Last Tuesday I hoped into my car at 6 a.m. in the morning to start an ardourous journey 9 hours to Peoria from Western Pennsylvania to support my club in the Open Cup. I was also making the trip to participate in a political statement with Chicago Fire’s Section Eight. On the way I made a pit stop in Columbus to pick up two of the Hudson Street Hooligans leaders and toughest guys, Jon and Sean. Jon sports a nifty “HSH” tattoo with broken teeth falling around the letters (no joke, it’s a sweet tattoo) but he wasn’t looking for a fight but instead peace in Peoria. Sean was doing the same as they never promote fighting, throwing of objects, etc. but don’t mind exchanging a few words for laughs at times with away fans at Crew stadium.

Sean does cargo shipments for the Air Force around the world. Before the Houston game, Sean, got a slight sharpnel injury on the ground in Iraq during the weekday but was there on Saturday with a “yellow” cast supporting the Crew. Sean said that the nurse started putting green tape on his injury, he said, “you got any yellow,” she gave him a weird look, he repeated, “you got any yellow.”

After I picked these two up, I headed towards Dayton, Ohio to pick up Jericho. Jericho probably isn’t as tough of a guy physically(Jericho in his humourous manner admitted this on the trip while in a discussion with Sean about Basic training) but mentally he is one of the biggest damn Crew fans around. Jericho not only went with us on the Peoria trip of “taurine driven, car ride lack of sleep hell,” but he followed that up by flying to Kansas City on Saturday. He is also talking about going to away games at Real Salt Lake, Colorado, and Houston this year. I personally have been to Toronto, DC, and Peoria this year and I have to even look at him and say, “dude your extreme.”

Jericho works at a radio station and once a week for an hour turns it into “Massive Radio” for our Crewture podcasts telling his bosses that he is doing “important work.” I just imagine him at work similiar to that Fedex commercial, “worky work busy bee” while his bosses glance in.

But, back to Peoria. On the nine hour ride to Peoria we were lucky enough to see a truck filled with chickens stacked on top of each other, Jeff Gordon Avenue, and flat boring countryside. Sean thought that Indiana should set up some fake scenery on the edge of their lifeless interstate. Deer, strippers, fake cities like Blazing Saddles, or whatever. I agreed.

When we finally got to Peoria, we pulled into Bradley University at 4:15 Central time. A young Bill Gates looking college kid was at the gate and came over to our car, “umm, what are you here for?” I said, “We are Crew fans, here for the Crew game.” He kind of just stared at us as we looked like a disheveled hot mess after six to nine hours in a small convertible Mustang. And, I thought it was funny that this kid asked us “what are you here for?” No, actually we drove to Peoria to see you buddy, now we could leave. Anyways, Gates Jr. said, “could you come back in 15 minutes were not ready yet.”

Finally, at 4:30 we were let in and we all started drinking around soccer families. We were scanning the lanes for Chicago Fire’s Section Eight’s leaders as we looked extremely out of place with our badannas, scarfs, and jagermeister/red bull refreshment next to 10 year olds kicking soccer balls. After a hour we spotted them. The Crew Supporters delegation was in Peoria to do two things, support our club near or far and to make a political statement with Fire fans. The result is the banner above.

(From Left to Right: Sean, Jericho(Matt), Jon, Chicago Fire fan with Cool Tattoo, and yours truly)
The banner is the work of Fire fans who have had a couple small issues with racism in the past and felt bad for us. As it could have easily have been one of Chicago’s non-affaliated troublemakers. They came to us with a plan to show both supporters groups negative perspective on racism and intolerance.

The result is a banner that will be traded by Crew and Fire fans every time they play. The Nordecke will display the banner on the 28th against Colorado and on the 5th against Chicago. Then after the game Chicago fans will take the banner until the next time the two teams meet up.

Teamwork like this is what will propel MLS. The strength of the supporters groups, the money they pour into the teams, and the statements they can make. Also a mutual respect by supporters groups for everyone that is as crazy about this game and this league as they are. Trust me, 16 hours on the road last Tuesday and a blown tire on the way home constitutes a crazy story of support. Add to that I made it home thirty minutes before having to work eight hours the next day. Ahh, the joys of youth. But, I have heard similiar wild stories from TFC, Chicago, and KC fans.

It’s also a willingness to help a brother out when they are in trouble like Section Eight was willing to do for us. Or like in Toronto, giving Crew fans free beers in their pub and thanking them for making the long trip.

We can dispise each other for 90 minutes, but before and after the match it’s stand up people on both sides sharing stories, perspective, a love of soccer, and a handshake.

We are the strength of the league and what will make it succeed.

Crewfighter