Cheering for America vs. Your Native Land

[DeltaSigStan]

I'm just going to throw this out there.

Watching USA men's national team games that are played in the United States, it kinda irks me that there's always more of the visitors in the stands, or are at least noisier.

It annoys me especially when we play Mexico, and even playing in Portland looks like you're playing in the Azteca Stadium.

It may bother me, but of course every person has a right to cheer for their country of orgin, or choice. And of course, it IS soccer, so of course there won't be THAT many USA fans.

But, do any of you have a problem with cheering for your native country as opposed to cheering for the country you're a citizen of?

[PM_Mama00]

Nope. Because we've seen Italy in more World Cups than USA... or at least I have. And who cares who you cheer for? There are Detroiters who are Lakers fans. It shouldn't matter where you're from.

[DeltaSigStan]

I think comparing countries to cities within a country's different.

So, what you're saying is, if you've had more success on the field, that's who you should cheer for more? Explains a lot of Yankee fans...

[PM_Mama00]

Never said I wasn't a bandwagon fan.

Anywho, it'd be really hard to choose between Italy and USA.

Now within cities, like one in Sicily and one in Italy.... steer clear of those soccer games. They get outa hand... even within my own family!

[DeltaSigStan]

Think of the two Glascow soccer teams, Celtic, fans of whom are Catholic, and Rangers, fans of whom are Protestant. So, of course, they have some riots that get WAY outta hand. I remember some dude was launching darts at people.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally posted by DeltaSigStan
Think of the two Glascow soccer teams, Celtic, fans of whom are Catholic, and Rangers, fans of whom are Protestant. So, of course, they have some riots that get WAY outta hand. I remember some dude was launching darts at people.

Like dart-board darts?

That's actually kinda funny...relgious fanatics crack me up.

[Peaches-n-Cream]

The United States is my native land. Ireland is the land of my ancestors. I still have relatives there. In fact, one is a well-regarded athlete in Ireland, and I would cheer him on if I had the chance.

[Kevin]

There are plenty of Texans that cheer for the Sooners when OU plays Texas. I have no problem with it. I welcome them.

[BabyP]

I cheer for Brazil of course and they are not my native country! I didnt cheer for america when they played against my native country of course. It's nationalism. Why is that bad if we cheer for our native country rather than the country we are citizens of?

[Rio_Kohitsuji]

Since the US is my native country....both now and ancestry (except a small bit on my dad's side) I stick w/the US. Mostly the Columbus Crew

[Munchkin03]

Just because one comes here from another country doesn't mean that they leave their ethnicity and traditions behind. Not everyone wants to assimilate. In fact, it's often comforting to be able to root for the national team, eat traditional food, and listen to the music of your homeland. It doesn't mean that you're a bad American or you're not happy to be here.

[aurora_borealis]

My sister has been rooting for Lance Armstrong, but her second favorite is Thor, this Norwegian guy. Our Norwegian family has been here less than 100 years (actually they came to the US, went back to Norway, then came back), but we still have that identity. I grew up hearing Norwegian spoken at home and church, and eating all kinds of traditional food.

Conversely, my sister's husband is Dutch, born in Brazil, and never became an American Citizen, though he moved to the US as a baby. He is all about Lance Armstrong, could not care less about any of the people from the Netherlands competing.

With all five of us kids in a blended family, we may leave home, but we keep our family teams. Giants and Forty Niners, and if they aren't playing, the Athletics and the Raiders. Though who wants to be known as an ATHLETIC SUPPORTER?

[PM_Mama00]

Originally posted by Munchkin03
Just because one comes here from another country doesn't mean that they leave their ethnicity and traditions behind. Not everyone wants to assimilate. In fact, it's often comforting to be able to root for the national team, eat traditional food, and listen to the music of your homeland. It doesn't mean that you're a bad American or you're not happy to be here.

You said it best. My family is more Italian than American. Although, I'm the rebel in the family and am more Americanized.

Forgot to throw in here, when Italy won the World Cup in 1990, my aunt made a building-size Italian flag and hung it on her apartment building. 18th Ave in Bensonhurst was crazy with celebration. Now if you don't enjoy or appreciate Italian tradition, do NOT go there!

[preciousjeni]

Originally posted by PM_Mama00
Never said I wasn't a bandwagon fan.

Anywho, it'd be really hard to choose between Italy and USA.

Now within cities, like one in Sicily and one in Italy.... steer clear of those soccer games. They get outa hand... even within my own family!

hijack
During the '98 World Cup, I was driving through Italy in a German labeled rental car trying to get back to France. WHOA!

[honeychile]

I think I know where Stan's coming from - I was at last week's US v. Poland soccer game in Chicago. You would have thought that you were in downtown Warsaw, by the cheering - with the grand exception of Sam's Army, who were in fine form!!

Even throughout the second game (Fire v. Revolution), there were still Polish fans yelling, "Polska!" to which we would respond, "US!"

I have ancestry from most of the UK & Switzerland, but I am an AMERICAN. When the US Men's National Team - of any sport - is in the mix, I'm going with the good old USA!!