When They Kick Down Your Front Door....

...How you gonna come?

Apparently by standing by and doing nothing. This past weekend MLS and TeamOps, threatened Monty Rodrigues with ejection while he was on the Capo stand, in front of the Fort, for actions of others beyond his control. This obviously not the first time this has happened (see: Fortgate). The premise was if he did not stop swearing and stop the Fort from using unwelcome language he would be removed.

Monty had just taken the stand for the second half, he insisted to security that he was not using the language he was accused of using and asked how it would be possible for him to control the actions of others. Monty tells TDIF that the regular TeamOps staff actually came to his defense and that a supervisor and a mystery MLS security consultant were the ones who were approaching him. The regular TeamOps staff was rotated out. Monty was not ejected but left of his own free will out of frustration of another incident like this occurring.

We have contacted the team for comment and were told by Lizz Summers that Brian Bilello's comments on twitter would serve as the official statement from the team. We asked Summers for identification of this mysterious MLS consultant and for a contact at MLS and were ignored. MLS has also not responded to our inquiry.

We are told that Cathal Conlon tried to intervene and diffuse the situation with the mystery MLS man and was unsuccessful, and that the Revs FO is furious at what occurred. Since Fortgate there have been protocols put in place to prevent these sorts of actions and they were not followed by the rogue MLS consultant. MLS and the team have offered official apologies to the SG's were told but not to Monty. Monty does state that he has received unofficial apologies from MLS staff and Revs staff.

Generally it appears that the Revs FO has relatively clean hands on this one and tried to do the right thing. We do question however how a MLS security consultant had the authority to issue orders to TeamOps, and why TeamOps felt that they needed to listen to him without going up their own command structure. We know a "blue shirt" shirt supervisor was involved and took the side of the MLS official and switched out the rank and file regular "orange shirts" who came to the defense of Monty.  The question must also be asked as to why they went after Monty shortly after taking the stand in the second half, while doing nothing in the first half to address these concerns.

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The most troubling thing about this incident to me is that no one cared.  This was a concern after Fortgate... what if it beats us down so much that we just don't care about these things in the future?

Sure there are people out there who did care, who walked out, who asked questions and were furious, but it was a handful... less than 10 by my estimate.

This is a problem.

Everyone here aspires to have our support eventually be the like of support in Seattle... in Portland and hell even Kansas City of all places.  You know what all those places have that we don't? Unity.

I'll be the first to admit that I have work to do myself on that front, but unity is built on respect and respect is a 2 (or 3 in the case of Rev's SGs) way street.

It is my humble opinion that being a supporter is about supporting the team, but just as importantly your group and the members of your group. A fan of the team is a fan of the team... and that's all, by choosing to be a supporter your are joining something bigger than yourself and a culture that no other sport has.

Supporters need to and should stand for each other, we are all in this together for the support of the team, the sport and a unique subculture of sports fandom that is still very much in it's formative years here in the US.

People ignored or didn't care about Monty. This is the man who made the Fort possible, who has made it possible for there to be a supporters culture in New England. Monty walked out in support of all of you, and of what we do as supporters. It was not a decision that was made lightly. No one (well almost no one) backed him. The red flag was ignored, and the Fort as a whole waved a white flag.

No one is going to stand up for you, your group, the Fort etc if you do not do it yourself. If you are attacked you need to make a stand and let people know you are not going to take it. Acting like nothing happened or just waiting it out until it goes away gives others permission to do it again... and get away with it.

I am not saying that another fiasco like Fortgate should have occured, but maybe a few more people should have walked out, or did something to show some support and say something is happening, it's wrong and we don't like it. It's too late now, those who want to sweep it under the rug are already doing so.

If you were watching a friend get attacked, would you step in? Would you call 911? You wouldn't stand there and do nothing would you? 

I'll be honest I care less than I used to, or perhaps just in a different way. Passiveness and apathy seem to spread around here like the plague.

Until we actually start taking care of each other and giving a damn we will never be what we aspire to be. The path we are on now is one to irrelevance in the US supporters culture. There are NASL teams that do it better than us. Give a damn or stop calling yourself a supporter.

Fortgate: The Sequel?

Information is scarce at this point. Here is what we know:

During the second half of tonight's game the capo in front of the Fort was approached by TeamOps (Kraft's in house security firm) and an, unidentified at this point, MLS official and informed the if swearing in the Fort did not cease the capo would be ejected from the game. The Capo who was involved in the initial Fortgate incident was involved and had just taken the stand for the second half. He left of his own free will, refusing to be ejected for an issue beyond his control by MLS and Kraft thugs.

At this point there are plenty of rumors and information swirling around, and you know we are on top of it. We are actively collecting information and will provide as much as possible as soon as possible.

If you aren't already mad... your doing it wrong.

Support The Fort.

Things To Come, Writers Wanted.

As we come up on our official release of TDIF Print, I realize that out online content has been severely lacking. The amount of work that we've put in to get this first issue done has been intense.  Going forward from here for our next issues the work should hopefully be a little less, as the very basics are now in place for future issues and we do not have to start from scratch.

The time has come to move forward with the next phases of reinventing TDIF. Over the next few months you will start seeing some more things going on.

This Issue's Cover

So you may be wondering what our cover is all about. From the start we knew we wanted our good friend Michael Hammecker (who will also be contributing to TDIF) to create the art for our very first cover. So now we present to you it's story... before you can even get your hands on the first issue!

TDIF Print Issue 1 Update!

So the amount of work that goes into pulling this all together is incredible, but it's almost done! Our cover artwork is almost done, the layout is almost done and we will hopefully be sending the first issue to print soon! So what can you expect from Issue 1?

• Joe Max Moore - New England Legend 
• The Original MLS 'Zine - What Pictures of Chairman Mao meant to New England soccer culture.
• Big Dog Barbershop - The Barbershop is making a comeback, we speak with Jim owner of Big Dog about being a barber, and his punk rock roots.
• Top 5's - In every issue we wil run down our top 5 of something... this time it's Hip-Hop albums.
• Record Review: Iceage
• Sex Doesn't Sell - The inefficiency of the Revolution's Rev Girls as a marketing tool, an our suggestion to improve it.
• Cookies and Riot Punch - Our resident culinary enthusiast gives your recipes for cookies and alcoholic beverages that will make you forget who you are.

Join us on August 10 at McGann's at 197 Portland St. Boston,Ma. for our release party, featuring TDIF staff DJ'ing, legendary Boston Ska band The Allstonian and more to come. Doors are at 8:30 just in time for kickoff of New England Revolution at Sporting KC. $5 dollar cover and strictly 21+.

Issue 1 will be available on our website for purchase and shipping worldwide.

Facebook Event Page

TDIF Is Going Retro

Guttenberg may roll over in his grave if he hears this, The Drug Is Football will be launching a print edition.

Yes. A print edition.

I have been talking about doing a print edition for well over a year with some the people associated with TDIF and we're finally ready to move forward.

Initially we are planning to be on a biennial schedule with our first full color issue coming out this coming July. As stated previously I wanted to take the blog to a more magazine like site about soccer in New England, and the US with the addition of articles on life, culture, music, style etc. and this is part of that plan. We obviously have our roots in punk rock culture, and the 'zine was once a very important aspect of that, and is making a comeback and we're happy to be part of that.

I am happy to say that I have some of my favorite minds on soccer in New England on board to contribute. Content-wise we will be going big picture concepts on New England and MLS soccer with that taking the half of our magazine, and the style, art, culture, life, music element taking the other half along with some consistent columns. Expect it to be irreverent, niche and critical as this blog has always been. We have a few things up our sleeves for this and I can assure you that there will be a good party for the release of our first issue. We'll be keeping you all updated on the progress as we go along.

I'm Not Excited About The Revolution...

...but I am excited for the 2013 season.

I know, mind blown right?

Let me explain a bit.

Last year I did not renew my season tickets. I felt that continuing on as a season ticket holder said that I approved of the actions and record of this team, that I approved of the way myself, friends and fellow supporters were treated through Fortgate, that I thought things were ok. I missed only 3 or 4 games last season, the most I had ever missed since I started avidly going to games. I managed to get plenty of free and discounted tickets and in the long run probably spent about the same on tickets as I would have if I had renewed.

I really hoped that I would see a change in the team and organization this past season that would make me re-up this season. I have not had that revelation of "Shit I need to get Seasons again!" I thought it might be close with the annual stadium talk around renewal time. Conspiracy theory or not, you cannot discount the fact that stadium talks start up around renewal time every year... you can almost set your watch by it. The Revs were better only marginally last season. Conversation with Jay Heaps got me excited... he said the right things and truly wants to do right by the team but I'm not sold that he knows how or what he is doing. Staff promotions and additions were questionable. The team stagnated in the summer.

We had our annual big attendance in the fall. Why is it that the ticket and marketing staff try to blow their load on 1 or 2 games towards the end of the season? Why isn't that happening all season... especially in the middle when it is most needed, or even gasp... the beginning games of the season. Why aren't we trying to sell people for the long haul of the season? I'm annoyed by the throngs of youth soccer teams, high school kids, and possibly college kids on college night... although I haven't really seen many college kids on college night... That being said if this team is going to build it's abysmal attendance and following they need to get the product in front of more people.

I am less excited about this team than I ever have been. I have not been wowed or excited by any signings thus far. I am unimpressed with the effort to improve this team. The Revolution is my team however through thick or thin. I love the sport, the community and the culture of the sport, and for better or (mostly) worse this is the only game in town that can fulfill that need.

So why am I excited for the season? I am excited for seeing group of friends that I have that revolves around this team on a more regular basis again. I am excited to drink ice cold beers in the hot summer sun, blast punk rock and eat bad for me but delicious tailgate food. I am excited to be the loudest asshole I can possibly be in the Fort, calling people out for not participating, and generally trying to make sure that my group that while small... is louder and better than everyone else. I think when it comes down to it I feel more allegiance to the Rev Army than the Revolution. They are my friends, they have my back and I have theirs, we're more than a supporters group. Somehow being part of our elusive, highly critical and even quite frankly elitist group is all that keeps me going. Somehow that is enough.

Sometimes you just need a reason to keep going.

MLS on NBC x Black Flag

I still can't get over how much I love this ad. Black Flag the iconic hardcore band in an MLS ad. I think it's great, maybe its pandering but as a lover of subculture (especially the punk rock subset), and a lover of soccer, which in it's own right is subculture, I really don't care. Worthy of note is the inclusion of New England supporters and especially the inclusion of the logo of our friends the Midnight Riders.

Those of you uninitiated may just be wonder who the hell Black Flag is... guess what here's a primer...








Black Flag is one of the seminal bands of the early punk and hardcore scene in the United States.  The message of Black Flag is one that helped drive the anti-authority punk rock subculture in the US, and inspired many of the earliest punk band hardcore bands. Started in 1976 in California the band is respected and followed world wide. In 1980 Henry Rollins became he lead singer, Rollins now is well known in his own right as a author, television and radio host.

And because we are a New England based blog... here's Black Flag at UMass Amherst in 1984.

New Beginnings...

We haven't been around much eh? Life gets in the way and things change.

Speaking of changes do you like the new look?

When I started this blog a few years ago I meant to be more of a culture and subculture blog with a soccer tilt. The blog ended up taking a life of it's own and becoming more of a directly New England Revolution centric blog.  I made a point of jumping on stories and adding my own commentary to everything I could rather than just reporting the same thing that every other of the Revs blogs did in the same droll journalistic or wannabe journalistic style (seriously guys... some of you are journalists... most of you aren't... accept your role as a blogger).

So I never meant to be a news site and we more or less became that. TDIF will be trying to get away from the news element this season. We will continue to do commentary on the Revolution, cover major stories and generally be the thorn in the side of the FO whenever possible. We will continue to write about what others won't and we still aren't afraid of offending anyone. We're not looking to buildup the most clicks or views just looking to write something that you want to read and that engages you.

That being said we're are going to take more of a magazine approach rather than newspaper approach.  We'll be doing a lot more articles on music, movies, style, and history of and current culture of the soccer supporter. I'm also going to be open to submissions. If you are interested in submitting an idea or an article get in touch, but overall it must fit within the theme of TDIF, and must not be something we already have in the idea bin. I've always believed in being advertising free, ads are ugly, it muddies the message and then you have to keep them happy, so we will continue to be ad free. Products that may be featured here will not be advertorials but written by us because we like the product

We hope you like the new direction, we'll be tweaking things as we go so bear with us. Thanks to everyone that has been reading our stories and supporting us over the past few years... it has not gone unnoticed. To the haters, those who think it's wrong to have an opinion, and those who think there is no place for criticism... fuck yourselves.

Thanks,

-Brian Smith

You've got to be kidding me BVSC.... (UPDATED)

YOU TOO CAN NOW OWN A PIECE OF A BULLSHIT CLUB!

You know I really wanted to give Boston Victory the benefit of the doubt. I'll be honest I haven't followed them much at all, I know they are not playing this year, and I know that there was some sort of split between Sergia Taborda and some staff that went off to form Boston Real Rams and that's about as much as I've cared or even bothered to find out.

This however this is hilarious... from BVSC's Facebook page.

"YOUR CHANCE TO BECOME A OWNER OF A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM.

"I own a Football Club" is a project to bring Victory Soccer Club to play in a Professional League in the United States of America by the year 2014.

The objective is to build a community where the members can be "Passionate" about their Team and at the same time have a share in the profits. United we can...

Every member will purchase a minimum of one share to be part of this project. Members will receive dividends and will be participating in the decision making of the Club.

When you request to be a OWNER you will receive a comprehensive Business Plan.

If every single one of you purchase one (1) share, BVSC will be playing Professional Soccer next year. And we can bring International Teams to play against BVSC. If you want a Club that you wanna call my Team, here is your change.

Are you 100% VICTORY?

To be a Football Club OWNER,

contact me at: IownaFC@live.com or just press "going" on this event.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/IownaFootballClub/"

Cool so buy into a club that is not playing this year because the owner/coach pissed off his staff... is that included in the business plan? The real kicker is this image however...

 

It would appear that BVSC has stadium plans!! HOLY SHIT SOMEONE IS GOING TO BUILD A REAL SSS! THEY EVEN HAVE MOCK-UPS DONE! THEY ARE SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE REVS!!  Wait what's that....

 Is that a logo? Doesn't look like BVSC's... wait a minute....

...it's a Salvation Army Logo.... on BVSC's mock ups... how could that b.... oh wait... they are stealing images again. Stealing images was bad enough when they were just adjusting them to their own marketing material, now they are using it to hit a sore spot for local soccer fans and scam you.They are not going to build a stadium. BVSC was a failure. My guess is Taborda wants another go but is broke and needs you suckers to buy into his scam. Good luck asshole... you've lost me and any interest or support I might have had for you.

P.S. a beer to whoever can find the original website for this Salvation Army stadium mock up.

UPDATE: This is the Brita Arena in Wiesbaden Germany.  The crest appears to be an old crest for SV Wehen 

 

Thanks to Nora Levy for the heads up on this.

 


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We know we've been quiet recently.  We are working on a relaunch towards the start of the season but going a bit of a different direction. More details to follow....