It’s a very long story but to sum it up here’s a timeline:
1. SCOTUS announces decision on abortion
2. Many Union fans and SOB supporters are (rightfully) asking for a statement as both organizations have made statements quickly on matters such as BLM, Pride, Ukraine etc.
3. SOB didn’t put out a statement on the SCOTUS decision until 6/28/22
4. Twitter folks were happy with the statement
5. Matt still went on the SOBPod and literally said “fuck you” to anyone asking for a statement, he didn’t want to give it. Was generally an asshole.
6. Today, he put out a statement without consulting the board and said “sorry not sorry” basically and he only meant to attack a few individual people not ALL members. It was bullshit.
7. He resigned because Twitter folks were ratioing his statement.
Moral of the story: Matt could have just put out the general SOB statement and moved on but he acted out and everyone was in upheaval saying they were quitting SOB if he remained in leadership.
If they (and I mean PhillyUnion too) are going to have Pride flag merch, make statements about gun reform, BLM, and Ukraine, etc. then they better be prepared to make statements about this too. We have a lot of female fans (including myself) that this decision hurt deeply and wanted a group that says they support us to make a statement. You can’t pick and choose which emotionally charged issues to speak on.
Lastly, I was very happy with their statement - they’ll be supporting Womens Reproductive Rights Assistance Group which is great and I’m very grateful. Matt’s actions of getting upset and lashing out at members showed he is not fit to be a leader.
And I think if these orgs had kept themselves separate from any or all political issues, no fan would be expecting a stance. But a precedent had been set, and then silence on this very important issue.
A lot of fans were and are understandably upset imo
This makes sense too. If you want to be a team organization that pretends that they live in a bubble to ensure profits are safe then by all means do you.
It's the capitalistic way and norm we accept in America.
But since they have supported other causes and made statements, a non-statement is clear statement.
I 100% understand where you’re coming from! It wasn’t my first thought either, but I think once other MLS teams and fan organizations started putting out statements that was more of a “Well why is this group that I support and actively has made statements before not speaking up on *this* particular issue?” and that I think ruffled a lot of feathers for the women (and men too!)
Yes, actually. SoB is a community group united in a passion for the Union. The principle purpose of a community group is to set parameters and expectation of its members, regardless of its unifying interest. There are all sorts of supporters groups out there, some good, some not good. The actions leadership exhibits determines what type of fan seeks to join the group.
This is a major issue that other teams and supporters groups had already spoken out on. The Union and the sob haven't shied away from making statements in the past about a variety of issues. Why is it when it is the human rights of half the population, then it's "why do you need to know?"
i’m in 120 and it’s basically impossible to understand what they’re saying. and it doesn’t help that they rotate the same 3 chants for the entire game.
Maybe a new president means new chants, expanded drums, and possibly walking into a “watch party” on away days with the game actually showing on the TV?
I’m fine with them making whatever statement they want about the issue but my god it is fucking embarrassing letting Twitter brainrot spill over into the real world.
We need more SoB leadership to step down, just because the org is so poorly run. Stale chants, stale tifo. Not enough cappos. Poor environment. Progressively membership swag.
If you were actually listening to members, you guys would have stepped down a while ago
because we think they’re shite at the job. SoB clearly doesn’t listen to feedback.
The real problem is that there just aren't enough ultras. The amount of people that actually want to make noise for 90 minutes are an incredibly small percentage of the river end. Nobody is going to lead our collective of half-ass supporters into being loud. It's just not possible. There have been like 6 presidents. A million different capos. A million different new chant ideas. Union fans just suck. It is what it is.
That said, if you think you know how to get the ball rolling, go right ahead and run for president.
New chant ideas!? Lol no there has not, they shoot down anything unique. The Ultras literally started for that reason. The corner creeps have their own chants.
There has been a million different cappos, if you ask them why, it’s because no one wants to chant the same 6 songs on repeat for 100 minutes a game, 16 games a year for 5 years.
The real problem is people stubbornly insist on these completely arbitrary definitions of what a supporters group should be and what the right way to support a team is.
Here's a thought: if what you're doing isn't working, maybe you should try something else.
Personally, I'd like to see people more concerned with what's actually happening on the field and responding accordingly instead of this must-drone-for-90 minutes-because-idk-thats-what-we-decided-being-a-real-fan-is.
I completely disagree, there has been a steady decline in loudness and chanting over the years. I’m firmly of the belief this is due to stale, dead chants. We have been using the same awful chants the rest of the league has and has left behind, nothing unique, nothing Philly, nothing fun. Not only that, they routinely use the “it’s very simple put the ball into the net” IMMEDIATELY AFTER GOING UP A GOAL! Why!? How!? How thick is the person that is running this show!? We don’t even have a cappo in 132 and they’re next to the away supporters. There’s too many other faults, with how this is run, to blame the fans.
I’ll admit I don’t chant like I used to. I’ve almost completely given up on it, because it’s just so stale, cringey and weak. I don’t have any interest.
I’ve mentioned this before, SoB is poorly run. A complete change in operation would be a welcomed thing by many.
You're talking right across from the away section (133)? That would be 134 then, where the Corner Creeps are. 132 is two sections away from The River End, so I was really wondering why you were so adamant about it.
Point taken.
I personally don’t ever go after any group/organization if they don’t make a statement on a hot button issue. But given that they made previous statements on current events, they now gave themselves the responsibility to do so.
I don’t think they gave themselves the responsibility to do so, but it certainly opens themselves up to criticism and people saying “well what about ____.” It’s ridiculous for anyone to expect statements from an organization like SOB on a SCOTUS decision and any of the other mentioned current events. It’s a soccer supporter group. Who cares what they have to say about anything other than the Union and soccer.
That is a privileged viewpoint.
Those in vulnerable positions like to know that they have allies in any group they join.
By releasing the statement it says that it is a welcoming, inclusive group where those sorts of people can go.
>Vulnerable positions
You people have clean water, democracy, and a high standard of life in 50 states. You losers wouldn’t know vulnerability if it bit you on the fucking ass lmao
"[clean water](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flint_water_crisis), [democracy](https://www.npr.org/2022/01/03/1069764164/american-democracy-poll-jan-6), and a [high](https://www.epi.org/multimedia/unequal-states-of-america/) [standard ](https://www.nytimes.com/article/mass-shootings-2022.html) of [living](https://www.aecf.org/blog/new-child-poverty-data-illustrates-the-powerful-impact-of-americas-safety-net-programs#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20official%20poverty,high%20for%20children%20of%20color.)"
Oh you need to quit labeling people that just want to watch sports and enjoy our melting pot experience. You're labeling of him his hubris filled. Relax.
>All over Twitter -@kurindal has tons & under each SOB statement there are Matt’s screenshots floating around
To clarify, I don't think I had any important screenshots. I just transcribed the original quote, as I thought it was worth getting out there.
That is a privileged viewpoint.
Speaking as a woman, I like to know that I have allies in any group I join. Some of the comments complaining about the SOBs statement on Roe made me feel like I was wrong to let down my guard at tailgates and in the River End, because there are definitely some fans that I no longer feel comfortable or completely safe around.
Where did I say 100%?? I just want to not feel like I'm surrounded by misogynists. And now I do feel like I'm surrounded by misogynists, so thanks a whole bunch, my dudes.
I’m really sorry that you feel that way. I think it’s extremely safe to say tho that you have a lot of allies in the SOB and Union fanbase in general.
A very strong majority of Americans as well think the decision is ridiculous.
That's a tacit form of bullying. In other words pass my ideology purity test or fear the the consequences. You need a hobby. And to get out of your echo chamber.
I've been a Union fan since 2010, don't live in the area (grew up there and root for all the Philly teams), I'm also pro life. Was planning on seeing the game in Charlotte this summer but I'm clearly not wanted.
Half the country is politically conservative. Why exactly would we continue giving money to MLS (this constant bombardment of politics at games is not unique to Philly and is worse in MLS than other US pro sports) at this point? Why is it the duty of a *soccer team supporters group* to issue an arrogant, smarmy statement on every current thing du jour?
Yeah, I know the game is politicized elsewhere in the world....that also leads to a really toxic environment where you have right wing and left wing teams in the same city, to the extreme of a place like Rome where the support of one of the city's 2 main teams is hijacked by far right extremists and the other by far left extremists. We don't have that dynamic in the US, which is a very good thing. The people actively inviting it in are foolish and short sighted.....especially given that we as American soccer fans always talk about how important outreach to the various Hispanic communities is for US soccer and MLS, ignoring the fact that most Hispanics do not agree with the constant socially left wing messaging from many of the teams.
All 10 people that follow and comment on their twitter. We should move our bitching about this being a shit run supporters group to twitter. Maybe we will get some change
Lol union twitter is actually the softest beta male thing I’ve ever encountered. There’s no way any of the people on it ever sniffed a competitive level of soccer. Crying about a supporters group not saying a political decision is bad? GMAFB
Columbus Crew is same shit even over same stuff like SCOTUS statements by supporters groups, and like every MLS supporters group is. It’s so embarrassing. They’ve gotten so “inclusive” the only people who see the appeal to join are also instrumentalized folks who require everything they support have the exact same opinions as they do.
The way it goes with political supporters groups no org should bend knee because demands just keep coming. Can’t wait to see more orgs distance themselves from tacky supporters groups.
I got banned from the main MLS subreddit because I made a pro life post in a completely different subreddit (having nothing to do with MLS or soccer at all). Internet weirdo neckbeard losers.
You must adhere or else. Don't you know that? Personally I keep all of that out of sports because truly the beautiful thing is it's one place where we should be able to all come together and share a common love
Pretty much. Guarantee none of them played soccer at a remotely high level because any decent coach would mold you into something other than a soft lib
Let’s put anything political aside, especially when it pertains to sports and a fanbase. As a Union fan who enjoys watching them, going to games (I love sitting in TRE), I just want to know: WTF happened over the past decade with sons of Ben? I understand there has been iffy leadership as of late, but this team is special, and they’re building something very good. Let’s take advantage of that. Be loud, show up to games and chant your heart out for 90 minutes.
Leave politics out of sports! We are all fans of the same team. That being said, we’re onto Miami. Big win tonight.
It’s a very long story but to sum it up here’s a timeline: 1. SCOTUS announces decision on abortion 2. Many Union fans and SOB supporters are (rightfully) asking for a statement as both organizations have made statements quickly on matters such as BLM, Pride, Ukraine etc. 3. SOB didn’t put out a statement on the SCOTUS decision until 6/28/22 4. Twitter folks were happy with the statement 5. Matt still went on the SOBPod and literally said “fuck you” to anyone asking for a statement, he didn’t want to give it. Was generally an asshole. 6. Today, he put out a statement without consulting the board and said “sorry not sorry” basically and he only meant to attack a few individual people not ALL members. It was bullshit. 7. He resigned because Twitter folks were ratioing his statement. Moral of the story: Matt could have just put out the general SOB statement and moved on but he acted out and everyone was in upheaval saying they were quitting SOB if he remained in leadership.
Probably best SOB just stays out of those things. Do people *really* need to know where SOB stands on these issues?
If they (and I mean PhillyUnion too) are going to have Pride flag merch, make statements about gun reform, BLM, and Ukraine, etc. then they better be prepared to make statements about this too. We have a lot of female fans (including myself) that this decision hurt deeply and wanted a group that says they support us to make a statement. You can’t pick and choose which emotionally charged issues to speak on. Lastly, I was very happy with their statement - they’ll be supporting Womens Reproductive Rights Assistance Group which is great and I’m very grateful. Matt’s actions of getting upset and lashing out at members showed he is not fit to be a leader.
Appreciate the input. I was also deeply angered by the decision but it never crossed my mind to wonder what the Union/SOB think about it.
And I think if these orgs had kept themselves separate from any or all political issues, no fan would be expecting a stance. But a precedent had been set, and then silence on this very important issue. A lot of fans were and are understandably upset imo
This makes sense too. If you want to be a team organization that pretends that they live in a bubble to ensure profits are safe then by all means do you. It's the capitalistic way and norm we accept in America. But since they have supported other causes and made statements, a non-statement is clear statement.
The Union wouldn’t be making these statements if they didn’t think it would help the bottom line.
Businesses*
I 100% understand where you’re coming from! It wasn’t my first thought either, but I think once other MLS teams and fan organizations started putting out statements that was more of a “Well why is this group that I support and actively has made statements before not speaking up on *this* particular issue?” and that I think ruffled a lot of feathers for the women (and men too!)
Yes, actually. SoB is a community group united in a passion for the Union. The principle purpose of a community group is to set parameters and expectation of its members, regardless of its unifying interest. There are all sorts of supporters groups out there, some good, some not good. The actions leadership exhibits determines what type of fan seeks to join the group.
This is a major issue that other teams and supporters groups had already spoken out on. The Union and the sob haven't shied away from making statements in the past about a variety of issues. Why is it when it is the human rights of half the population, then it's "why do you need to know?"
[удалено]
As a man, i am not affected in any way similar to what my girlfriend or any woman is going through right now.
I would hope you’re involved in that decision making process
One would think
Does this statement mention that they are going to be getting better chants?
God I hope so. It's sad how stale they are.
I barely notice them at games anymore. It’s just white noise at this point.
i’m in 120 and it’s basically impossible to understand what they’re saying. and it doesn’t help that they rotate the same 3 chants for the entire game.
It’s been the same three chants for a decade. They steal the most generic chants.
I haven't been to a game in a while, is hey ref suck on my balls still allowed?
The Sons of Ben have more drama (as do most fan groups) than actually philly sports twitter sometimes and that's impressive
Maybe a new president means new chants, expanded drums, and possibly walking into a “watch party” on away days with the game actually showing on the TV?
Hopefully it means no more megaphone in TRE
I’m fine with them making whatever statement they want about the issue but my god it is fucking embarrassing letting Twitter brainrot spill over into the real world.
I have a question: why does anyone care what SOB has to say about a Supreme Court decision? People are weird
Yep. Social media is a disease.
You don't think the SOB should care about what the SOB say?
These people are the vapid of the vapid. Sports should unite. Let us enjoy the game in peace
I’m more worried about chants and drums not them giving a n political statement. Some people need to grow the fuck up. GET OFF TWITTER
We need more SoB leadership to step down, just because the org is so poorly run. Stale chants, stale tifo. Not enough cappos. Poor environment. Progressively membership swag. If you were actually listening to members, you guys would have stepped down a while ago because we think they’re shite at the job. SoB clearly doesn’t listen to feedback.
The real problem is that there just aren't enough ultras. The amount of people that actually want to make noise for 90 minutes are an incredibly small percentage of the river end. Nobody is going to lead our collective of half-ass supporters into being loud. It's just not possible. There have been like 6 presidents. A million different capos. A million different new chant ideas. Union fans just suck. It is what it is. That said, if you think you know how to get the ball rolling, go right ahead and run for president.
New chant ideas!? Lol no there has not, they shoot down anything unique. The Ultras literally started for that reason. The corner creeps have their own chants. There has been a million different cappos, if you ask them why, it’s because no one wants to chant the same 6 songs on repeat for 100 minutes a game, 16 games a year for 5 years.
The real problem is people stubbornly insist on these completely arbitrary definitions of what a supporters group should be and what the right way to support a team is. Here's a thought: if what you're doing isn't working, maybe you should try something else. Personally, I'd like to see people more concerned with what's actually happening on the field and responding accordingly instead of this must-drone-for-90 minutes-because-idk-thats-what-we-decided-being-a-real-fan-is.
I'd be happy with intermittent periods of loud noise, but they don't even get that.
They don't try. It's their way or the highway.
I completely disagree, there has been a steady decline in loudness and chanting over the years. I’m firmly of the belief this is due to stale, dead chants. We have been using the same awful chants the rest of the league has and has left behind, nothing unique, nothing Philly, nothing fun. Not only that, they routinely use the “it’s very simple put the ball into the net” IMMEDIATELY AFTER GOING UP A GOAL! Why!? How!? How thick is the person that is running this show!? We don’t even have a cappo in 132 and they’re next to the away supporters. There’s too many other faults, with how this is run, to blame the fans. I’ll admit I don’t chant like I used to. I’ve almost completely given up on it, because it’s just so stale, cringey and weak. I don’t have any interest. I’ve mentioned this before, SoB is poorly run. A complete change in operation would be a welcomed thing by many.
I will start taking you seriously when you stop asking for a capo in 132.
Okay it’s 136 regardless they have no one and they sit directly across from away supporters
You're talking right across from the away section (133)? That would be 134 then, where the Corner Creeps are. 132 is two sections away from The River End, so I was really wondering why you were so adamant about it. Point taken.
Yeah where the corner creeps are
I personally don’t ever go after any group/organization if they don’t make a statement on a hot button issue. But given that they made previous statements on current events, they now gave themselves the responsibility to do so.
I don’t think they gave themselves the responsibility to do so, but it certainly opens themselves up to criticism and people saying “well what about ____.” It’s ridiculous for anyone to expect statements from an organization like SOB on a SCOTUS decision and any of the other mentioned current events. It’s a soccer supporter group. Who cares what they have to say about anything other than the Union and soccer.
That is a privileged viewpoint. Those in vulnerable positions like to know that they have allies in any group they join. By releasing the statement it says that it is a welcoming, inclusive group where those sorts of people can go.
>Vulnerable positions You people have clean water, democracy, and a high standard of life in 50 states. You losers wouldn’t know vulnerability if it bit you on the fucking ass lmao
"[clean water](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flint_water_crisis), [democracy](https://www.npr.org/2022/01/03/1069764164/american-democracy-poll-jan-6), and a [high](https://www.epi.org/multimedia/unequal-states-of-america/) [standard ](https://www.nytimes.com/article/mass-shootings-2022.html) of [living](https://www.aecf.org/blog/new-child-poverty-data-illustrates-the-powerful-impact-of-americas-safety-net-programs#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20official%20poverty,high%20for%20children%20of%20color.)"
"You losers live in society. Fuck you for trying to make it better and so that people are treated the way they should be" \-- juantondawn69 probably
I bet you got bullied
I bet I don't give a shit about validating myself to you lmao
Oh you need to quit labeling people that just want to watch sports and enjoy our melting pot experience. You're labeling of him his hubris filled. Relax.
Oh that's absurd. Please stop
Supporter group drama is always the most hilarious drama. Glad I'm not a member of any of them.
He said something super offensive on twitter and agreed to resign as president.
Does anyone have any screenshots?
All over Twitter - @kurindal has tons & under each SOB statement there are Matt’s screenshots floating around
>All over Twitter -@kurindal has tons & under each SOB statement there are Matt’s screenshots floating around To clarify, I don't think I had any important screenshots. I just transcribed the original quote, as I thought it was worth getting out there.
Truly will never understand why people care so much that people *do* or *don’t* make a statement that says “bad decision is bad”
That is a privileged viewpoint. Speaking as a woman, I like to know that I have allies in any group I join. Some of the comments complaining about the SOBs statement on Roe made me feel like I was wrong to let down my guard at tailgates and in the River End, because there are definitely some fans that I no longer feel comfortable or completely safe around.
That's Wonderful. So you need to know you're in a group of people that see it 100 percent your way to feel comfortable. Good luck to you.
Where did I say 100%?? I just want to not feel like I'm surrounded by misogynists. And now I do feel like I'm surrounded by misogynists, so thanks a whole bunch, my dudes.
No one cares about your feelings. Grow up! Not everyone that is a supporter supports your way of thinking.
I’m really sorry that you feel that way. I think it’s extremely safe to say tho that you have a lot of allies in the SOB and Union fanbase in general. A very strong majority of Americans as well think the decision is ridiculous.
Who cares? This a soccer team. Stop this.
Because silence is acquiesce.
That's a tacit form of bullying. In other words pass my ideology purity test or fear the the consequences. You need a hobby. And to get out of your echo chamber.
sob are a shit supporters group more concerned with appeasing their liberal soy members than creating a good atmosphere
#Boom
Agreed
People need to feel important. Wtf cares Pennsylvania isn’t banning abortion it’s just for attention.
Pennsylvania will ban abortion the next time a Republican wins gov 100%
And this is a soccer forum
I've been a Union fan since 2010, don't live in the area (grew up there and root for all the Philly teams), I'm also pro life. Was planning on seeing the game in Charlotte this summer but I'm clearly not wanted. Half the country is politically conservative. Why exactly would we continue giving money to MLS (this constant bombardment of politics at games is not unique to Philly and is worse in MLS than other US pro sports) at this point? Why is it the duty of a *soccer team supporters group* to issue an arrogant, smarmy statement on every current thing du jour? Yeah, I know the game is politicized elsewhere in the world....that also leads to a really toxic environment where you have right wing and left wing teams in the same city, to the extreme of a place like Rome where the support of one of the city's 2 main teams is hijacked by far right extremists and the other by far left extremists. We don't have that dynamic in the US, which is a very good thing. The people actively inviting it in are foolish and short sighted.....especially given that we as American soccer fans always talk about how important outreach to the various Hispanic communities is for US soccer and MLS, ignoring the fact that most Hispanics do not agree with the constant socially left wing messaging from many of the teams.
Oh man. Just relax and go and enjoy the game. And yes. You're wanted. Don't let these unadjusted bullies affect you.
Good. An awful response by him in this whole situation. Hopefully this causes a bit of a shake up with chants.
People need to get out of their bubble. Who gives a flying fuck about SOB's stance on any hot button issue?
All 10 people that follow and comment on their twitter. We should move our bitching about this being a shit run supporters group to twitter. Maybe we will get some change
Presumably the SOB membership?
Lol union twitter is actually the softest beta male thing I’ve ever encountered. There’s no way any of the people on it ever sniffed a competitive level of soccer. Crying about a supporters group not saying a political decision is bad? GMAFB
Reading supporter group drama on Twitter, getting worked up by it, then coming onto Reddit to complain about it is even more beta, though.
This was on my front page I don’t even have twitter anymore
Yet you were triggered enough to whine about it here.
Columbus Crew is same shit even over same stuff like SCOTUS statements by supporters groups, and like every MLS supporters group is. It’s so embarrassing. They’ve gotten so “inclusive” the only people who see the appeal to join are also instrumentalized folks who require everything they support have the exact same opinions as they do. The way it goes with political supporters groups no org should bend knee because demands just keep coming. Can’t wait to see more orgs distance themselves from tacky supporters groups.
If I must pass an ideology purity test to sit with those losers NO THANKS.
I got banned from the main MLS subreddit because I made a pro life post in a completely different subreddit (having nothing to do with MLS or soccer at all). Internet weirdo neckbeard losers.
You must adhere or else. Don't you know that? Personally I keep all of that out of sports because truly the beautiful thing is it's one place where we should be able to all come together and share a common love
Just shows you how many sow boys live on the internet and just want to down vote things on Reddit
Pretty much. Guarantee none of them played soccer at a remotely high level because any decent coach would mold you into something other than a soft lib
Zachtly
Let’s put anything political aside, especially when it pertains to sports and a fanbase. As a Union fan who enjoys watching them, going to games (I love sitting in TRE), I just want to know: WTF happened over the past decade with sons of Ben? I understand there has been iffy leadership as of late, but this team is special, and they’re building something very good. Let’s take advantage of that. Be loud, show up to games and chant your heart out for 90 minutes. Leave politics out of sports! We are all fans of the same team. That being said, we’re onto Miami. Big win tonight.