Who Are "We", Westside 109?

We are Westside 109!
What does that mean?

Supporting a football (soccer) team in the United States is a unique prospect. Football is not ingrained into the culture of any town in America like it is in the rest of the world. Football however is a very popular "pasttime" enjoyed by many a kid or soccer mom on a Saturday afternoon.

Unlike many other countries, the USA has a host of activities, and sports to divide the interest of Americans. There is also no common heritage in this country. We are a hodgepodge of backgrounds, cultures and interest. Football is just a minor one of these components.

So where does that leave us as supporters of the Atlanta Silverbacks football team. We have had some members here since the beginning like "drummer", "blaise", "nethead" and a host of others. I don't think anyone can question their commitment to the team or the supporters. They are the glue that has kept this going all these years.

With Nuthead stepping away though, it made me think, who else of us has such a commitment to support the Silverbacks?

Consider:
Do we help organize gatherings for the team and/or supporters?
When at games, do we pay attention to the action on the field and respond for the players to encourage them?
Do we even understand the game that we support?
What does being in Westside 109 personally mean to us?
Are we a group of supporters or are we just general fans?
If so, is there a need to call ourselves "Westside 109?"

There are no right or wrong answers really, just a questions of identity. At the end of the day, this is all just sport isn't it? Nobody curing cancer here....

Just some random thoughts.....

Our Troubled Team

It is so hard to feel a positive vibe about our football club when so many challenges have been thrown at us. The Atlanta Silverbacks is our club, but what started out this year as promise of a challenge for a first ever league title, is turning into a fight for survival. Not just for the playoffs but for existence.

Now maybe I am overstating the point, but what I mean by survival is the way the team is at the moment. Think back to the championship game last year. We were all united as a team, the players and fans. We played together, supported together and won and loss together. It seemed we all had a common purpose. But something has happened to our team (spirit) maybe midway through the season this year. The moral of both the team and fans seems to have been damaged.

What has been the reason?
*Perhaps the credit crunch has reached into the pockets of our owners;
*Maybe the prospect of MLS is damaging plans for a Silverback future,
*Perhaps the failures of the international friendlies to bring in an influx of cash
*Maybe a combination of all of the above.
Whatever it is, it is well and truly awful.

I have often told my wife that I am in the wrong country to follow my favorite sport. Football is not ingrained into the fabric of our culture, but it is ingrained in me. I have been hopelessly in love with the sport since I was a wee young lad and as I spent time in Sweden and again back here in Atlanta. The Silverbacks are my club and until they tell me to go away or they are no more, I will be a Atlanta Silverback supporter.

So what is one to do when there is such negativity surrounding something that you love and cherish. Very simple, you keep supporting your team. Nothing the owners, management or outside influences can do can separate us from our team. When at the park watching the team, shout out encouragement at games to the ones that count the most to us, the players and coaches. If we show support for each other, we can get through this and even prove to management that the players and the fans are the one that really make the team work. Everything else is an illusion.....

cheers!

Varner's Tavern - A Silverback Bar!

For those of you that do not know this yet, Varner's Tavern have been very supportive of the Silverbacks and Westside 109 when it comes to watching away games. They will allow their Tavern to become an official Silverbacks locations if we want it.

The owner, Tony, has opened up the best area in the Tavern to view the games with the actual game sound. The place has great food and drink (48 beers on tap) and I really want to encourage all at Westside 109 to take advantage of this offer to get together at this place to watch away games and also support their business. The restaurant portion is all ages with only the bar having a limited and "21 and over" policy.

Take a moment to check out the details at this link: Varners Tavern . We are going to have the next game watching party this coming Sunday, August 24th at 6pm. All are welcome to come and join in the fun and help to secure Varner's Tavern as an Offical Silverbacks Tavern. If you have any questions e-mail us at: sayhey@westside109.org .

BORING...

...Last night's game was horrible!!! I would have rather watched the Mexicans on the other field last night... Baseball would have been more interesting... for the love of GOD, NASCAR would have been more enjoyable. Just when you think the 'Backs are really starting to click and play well together the "front office" trades away half the team and with less than a month left in the regular season the 'Backs are looking at players for the first time... I guess money does talk though...

More importantly: HOW DOES HAYES MISS A PK?!? Next time, instead of having the kids twirl around on the bat and take a shot on goal at halftime... they should have the 8 year old come in and take the penalty kick... Awful!!! Embarrassing!!! He's not fooling me though... that was a "protest" shot, or more to the point... "protest" MISS. Plain and simple...

Toure Sadness

The news of Ansu Toure's departure brought great sadness to me. Yes we received a quality player in return and there probably was a monetary motive that may help with some financial goals of the club, but my sadness comes from another direction.

Toure's trade came suddenly without a chance for fans to give him thankful regards and a proper send off. Ansu had just put in a valiant effort against a spirited Vancouver side giving us 2 goals and maintaining a constant attacking threat that entire game. So to see him go in the middle of the night comes as a bit of a shock and a big disappointment.

Questions: Is it right to send him packing with his quality and at this stage of the season. Will new boy Sean Cameron be able to settle in at this stage of the season? What do we really gain from this trade?
Answer: Only time will tell us......stay tuned for more....

GO 'BACKS!!!

Southern Derby Tailgate Info

As most of you might already know, the Southern Derby game against Charleston is this Saturday(Aug 16th 8pm). Charleston is bringing a busload of people(around 40) so we really need 109 rocking for this game.

We will have a HUGE tailgate on the cement patio overlooking the stadium just below the gravel parking lot starting at 3pm until 7:30pm. It will be catered(a little bit) by a couple different restaurants(pizza, wings) as well as individuals bringing food. Everyone is welcomed to stop by and hang out but if you plan on hanging out for more than a little bit then please bring something to share or be willing to make a cash donation to the 109 Fund to help with the costs. Some of us will be getting there at 3, so come out early.

Here is what is needed:
-Beer(Only in Cans and Only Tecate, Heniken, Amstel Light)…please NO glass bottles
-Bottled Water
-Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Other stuff for the Grill (a six pack of burgers is like $5 or 8 Hot Dogs is under $5)
-Hot Dog or Hamburger Buns -Chips/Pretzels/Peanuts/……
-Condiments
-Whatever else you think people would like
-There will be tables and chairs. However the patio area will not be covered so if you have a canopy tent that could be used that would be great if you can bring it. We will have one small tent but other tents are welcomed.
-----If you plan on bringing anything above, I would appreciate you letting me know by Friday so that I can mark it off the list and it’s once less thing for me to use the Westside 109 Fund to buy.
We will have trash bags, plates, utensils, napkins. We will also have music playing and tailgating games(cornhole).

Thanks and see ya Saturday,
Nuthead

Vancouver Disappointment

Atlanta has had a great run over the last few games, but the breaks did not fall for us tonight as we fall to the Whitecaps by the score of 3-2. In a thrilling match that saw the lead, and the momentum, swing back and forth throughout the entire match, United were undone by a controversial 3rd goal put in by Vancouver in the 88th minute.

With the match tied 2-2 late in the match, Vancouver whipped in the corner that Quintero leaped to pull in. He grabbed the ball but collided with Geordie Lyall who dislodged the ball from Quintero's grasp and followed up by tapping the ball in for the winner. The referee ignored the incident and signalled for the goal while the assistant referee also was conspicuously silent.

It was a disappointing end to what could have been a valuable point. No Kandji, No Rios and no Bobo, but, Atlanta played well in this game displaying crisp passing and a solid display in the middle of the pitch but Vancouver also showed metal and a tenacity up front that was rewarded by 3 goals.

On the plus side, I am encouraged by the play of Atlanta in the past 5 games. It has been a display that I think will do us well in the crunch time coming up. The only worry at this stage will be the fatigue due to fixture congestion. Time will tell if the new acquisitions of defender, Brent Sancho and attacker Aaron Paye will fit in and give needed depth for the remaining games.

Now comes a welcome week before the next game, against rivals, Charleston home at Silverback Park. Remember, we have the executive patio for a pre-game party. Let's try to fill up Westside 109 and become a valuable 12th man for our boys.

See main Westside 109 site for more details....

cheers!!!
drefooty