Challenge #2: We need more atmosphere

October 11th, 2007 by KirkBhoy | Posted in Challenges, Chants and Atmosphere |

Ok, ok, not something that will be solved by a blog post. So many things go into what makes a good atmosphere at a soccer match — stadium, attendance, songs/chants, inebriation levels, etc. But mainly what I’m looking for is something to fill the atmospheric void that is 80% of the game. Lots of people have posted ideas on what to chant when we’re going up against bad refs, Landy-cakes Donovan, and the Dynamo. We have chants for Morrow, Coop, Toja, as well as most every other player.

Unfortunately, players and coaches move on, and (fortunately) we don’t have to deal with crap refs and Houston every game. Thus, those songs and chants either die out quickly or seldom apply. These types of songs also tend to be situational, and few will be inspired to sing them during the let’s-kick-the-ball-back-and-forth-in-the-midfield times that are all too common in MLS.

I want to have a song or two that will energize the whole team. I want to be able to sing something that has the ring of tradition to it. For me personally, this means we need something that meets four criteria:

• It shouldn’t depend on a current coach or player.
• It needs to state some sort of believe in or love for the club.
• It needs to be something people can sing very repetitively (for minutes at a time).
• It needs to be something people can proudly sing whether we’re winning, losing, the game just started, or even while we’re waiting for extra time in a Cup or Playoff game.

Again, all types of chants are needed and appreciated, I’m just looking for a particular type of chant that I think will really liven up the place. I’ve looked through the things people have already posted on the wiki, though few fall in the specific category that I’m looking for, but there are a couple. I’ll shamelessly plug my own Fields of Frisco (which was designed for this very purpose), but I also like the Gambler, Battle Hymn of the Hoops and Ole Ole Ola (though I wonder if a Spanish song could be widely adopted).

Let me know if this kind of thing is something you think people would be willing to do, especially if you think its something Americans would do. These chants are very common in Europe, but quite rare in other American sports.