Screaming Eagles (MLS supporters association)

Screaming Eagles

MottoStanding up for D.C.
All Welcome, All United
TeamD.C. United
LocationWashington, D.C.
Established1995
Membership1000+
Board MembersJames Lambert
Jimi Butler
Nicole Gara
Derek Fuzzell
Danielle Lafave
Websitescreaming-eagles.com

The Screaming Eagles are a supporters club of the Major League Soccer (MLS) team D.C. United. The group was founded in 1995 by Matt Mathai,[1] and in 2004 it incorporated as a registered 501(c) (4) non profit organization.[2]

The Screaming Eagles are one of the most widely known MLS supporters clubs,[3] and are commonly known for the songs and chants that they perform during games.[4] According to the Screaming Eagles website, the group has over 1,000 active members.

In addition to providing home game support for United, the Screaming Eagles are also known for bringing supporters to away matches. Over their history, the group has organized road trips to every MLS city for D.C. United road matches. Additionally, the group has run a road trip every four years to Mexico City for the fiercely contested CONCACAF World Cup qualifying match between the U.S. national team and the Mexico national team in Estadio Azteca.[5][6]

Screaming Eagles celebrating a goal with a large jersey shaped overhead banner.

The Screaming Eagles have hosted tailgates prior to most home games through United's history. During the 20+ years that D.C. United played at RFK Stadium, tailgates were held in the stadium's Lot 8. The However, the group has not announced if tailgates will continue at Audi Field.[7] Screaming Eagles also provide members with soccer-related activities, including viewing parties, the SE Football Club, member get-togethers, and events with D.C. United players.[8]

During D.C. United's time at RFK, the most ardent supporters among SE members gathered in "The Nest" in Sections 132, 133 and 134, and "The Perch" in Sections 230, 231, and 232. Often spotted on television, "The Nest" and "The Perch" rolled with the cheers of excited Screaming Eagles members, keeping the spirits of the team and fellow supporters high regardless of the score. In the new stadium at Audi Field, the Supporters' Section has moved to the North Stands, and the Screaming Eagles have relocated "The Perch" to a section of sideline supporters' rows.[9][10][11]

Off the field, the Screaming Eagles place a high value on community outreach work[12]. Over the years, they have worked with several charitable causes including Mike Petke's Kick the Violence Foundation, The Eddie Pope Foundation, DC SCORES, and Kuykenstrong, In 2018, the organization announced a partnership with local nonprofit organization DC SCORES.[13] DC SCORES supports kids in need in D.C. communities through after-school soccer programs, lessons in writing and performing poetry, and neighborhood community service activities.[14] DC SCORES is also the official community partner of D.C. United.[15]

On June 12, 2010, as part of its commitment to supporting the United States men's national soccer team, the Screaming Eagles provided financial support and assisted in organizing an outdoor World Cup viewing - known as "Soccer in the Circle" - in Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.[16] This event culminated with several thousand attendees viewing the United States' match against England in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and received extensive local,[17] national,[18] and international [19] media coverage.

Membership in the Screaming Eagles is open to anyone who would like to support D.C. United and promote soccer. Violence, racism, sexism, and homophobia are not tolerated and are grounds for expulsion from the club.

Controversies

On February 14, 2018, D.C. United published a press release stating that they were entering into a “strategic partnership” with the Screaming Eagles, who would now be considered the team’s official supporter group and would be “tak[ing] the lead role to manage all aspects of the supporter culture including single game supporter tickets sales for both home and road matches as well as organizing all activities and in-game fan experiences in the north end zone.” [20]

This generated a great deal of controversy and confusion in the D.C. United fanbase as D.C. United had initially told fans that “[n]one of the supporters’ groups would have access to single-game tickets and members would have to purchase a season ticket for about $320 to be guaranteed a seat amongst their fellow supporters.” [21]

Additionally, it has been stated that the Screaming Eagles will tack on a premium to the single game tickets that will go to fund additional Screaming Eagles activities and season ticket purchases. This move would eliminates a source of funding for the two remaining independent supporters groups, as well as work to channel ticket sales that had previous gone through them to the Screaming Eagles. [22]

One of the two remaining groups, La Barra Brava released a statement on April 11, 2018, stating that the terms they had been offered by D.C. United for ticket sales were not the same as offered to the Screaming Eagles and until they could come to an agreement with the team about securing tickets for their members “especially those who can’t commit to buying season tickets” then the group, which like the Screaming Eagles dates from 1995, would not have a presence at Audi Field. [23]

The Screaming Eagles have also recently been under increased scrutiny for the way they handled a reported incidence of sexual harassment. [24]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.mlssoccer.com/soccer-almanac/news/article/2011/08/22/dc-uniteds-first-fan-and-founder-screaming-eagles
  2. ↑ Screaming Eagles website
  3. ↑ Real Salt Lake blog article citing Screaming Eagles as "impressive" example of MLS fan culture 4/20/10.
  4. ↑ Screaming Eagles - Song sheet
  5. ↑ Club announcement of 2009 Mexico City trip.
  6. ↑ Club announcement of 2005 Mexico City trip, referencing 2001 trip.
  7. ↑ Screaming Eagles - Tailgates
  8. ↑ Screaming Eagles - Membership
  9. ↑ "Screaming Eagles: The Perch".
  10. ↑ "Audi Field's in-stadium experience".
  11. ↑ Screaming Eagles - About Us
  12. ↑ Screaming Eagles - Community Outreach
  13. ↑ "Screaming Eagles: February 2018 Statement".
  14. ↑ "DC SCORES: Mission and History".
  15. ↑ "DC SCORES: D.C. United Partnership".
  16. ↑ NBCWashington.com article quoting club president on organizing plans.
  17. ↑ Washington Post article on Soccer in the Circle 6/13/10.
  18. ↑ Transcript and audio from NPR story on Soccer in the Circle.
  19. ↑ CNN transcript of live shot from Soccer in the Circle 6/12/10.
  20. ↑ D.C. United press release 2/14/2018.
  21. ↑ Washington City Paper Article 3/29/2018.
  22. ↑ D.C. United Fan Town Hall Meeting recap 4/12/2018.
  23. ↑ La Barra Brava statement 4/11/2018.
  24. ↑ Blog post from the victim discussing the incident 4/16/2018.
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