It's why club member Mark Concannon, who designs the club's various t-shirts, is wrong when he calls the end zone area where supporters congregate "like the 700 level at the Vet.''
They weren't an organized group, the old 700 level. Yeah they could drink and they could cheer and they could sometimes shout out things that would get you isolation in the state penitentiary.
But they didn't do it non-stop for two halves, they weren't allowed to bring in big drums to keep the noise non-stop, weren't allowed to bring in big banners attached to big sticks and wave them in front of anyone's face they wanted to.
And how about smoke bombs?
That would get you kicked out of even a 700 level seat.
But at PPL Park?
Fu-Runt Row . . .
"We've created what we wanted to here,'' James was saying as we watched an SOB - and yes, the acronym was planned too -- get spray painted head to toe in the team's blue and gold colors, slogans included. "We've created a true hometown Philadelphia feel for a sport that otherwise might have struggled to gain acceptance. Now you have people talking about the impact we have on a match.''
Sometimes that's a good thing. And sometimes, that's a not so good thing. See, the Sons don't just paint themselves blue. They can and will splatter a blue streak all over the brand-new 18,500 capacity, soccer-only stadium, creating quite a contrast between the spectacular panoramic view of the Delaware River and Commodore Barry Bridge behind them, and the noise emanating from the forefront.
Like when the opposing goalie prepares for a goal kick:
"You suck, a-------''
Or this one, sung to the tune of "Yankee Doodle Dandy''
(italics)"C'mon Union, score a goal
It's really very simple
Put the ball into the net
And we'll go (bleeping) mental.'' (end italics)
