like that to happen here in the states.

TDIF: BVSC called you their official supporters group, what is your connection and affiliation with the team? 

6B: By being their official supporters groups means that we are recognized by the club. We are in no way run by the club we are independently run. We do however meet with the board regularly to discuss everything from tifo to discounts for members. 

TDIF: What is your experience with soccer in New England? Have you attended Revolution games, if so what are your thoughts?

6B: The top 3 of the 6B have attended a few revs games. We find the games to be very child and family oriented and not accommodating to the true football  fan. Which at times makes them unbearable. 

TDIF: Have you ever attended matches of lower league teams here such as Mass United, Lynn FC or MPS?

6B: We have attended a few MPS and Pioneer games not any Mass Utd games.

TDIF: Without giving to much away what is your vision for Tifo at BVSC games?

6B: We have a lot of tifo ideas and have been brainstorming for the past few weeks. We are looking to go big, flags, banners, sectional displays, and yes smoke and very lites. We believe that we can set the tone for football in NE. What we do in BVSC can affect the revolution. If we create big displays the revs will then feel pressured to do the same. We are looking to challenge the way soccer is being viewed in NE.

TDIF: The European Ultra experience is very different from what we've seen in North America, what elements do you want to bring here?

6B: What we want to bring here in terms of a supporters group is more passion. You can see all across the MLS, teams have passionate fans and we believe that there is no reason we can not. Football support in NE is not on par with the rest of the USA and the only way to change it is from its roots.  We welcome everyone that wants things to change in NE football culture, BVSC is a great club ran by football people. Will we always get along with the team? No!, but they will not try to kill the ULTRA culture like other teams around NE. They understand the football culture.

We'd like to thank Sixth Brigade for their time and we wish them the best for getting things off the ground.  For more information you can visit them on Facebook or their website.