* Hey LAFC fam, with coronavirus going on and all of us are locked up at home, I'm going to attempt to write a few blogs, so we can all get our LAFC fix. We all miss LAFC games, watch parties, tailgates, and all of our LAFC family. But we all need to stay home and be safe. Hopefully this can help my fellow LAFC supporters.
When I originally had the idea of "The LAFC Punk" I really wanted to do a podcast. But due to the fact I do not own my own personal laptop (I often write these blogs on my phone in a coffee shop), I did not own any eqiupment (except for a mic, thank you Portland Paul, I desire to use it so bad), and I had no idea how to record a podcast, I never was able to do a podcast. My vision for the podcast was to of course cover LAFC but I also wanted to cover the cross cultures of punk music/culture and football. I also wanted to interview the people behind the 3252, which I have already done on this blog. I first had the passion to do a LAFC/Punk podcast way back to the beginning of the 2018 season. But like I said I did not really have the resources, I even had a opening song for the podcast; "The Drug is Football" by Vanilla Muffins.
Even though I was never able to do the podcast, we LAFC fans/supporters are extremely fortunate to have a a lot amazing podcast that we are able to listen to and I'm going to do a review on each one. I've been very blessed and privileged to get to become friends with a few of the people who do these wonderful podcast and have had my voicemails and have called in to one of them (Heart of LAFC) and still working on being on Shoulder to Shoulder podcast, and for any other podcast, even a non LAFC podcast I'm willing to be on any podcast, to discuss football, punk rock or both, just DM me. I think one of the most impressive and great things about all these LAFC podcast, is that it's an LAFC Podcast family, hence the LAFC Pod Fam (which I desired to be part of). There is no rivalry among the other podcast, in fact they mention each other and their own podcast and will even have each other on as guests. Sometimes if you are walking through Christmas Tree Lane during a tailgate you will see, Filly, The Scarf, Josef, Jerry, among others having beers together and just having a great time before a match, trust me it happens because I've been among the group talking about our love and passion for LAFC.
The first podcast I want to mention is "Heart of LAFC" podcast, the reason why I picked them first is because they are the Godfathers, the forefathers, the grand daddies of the podcast, Heart of LAFC was the first LAFC podcast, they having been doing shows way before LAFC even took the field, even before the Banc was built, they were their when the team was announced at LA Union Station they were there when the stadium was being built, they were there when Diego Rossi scored the first goal against the Sounders, they were on the field for the Supporters Shield trophy presentation, and they are still cover our beloved LAFC now. Jerry Jimenez and Josef Zacher are the host of the original LAFC podcast. Both Jerry and Josef are very well spoken and give incredible insight to everything LAFC. Heart of LAFC you can always depend on to get perspective from two guys who have a true passion for LAFC and for football. Josef is truly the guru of all things football (soccer), he knows the history of MLS and he could most likely tell you about a player, playing for a 4th division club in England. Josef and Jerry do an outstanding job at breaking down each match, and giving a honest and unbiased opinion on the club. One segment I enjoy that I've been part of is taking voicemails. Lately they have been doing their podcast live on YouTube on Monday nights, but if you can't watch the live YouTube feed the show is uploaded for you to listen on your way to work the next morning. On a side note I've been fortunate to become friends with Jerry and Josef, if you ever see them at Christmas Tree lane or at the Banc, say hi to them they'll always take time to talk about LAFC.
If you grew up the Los Angeles area there were two great morning great morning rock shows; Mark and Brian on KLOS and Kevin and Bean on KROQ, Filly and the Scarf are the LAFC version of those great radio jockeys. Filly and the Scarf are two friends who are season seat holders, who sit next to each other and have a wonderful podcast. Of all the podcasts this is the only one that I've been listening to since episode 1, and I haven't missed a podcast since the beginning. Defenders of the Banc, is a fun family friendly podcast, that's great to listen on your way to the Banc. Of course they give game reviews that are always great, but they also have great regular segments. One segment that's always fun is; "Today (this week) in LAFC history", I'm one of the few that miss this week in LA sports history, being that I'm also a fan of the; Kings, Dodgers, Lakers and Rams. Filly and the Scarf are always fun and entertaining, and give wonderful insight on all things LAFC. They also have great guests on their show, from people who are part of the 3252 to players. Also if you ever at the tailgate they have their own tent, and always take time to talk to the millions and millions of their fans (oh yea I love their wrestling references being a a long time wrestling fan myself). They usually do a podcast as soon as they get home from a match at the Banc or right after they get home from whatever watch party they attended from a road match (us Empire Boys are still waiting for you guys to come out to one of our parties). They always have great post game reaction to every match. Even now during our coronavirus lock down they are doing podcasts, which we all truly appreciate. Defenders of the Banc also have the occasional guest, which have included players, front office staff, musicians, and other LAFC supporters. This is a podcast for the entire family, Filly and the Scarf are the morning radio DJs of LAFC.
Shoulder to Shoulder podcast, is a podcast that's not so much about the football and the club, but Shoulder to Shoulder is a podcast that's by the supporters, about the supporters. I love this podcast it's kind of what I had in my mind for the podcast I wanted to do. The guys that host Shoulder to Shoulder represent a variety of SGs of the 3252, in fact one of them Jonathan aka boozeology I have interviewed. Speaking of Jonathan, he has such an amazing vocabulary and should be a professional speaker. Shoulder to Shoulder gets to know those of us who support the club we all love and adore; LAFC. They interview a variety of people who are part of the 3252, along with others who are part of the LAFC family. Shoulder to Shoulder podcast truly represents how the LAFC fan base, is not just a fan base for a professional sports team, but we are a family. They close every single podcast by asking the guest or guests; "What does Shoulder to Shoulder mean to you'? Well here's my answer; oh wait you'll just have to wait until I'm a guest on their wonderful podcast.
FCFC, if you are looking for a podcast in which they go deep into the play on the field and break down each pass, goal, substitution; this is not the podcast for you. I love this podcast, the guys of FCFC, go into the sub cultures of football. One of the many great things about the sport we all love is there are so many cultures and sub cultures that love the same sport, yet we all have other things we love and we can combine those things with football. They hang out in a backyard in Expo Park and interview a variety of guests who are LAFC supporters, but they also have other passions; such as, music, art, food, and even tea (I really want to try some tea). One sub culture they haven't interviewed anyone on, is punk music and football (I know someone if you're looking, I know his schedule too). Now this is not a podcast to listen to around your kids or around those who do not care for foul language, sorry guys I don't have you on when my daughters (5 and 7 years old) are in the car, they do mention this at the beginning of each podcast, but like I said it's a great podcast.
The Counter Press Podcast is probably the most in depth analyst you will hear. The hosts of the podcast break down everything. They do two separate post podcast on every match. The Counter Press will do a instant reaction to each match, then a couple days later they will do a very in depth analyst on the previous match. These guys do a spectacular job on their analyst of matches. In my opinion these two guys should be hired by a team to break down each game and to scout the next team they will be playing. So if you're a high school, college, or pro club you should hire these guys.
Inside LAFC is a great name for this podcast. This podcast is hosted by the TV voice of LAFC Max Bretos and Vince La Rosa the head writer (a dream job of my) for LAFC, as well as the on field post interviewer at LAFC home matches, along with doing some great digital work for LAFC. So these two guys truly have inside scope for everything LAFC. Max and Vince are a great team, they truly cover LAFC in every way. Max and Vince cover what's going on, on and off the field, along with great guests and interviews. Inside LAFC is another great podcast you can listen to in the car as a family on your way to the Banc to see LAFC or listen to on your headphones on the Metro on the way to the Banc, which is something I've done. Max has been covering the beautiful game for a while now, in fact I once heard him say he called a Gold Cup Final between Canada and Colombia, on a very rainy day at the LA Coliseum, I was at that match. Both Max and Vince have great knowledge on football throughout the whole world.
Now this podcast is not a podcast it's a awesome YouTube channel, these guys and gal blow me away by what they are doing. Please check out their channel, I have the link right below their logo. Not only does their content blow me away, which entertaining, great highlights, they even go eat cheese steaks and tacos. But the team of 110 football are high school age kids. These guys have such a great future ahead of them. I can't wait for the season to continue, so these guys can continue to do more videos. Keep up the great work guys.
In closing in no way do I think any of these podcast are more better than another podcast, they are all unique in their own way, and the is a podcast for LAFC fan. Thank you to all you guys who do these podcasts, and to those who I'm already friends with thank you for friendship, for those I haven't met yet I look forward to meeting you and striking a friendship.
This blog is dedicated to the loving memory of the "Are We LAFC" podcast, the most foul mouthed honest LAFC podcast there was, we miss you...
First off sorry it's been a while since I've written a blog I've had a lot of personal stuff right now which is my main focus right now. But once things are settled there will be a lot more content. Thanks again for all the feedback and positive response I'm truly blown away.
A few months back I went to a LA Kings game, before the game I bumped into Sean Parkita a member and leader of the 3252 LAFC supporter Tigers Suppers Group. Then as the game started of all the 18'000 seats in Staples Center we ended up sitting right next to each other, so I decided to interview him, in between the 1st and 2nd periods. But before I do that I'd like to write about a LA sports legend, who we tragically lost on Sunday January 26, 2020; Kobe Bryant.
It's crazy that my blog that is a tribute to the great Kobe Bryant is a interview with Sean Parkita, who is a huge Kobe Bryant fan. Something about Sean not only is he a LAFC supporter, he is one of the biggest LA sports fans you will ever meet. Not only is he a big LAFC supporter; Sean loves the; Lakers, Kings, Rams and Dodgers. Kobe Bryant was a huge influence and a hero to Sean, so Sean I'm sorry for the loss of one of your heroes, I find it fitting that the blog featuring is also features and is tribute to your hero Kobe Bryant, I hope and pray this will help and heal the pain you're going through.
In 1996 I graduated from high school, that same year the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Kobe Bryant from the Charlotte Hornets, right after the Hornets drafted Bryant the Lakers traded Vlade Divac. I remember here's this kid who just graduated high school like myself and he's going off to play for the Lakers and I'm going to go work at KMart. Growing up in the Los Angeles area, the Lakers are a huge part of Los Angeles, and I grew up watching the Showtime Lakers, and since the early 90's the Lakers were just no longer that dominant club we all knew. Then came Kobe, and a lot of us Lakers fans, saw something in this kid, that we knew was going to bring the Laker legacy back to the NBA. His first few seasons in the league were rocky. Then the Lakers moved to Staples Center in 1999, and for the first 3 years, the Lakers were in Staples Center the Lakers were NBA Champions. I'm not going to go in great detail about his career, mainly because this is a LAFC blog, but Kobe was LA. I think one of my favorite Kobe Bryant moments was game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers. At one point the Lakers were down 16 points. The Lakers came back and of course won the game, but what sealed the deal was a alley-oop pass from Kobe to Shaq to but the game away. I remember watching that in the living and just jumping off the couch screaming.
Other than graduating high school the same year as Kobe, another way I was able to relate was that he was a father of daughters. I myself have to beautiful, amazing daughters. I heard Kobe interviewed and he mentioned how he wanted all daughters, and being a dad to daughters was the best thing. I have to completely agree with that, I always wanted daughters, in fact it was in 7th grade English class that I had my first daughter's name picked out; Gloria, named after my Grandma. He was a huge fan of women's sports. After I had daughters I pay much more attention to women's sports. I remember watching the US Women's hockey team win the gold medal game with my daughter and she told me; "Daddy I want to be like those girls and win a gold medal." She often asks me if we can go to a women's sporting game, perhaps this year I'll take her to a Sparks game. I'm also hoping to see the NWSL, come to Los Angeles. I find it so heart breaking that his daughter Gigi lost her life as well along with 7 others. But as tragic as it was, I can't bear to think how Gigi would had been without her dad, of all his daughters she was the most like him, they had a special bond and they both had a love for basketball and drive to be the best. RIP to all of those who lost their lives that day.
So like I had mentioned earlier this season I was at a Kings game and I bumped into Sean Parkita of the the LAFC supporter group Tigers Supporter Group (side note we've also bumped into each other at a Dodgers game as well). I was in my old season seats which a friend has now, in section 308 (right below the Lakers banners and jerseys), where I've been sitting for around 17 years. We ended up sitting right next to each other, so I interviewed during the 1st intermission. During the game and the dance cam they showed a guy in the crowd who had lots of passion, Sean and I joked around and said we should go recruit him for the 3252. We also both agreed that there's nothing better in LA than being at a LAFC game in the 3252. Now if you've ever been to a LAFC tailgate on Christmas Tree lane you either know Sean or have seen him running around having a great time with his fellow LAFC supporters. Sean is part of TSG, a Korean LAFC supporter group. This is something that's so awesome about the 3252 family, we have all races, groups, girls, guys, we are one giant family. I've said it before my SG (Empire Boys) is my immediate family, while the other SG are like cousins, I call TSG my Korean cousins. Like I said there are not too many people who loves their Los Angeles sports teams more than Sean, follow him on instagram TSG_Parkita and you will see that. The interview was short, mainly because we were in Staples Center; the house that Kobe built.
LAFC Punk: Introduce your self real quick
Sean: My name is Sean TSG Parkita, part of Tigers Supporters Group
LAFC Punk: What got you into football?
Sean: My family has always watched the Korean National Team, my first real football memory would be the Brandi Chastain game, in 1999 so that would be my first real dive into football, what really made it for me was the 2002 World Cup and that was it, so ever since then it's been a very interesting journey to LAFC.
LAFC Punk: Usually I write out my questions but we just happened to be sitting next to each other at Staples, so I'm just thinking of questions on top of my head. What SG are you part of?
Sean: TSG, TSG stands for Tigers Supporters Group, the reason why we picked Tigers is because the Tiger real close to Korea culture, it's basically the national animal of Korea, I'm actually not sure about the truth of this statement, but it's very close to the hearts of Korean people.
LAFC Punk:
Do you have any role in TSG?
Sean: I just became part of the leadership of TSG recently so everything is kind of new on how things are run, it's very fun. I'm here for the long haul.
LAFC Punk:
Being that we are at a LA Kings game, we can testify, as I sit here I'm thinking; "I'd rather be in the 3252 right now. What makes a LAFC game different than any other LA sporting event?
Sean:
Being in the North End has given me a perspective that I can't argue with, like the 3252 is probaly the best thing in Los Angeles at a sporting event, right now. When you're in there you feel this passion and if you do it right the passion comes out of you, you feel it through out your whole body, I know that's a weird way to put it. It's almost tribal, it's like family you have a sense of connection with everyone, not only your city but also the people you stand with. It's like a community, but it's more than that.
LAFC Punk:
I heard recently that there is going to be a new Korean chant, do you have any information on that (side note this took place on October 17, 2019)
Sean:
We are working on it and that's all I'm going to say.
LAFC Punk:
What does being part of the 3252 mean to you?
Sean:
That's a deep question to ask at a Kings game. But in the beginning I just wanted to see whats it was all about. When we started playing in 2018 I started going to all the games, I started to dive into the culture, when I started realizing what it was it became everything to me. My life no longer revolves around the Kings anymore, it revolves around LAFC now.
LAFC Punk:
I'm the exact same way.
Sean:
It's kind of funny, it's not just us, it's like that within the entire North End and the LAFC community, I've meet so many people who have said the same thing, about the Kings, Dodgers, Lakers, but now LAFC has taken that, it's kind of funny how that works.
First and foremost to whoever it was that approached me in the 3252 after LAFC finally beat Carson at the playoff match and encouraged me to write more, thank you. I know we met briefly at a tailgate but this blog is dedicated you and all of us who support LAFC.
In my first blog I talked about how I became a LAFC supporter. But this blog I will be writing about why we love LAFC. The reason why I say "we" instead of why "I" love LAFC is because on Instagram and on my SG (Empire Boys) slack page I asked why you love and support LAFC. In fact on Instagram I used it as a opportunity to get a free Supporters Shield patch, and trust me I wish I had more to giveaway and not sell them for $25 like other people. So this blog is for the LAFC family, and I will talk about how we are truly like family when it comes to fellow LAFC supporters.
I started following LAFC as soon as I heard the announcement of the club after Chivas USA folded, and I remember getting emails and updates with the logo above. Now despite what many Galaxy supporters claim, that all LAFC supporters are old Chivas USA supporters it's not true, yes I am one of them, but to be honest it's a lot smaller than most people think, and yes I know and understand two of our largest supporter groups; Black Army and District 9 Ultras are formerly Chivas USA supporters, but most LAFC supporters are actually new to MLS and had never supported any MLS club, in fact I've met around the same amount of former Galaxy supporters than I met former Chivas USA supporters.
Since I mentioned Chivas USA I guess I have to talk about them (yes I know it's a white elephant amongst LAFC supporters) since it's a club I use to support and even had mini ticket plans for when they were around. Now the first football club I started following back in around 1998 was Chivas de Guadalajara, because it's the area of Mexico my grandpa came from. So when Chivas USA entered MLS I jumped on board, and man were they were bad in their first season, I mean real bad worse than Cincinnati FC, Chivas USA finished their first season with a 4-22-6 record good for only 18 points and a goal differential of -36, the leading goal scorer Hector Cuadros had only 4 goals. Yeah it was bad, I went to the first match against DC United if memory serves me correct, it was 2-0 loss. That first season was embarrassing, but I stuck with the club. In 2006 the club got a new coach Bob Bradley (sound familiar) and the club got rid of the B squad of the Guadalajara club and brought in some great young players like; Brad Guzan, Jonathan Bornstien, Sacha Kljestan, and a proven MLS goal scoring veteran Ante Razov. This was a fun exciting club to watch I was there when they beat the Galaxy for the first time, and yes the Galaxy dominated this rivalry. In fact I had a 10 game package, but Bob Bradley completely changed the club. Bob was so great he won coach of the year and was only there one season because he went to go coach the US Men's National Club. Chivas USA went on to have a couple more good years under Preki. But the team ownership became a joke, and the club had very small support. Which is why I say there are not many former Chivas USA supporters who are LAFC supporters, because let's be honest there was not that many of us. Perfect example I would buy a general admission ticket and then go sit any where I wanted in the stadium, normally behind the team benches, most nights there would be around 10'000 people there, except for the Galaxy then the Galaxy supporters would pack out the stadium. Oh yea Chivas USA played in the Home Depot Center, the home of the Galaxy, Chivas USA was pretty much the unwanted house guest that no one wanted around. Long story short Chivas USA folded in 2014, it was time. But enough about Chivas USA, and yes I had great times watching them, in 2007-2008 they had some great matches against the David Beckham Galaxy.
Now for the whole reason for this article; "Why We Love LAFC". Like I previously mentioned I started following this club the minute I heard MLS announce they would be entering the league. Like most other Los Angeles area soccer fans I use to go to Galaxy games especially back in the Rose Bowl days, but when the club moved to Home Depot Center in Carson there seemed to be a disconnect with the fans, and I'm not the only one to think this, I've talked to several other people who felt the same way, I thought I was the only one. Once they made the announcement of a new Los Angeles MLS club actually playing in the city of Los Angeles I along with many other football (soccer) fans in Los Angeles were excited. Also when I heard the stadium was going to be in Exposition Park I loved the idea. In fact I use to tell people that I wished Chivas USA could get the money to tear down the old LA Sports Arena and build a soccer specific stadium, I always felt a soccer team right there could be huge. Well jump ahead to 2018 and we have Banc of California Stadium and LAFC.
The first match in LAFC history took place on March 4, 2018 in Seattle against the Sounders. Seattle has always been a tough place to play and a tough place to win a road game, Seattle has some of the most passionate supporters in MLS and usually have around 40'000 fans at their matches. Well as all us LAFC supporters know, in the 11th minute Diego Rossi scored the first goal against the Sounders. I remember watching this game and what stood out the most is not what I saw but what I heard. Here this is the first game in franchise history and you could LAFC supporters in the crowd in Seattle. The following month LAFC finally got to have a home match, also against Seattle, and we know how that ended.
In a very short period LAFC had taken the city of Los Angeles bye storm, they became the hottest ticket in town. On July 15, 2018 I finally made it to a match. This day made me not just a fan but a true supporter, I was blown away by the atmosphere at the Banc, it was like everything I've ever heard about matches in Europe and Latin America, especially the 3252. The second I got home I researched to see if there were any Supporter groups where I live in the Inland Empire, and I found out about the Empire Boys. Right away I started going to every watch party I could, and I found a whole new brother/sisterhood. Then on October 12, 2018 my life would change forever, I got a ticket in the 3252 and joined the Empire Boys for 90 minutes of chanting, jumping and passion. Now this game I attended is known as the "rain delay game". It was amazing to be at, in fact the players and Bob Bradley mentioned the 3252 in the press conference interviews. Now I am an official member of the 3252 and the Empire Boys.
I'm in there (October 24, 2019 vs Galaxy)
My Empire Boys/Girls Family
Now for some of the reasons why I love LAFC. I'm going to try to make it short so that way I can use all the quotes I got from some of you, thank you so much. For me being a LAFC supporter is a lot more than just the football as Bob Bradley says. When you're a fan/supporter of LAFC you are family, and if you go to the tailgates you will truly experience this. I look at it like this the 3252 is family, Empire Boys are my immediate family (brothers, sisters, we have moms, dads). The other Supporter Groups are your other family like your cousins and aunts and uncles. I've been able to become friends with so many others from other SG, along with others at the tailgate like Defenders of the Banc podcast. If you are hungry someone will feed you if you want a beer trust me you will get a beer, if you just want to laugh and hang out you will find that. Then inside the stadium you can walk around and just keep bumping into friends you make at the games. I recently took a co-worker of my to a game, he told me he felt like he was hanging out with a celebrity walking around with me, and yes I even got us free beer, thank you Inland Element. Well there's all that and it's also that this club from the front office (shout out to LAFC Rich, I think everyone knows him), the players, the ushers, and your fellow supporters we all love LAFC, win, lose or draw we will continue to sing, chant, jump and support our club. I've seen every professional team in LA and the LA area, and there's nothing like going to a LAFC game, if you haven't gone, just go, you'll love it.
Alright now to use some of your great quotes, thank you again to all of you who sent me messages...
The first quote comes from my fellow Empire Boy brother Tye. I'm picking him first because him and his family all love LAFC. If you have ever attended a Empire Boys watch party you will definitely know his kids, I'm pretty sure they will be capos one day. His older daughter is the youngest of the 90+ minute pin club (90+ minute pin goes to the person at the game or watch party who shows the most passion, I tried for it at the playoff against Carson, but I'll take the win over them). Tye is also a member of the 90+ minute club, he's also a great loving guy, so Tye thanks for your quote and brotherhood, you and your family are amazing.
Tye Macias
I guess a quick answer for me is Shoulder to Shoulder! I love the team itself but it wouldn't be the same without the 3252
(Instagram california_kid) He's also one of the winners of the patches I gave away
Honestly when they first announced Carlos Vela it seemed right to support the team because of him, since I'm Mexican. But if you ask me now who my favorite player is, I couldn't really tell you. I've fallen love with the club, the colors and what it represents. I feel I found something I can finally belong to.
(Instagram kevin_andre_)
I support LAFC because they brought the worlds game to the greatest city. Their community outreach is world class.
(Empire Brother Tyler Pardee)
It's the fan experience for anyone and everyone who enters! The game is great,but you'll find great teams across the world. I think the players would agree that the North End is the amazing piece of the game.
(Instagram omar.3722)
I support LAFC because I really feel like this team is like a family. The supporters are amazing, they are so passionate in this team, I've never seen something like it.
I've never supported a MLS team like this one because none are like this great club!
I've been with this team since the first match, I was ecstatic when we won our match! I went crazy when Vela broke Martinez's record, and when we won the Supporters Shield. When we win the MLS Cup, I'm going to yell and yell because we're the best team!
I don't support this team because of the "bandwagon", I support it because it is like a family.
(Instagram juan_rodriguez482)
I support LAFC born and raised in LA. The passion the connection between players and fans and the love of the sport.
(Instagram diegochinchilla_)
I support LAFC because ever since I was small I was a chivas USA fan, and when they disappeared I was sad. I knew better than to become a galaxy fan though, so I waited patiently for something new to pop up in LA. Once LAFC came around, I instantly became a fan without thinking twice about it. Now I follow them!
(Instagram stevelamas)
I support LAFC because they're more than just another football club. They care about the community and the community cares about the club.
(Instagram glass6969)
I support lafc because I was a galaxy supporter for 20+ years but I got tired of the “old” coaching, “old” players and “old” style of futbol. Lafc has breathed new life into LA futbol and it’s amazing to be part of the attacking style and thrilling fan base! I’m all in!
(Instagram armando_mtzz) another winner of a patch
I support LAFC because growing up in the United States, I was jealous of the passion that some of the biggest European teams and never thought I would experience it until LAFC was established.
Last quote comes from one of our great Empire Boys leaders, I picked this to close out because it made me laugh, and for those of you who watched the ESPN+ documentary on LAFC or ever watched a Bob Bradley interview you'll love this quote.
Edgar Rivera
Bob and his ideas of good football!
Thanks again to everyone. And please reach out to me on my Twitter and Instagram. If you have a podcast I'm down to being on. I'm writing this on October 27, 2019; two days after our playoff victory over the Carson Galaxy and two days before our Western Conference Final against the Seattle Sounders. Win or lose we will forever support LAFC,
At a recent LAFC pregame tailgate I had the privilege of sitting down with one of the host of the LAFC podcast Shoulder to Shoulder; Jonathan Reimer aka boozeology (on Instagram). We as LAFC supporters are very fourtunite to have so many great podcast to listen to (I'm planning on doing a blog on the LAFC podcasts), and Shoulder 2 Shoulder is one of them. Now through going to tailgates and through social media I've been able to have a friendship with so many other LAFC supporters (we are like family) and Jonathan is one of them. It was a fun interview we actually sat down at the Defenders of the Banc podcast (shout out to Filly and the Scarf) table/tent, and we even had El Cantrin Muerto stop by during the interview. We each drinking a beer I had a Mango Cart Ale and during the interview you'll hear what Jonathan was drinking. This was a fun interview I hope all of you enjoy it.
LAFC Punk: How were you introduced to football?
Boozeology: So football to me was something I discovered when I was 7 years old I was sitting in my grandparents living room, my grandparents were from Germany. When I was 7 years old there was a World Cup it was 1990. Germany happened to go pretty far that year, in fact we took the Cup home that year, so I remember as a 7 year old kid sitting in my grandpa's smokey living room, while he was drinking some beer smoking cigarettes and yelling at the TV screen in German which I didn't understand, but we were watching that World Cup and as Germany was advancing through the World Cup and ended up in the Final and won the Final, the family parties got bigger and the food got bigger and more traditional. I remember for the Final my grandmother made this crazy German feast with red kraut, blue kraut and sour kraut and all the traditional German fixings and the whole family getting together and the excitement of Germany winning the World Cup. That was my introduction to the beautiful game.
LAFC Punk: That's kind of like how I grew up with my dad going to LA Kings games he had season seats since 1972 so for me I was raised on Kings hockey.
Next question. What drew you to LAFC?
Boozeology: Well when I was first a soccer fan in Southern California I actually and shamefully admit I was drawn to the Galaxy because it was the first professional team we had here in Los Angeles, but I quickly realized the people and the culture affiliated with the fan base much of everything affiliated with it just didn't gel with me, culturally opposed to how I felt it was a lot of school European people i never really gravitated to those people I was raised in California I never felt like I was a European kid living in California I felt like a Californian, so much of the Galaxy fans back then were all English people who had first moved here, so they felt as if they were first generation English Americans. There was a lot of intolerance there was a lot of violence there was a lot of bigotry back in that day and none of that appealed to me, so I was drawn to Chivas USA when they came into the league. So I rooted for Chivas USA for a bit, but when they disbanded I stopped following MLS for a little bit. I would pay a little attention to what the Galaxy were doing and I felt like Los Angeles had a connection to soccer through them. But when I heard that LAFC was going to happen I signed up that second and I haven't looked back since.
LAFC Punk: That's very similar to me. How were you introduced to supporter group culture and which supporter group are you part of?
Boozeology: I'm a member of the District 9 Ultras, although I didn't make that decision until a few games into season 1, my roommate and best friend and I who originally bought two season tickets together he ended up starting a family and moving to San Diego and I ended up with the tickets, bummer (sarcastically). He and I wanted to wait and see what was going to manifested physically inside the stadium that ideas and history and that kind of stuff carried some weight. But the ultimate decision would could down to those first few games; who showed up, who participated, who brought the energy, and who brought that environment that we wanted to be part of. So we knew about the Union Ultras from back in the Chivas USA days, so I knew Julio, Rey and Lord Commander those were recognizable figures back then and also from Black Army, with people like Joespsh and stuff like that. But we gave it a clean slate, then 3 games into the first season it was very clear to us that D9U was the place and culture for us. It was the people and the vibe we gelled with the best with us. It was a hard choice, because we loved everyone we met. But when it came down to the easiest culture that we fit into it was D9 for us. We loved the concept of 90 minutes and that time they were the loudest and most vocal, most active group and that's what we were looking for.
LAFC Punk: I actually almost joined Black Army back in the Chivas USA days, but I was living in Upland at the time and the drive back and forth from Upland to Carson was just to far to make that kinds of a commitment. So one of the reasons why I joined Empire Boys last year is because they are the closest to me. I love it especially for viewing parties.
Next question, this should be a fun one; explain a day game tailgate...
Boozeology: Ah man if you've never to a game day tailgate I mean this is the sound your hearing (just imagine music, laughing, people having a fun time), this is one of the best things about LAFC the family extends into a very social atmosphere it's indescribable if you've never been here. I've been to many tailgates for different sports. Every single group sets up there own station and you don't see people with other groups mingling. But this is one giant tailgate where everyone is part of every tent (side note I can testify to this being true, I've become friends with people from almost every SG, and never leave a tailgate hungry or without free drinks). It a experience that people are not use to seeing, it's family, it's social, but it's very interactive, everyone has merchandise, everyone has food, everyone has drinks, everyone from kids to adults are welcome, everyone is accepted of everyone else, if you've never been here for a LAFC tailgate it's unlike anything else of any other sporting event you will see.
LAFC Punk: I see you drinking a Stone Cold Steve Austin IPA (Broken Skull IPA). Which I've been wanting to try because I'm a Stone Cold Steve Austin fan. (As soon as I finished saying this El Cantrin walked up)
LAFC Punk: This is going to be a tough question for you. What is your favorite beer?
Boozeology: Oh gosh that's a real hard question! I mean to preface I've been drinking beer since I was 1 years old (we do not encourage this), I proudly will display the picture of me chugging a beer on my first birthday. Beer is something in my family is part of my family's culture and history it's not then heathen drink that most Americans look at it. It's just simply part of family and life and culture and is more integrated as many people see it. Beer to me is very different than other people see it. I have a terrible answer to this, but it's the most honest answer that I can give. I can;t pick out just one favorite beer, but I'll give you 5 favorite beers...
1. My first beer that I ever had.
2. The beer that I had the greatest experience drinking, which had nothing to do that was in the glass, but had everything to do with the people around me.
3. The beer in which someone gave me and it was a hard felt meaningful gift and when I opened it up and drank it, it spoke to our friendship.
4. The one beer that I bought and saved and cherished and held onto for the longest time until I opened it up and drank it.
5. And finally the beer that I'm drinking right now.
LAFC Punk: That's awesome! Well being that you know beer well, what is the best beer you can get at the Banc?
Boozeology: The beers at Banc of California, so I have to be 100% honest I have not seen one second from any LAFC game but anywhere but the North End, so my beer drinking experience at the Banc have been very very limited I have not seen what all the bars here at the Banc have to offer. But my go to beer when I'm here watching sports is the larger style because it's light it's crisp it's refreshing, it's not too heavy and here at the Banc have to be dos xx, because it's my favorite Mexican beer to have at a sporting event. If you do get a chance to go to the fields which has a wonderful selection of local craft brew selection and try any of the beers from Dry Creek Brewing Company, it's a locally owned, female owned and operated, Belgium style beer and they do great work. What I'm drinking now is from one of my favorite brewing companies here in LA El Segundo Brewing, this is there Steve Austin Broken Skull IPA, but if you ever have a chance to try anything from El Segundo get a IPA they make great IPA's.
LAFC Punk: Yes Austin 3:16 says; I just whopped your ass! You've mentioned your a Dodger fan, what makes going to a LAFC game more special than any other Los Angeles team?
Boozeology: The one thing that separates LAFC from every other LA team is what we are looking at right in front of us. It's the 3252, there is nothing, nothing in Los Angeles with the exception of Pantone 294, but even they are not the same as the 3252, they don't have there own designated space they don't have drums, they don't have the flags and everything the 3252 is. If you've never experienced that moment of being among the 3252 and the energy and whirlpool of culture and so much passion and energy, it's indescribable until you experience it learn your first Spanish chant, you're there screaming on the top of your lungs saying words you may not understand, but words that resonate with this culture and community it's unlike any other experience you will have in Los Angeles.
LAFC Punk: Final question, in your podcast you end with the question what does Shoulder to Shoulder mean to you? (By the way I'd love to be on your podcast sometime). My last question is always what does being part of the 3252 mean to you?
Boozeology: It means that there are 3251 people who have my back no matter what! It doesn't matter who I vote for, it doesn't matter who I pray to, it doesn't matter who I work for, doesn't matter where my money goes, all that matters is that for 90 minutes I surrender to something more passionate and powerful than I can be by myself. So as long as your willing to pay that price for 90 minutes of your passion, these people will do anything and be anything for you, they will support you through the heaviest things a person could experience and could speak to that and they will stand with you through the lightest and heaviest of moments and that's exactly what you can get from a friend and if your a 3252 member you just gained 3251 friends.
This blog is the first of many that I'm planning on writing which are interviews of behind the scenes of the 3252. As I mentioned in a previous blog, the 3252 is the supporter group of LAFC, and within the 3252 there are a variety of LAFC supporter groups throughout southern California. As I mentioned as well, living in the Inland Empire I'm part of the Empire Boys. The first person I decided to interview was a founding member and one of the leaders of the Empire Boys Guillermo Melendez aka Willy, everyone who knows him, knows him as Willy. I chose Willy as the first to be interviewed because first he's part of the same SG I'm proudly part of, and he was one the first I met in the group and we hit it off right away, with our love for football and punk music, but as we sat down for the interview I found out we had more in common. Willy is also one of the supporters who was inspired to start the famous; "Call to Arms" chant that is done by pretty much the entire Banc of California Stadium, at LAFC matches. We decided to meet up at the Titled Kilt in Rancho Cucamonga (the sight of one of the best viewing parties I've ever attended last season), to grab a bite to eat and a cold beer. I hope you enjoy this. I really would like to interview someone from each support group, I really want to focus on supporter group culture in this blog.
LAFC Punk: How were you introduced to football?
Willy: My dad, he was a America (Club America) supporter, ever since he could remember he was a America supporter, football was in my blood.
LAFC Punk: What is your first football memory?
Willy: It's weird because I sill work in Fullerton, it was at Cal State Fullerton, it was America practicing there, I don't think they played there but they practiced there.
LAFC Punk: What year was this?
Willy: 93 I was probably 10 years old, I always played it, but to go watch professional players I was around 10 years old. Yeah one of my favorite players was Zague from Brazil, he was awesome he ran like a f***in gazelle, his head would move around like a gazelle.
LAFC Punk: What was first supporter group experience?
Willy: Club America, just going to watch them at the Rose Bowl against the Galaxy or some other Mexican League team and we would always go watch them, and just listening to the chants was just awesome. Personally that was the first thing, but seeing it at the stadium, that was the first time. My dad would always steal cable when we were kids, he had the black box so we would be able to watch English games and Italian games, and you could hear the chants and I was like what the hell is that, that's awesome, that was some of my first experiences with that.
LAFC Punk: To piggy back off the last question what drew you to SG culture?
Willy: Um the anarchy I think, it's very punk rock and grass roots, we don't want people to tell us how to do it, we just want to do it our own way, drink, party, be loud, just being drunk kids. We live our youth when we use to go to shows and s**t like that, just yell at the top of our f***in lungs and then go home and then do it again next week, for me that was it.
LAFC Punk: Yeah for me one thing I like about the 3252, is that we mix the English supporter culture along with the Latin America supporter culture as well, we are like family.
WIlly: Yes it is you turn around and you see tattooed guy and you cholo guys and goth people, skinheads (non racist skinheads), you see everybody and everybody respects everyone.
LAFC Punk: How and when did the Empire Boys get started?
Willy: We got started in 2016, I tried starting a SG in Orange County it was a one time thing we would talk about football, that never worked out. The OC group never really took off, and I was like f**k it, man. Then I don't how exactly I met Pepe I think it was online or something like that, then me and Pepe got together we had a couple of beers, and we said let's try to start a group out here in the Inland Empire, and we met Izzy and James and a couple other dudes. The first time we all got together it was around 6 guys, that would be James, Pepe, Izzy, and myself and a couple other guys. We met right here at Lamppost pizza in Corona, no there was a bar close by then we moved over to lamppost, and it kind of took off from there and we just said let's see what happens. We didn't take it too serious at first it was just kind of a hang out, drinking and watch football sord of thing.
LAFC Punk: Explain the Empire Boys...
Willy: So the logo has a lot to do with me and Pepe one of our favorite, not really club but ideology behind the the club is St. Pauli from Germany, where everyone is welcome no one is pushed away, it doesn't matter what; race, sex or nationality you are you are welcomed, and that's what we want to be. A lot people talk about but we want to be about it.
LAFC Punk: Why were you drawn to LAFC?
Willy: That's a good f***in question, um I just never, I just always wanted my own team to support, in MLS but I was never drawn to Chivas USA (being a Club America supporter) or the Galaxy. And when I saw LAFC come out, it had something to do with the name and the colors it had grass roots. They started emailing us I don't how I got on the list to get emails from them, bu they were asking us; what colors do you want, what name do you want, do you guys want a logo. I said you guys can be black white and red (side note I also received stuff like this from the team and I do remember something black and red). I told them it doesn't matter the colors as long as you keep Los Angeles Football Club that was one of my favorite things, that's what drew me to LAFC.
LAFC Punk: Going back to the EB, what is your role with the EB?
Willy: Head beer drinker (laughter), no I'm kidding. I'm the guy who goes to most of the 3252 meetings and deals with away tickets and just kind of knows a little bit of the history of the 3252 and how everything works, I'm kind of the link between the Empire Boys and the 3252.
LAFC Punk: What does being part of the Empire Boys and the 3252 mean to you?
Willy: It means everything, man! I never believed that something so elementary drinking, watching football and hanging out with buddies was going to turn into something so big, it just means a lot more I ever thought it would be.
LAFC Punk: I can completely relate, Empire Boys and the 3252 is like family. I enjoy the viewing parties so much, because I can't afford to go to that many games. I love going to the games especially the tailgates because I've made so many friends within the the 3252, the guys from Defenders of the Banc, Josef from Heart of LAFC, along with others from different SGs. But the viewing parties are cheaper to go to and we have that family atmosphere, I've even called in sick for viewing parties. And the manager that I called in sick to the first time now attends our viewing parties and is a big LAFC fan.
LAFC Punk: What was the inspiration behind the "Call to Arms" chant?
Willy: So I can't take any credit for it, it's a Ajax chant that we took from them, but I just saw something so powerful in that one it was so simple, and everyone could do it, you didn't know what the words are or nothing like that. It was instant man, we talked about, we were drunk at Rowdy's one day, I told the guys listen to this, I started playing it one the drums (by the way Willy is one of our drummers at watch parties), by myself and they caught on, it was a couple of guys who were plastered, and they started doing it.
LAFC Punk: I remember doing it at our first viewing party of the season. Then to the tailgate and finally to the stadium.
Willy: Yes you are correct. What's funny I wasn't there for the first time I was watching America, Izzy texts me; he was so excited, he was like did you hear the chant, did you hear the chant, I was no I'm watching America. And he was like the whole stadium is doing the chant!
LAFC Punk: How did you feel when you heard the entire Banc doing; "Call of Arms"?
Willy: Emotional man straight up emotional that's all I can say.
LAFC Punk: It's become one of the biggest chants! It's I was watching the KTLA morning news and Steven Beitashour was on, and they asked him about the 3252 and the chants and he mentioned him and the club love that chant, it's one of their favorites. I was blown away I was watching going I was there when it was born. And then it was happening at Dodger Stadium on LAFC night.
Willy: Yeah it's just simple and powerful that's what every chant needs to be, just super simple, catchy, powerful and repetitive and that's it.
