Dear Nordecke,

Let me start by saying that I've loved you since the day we met. There was an attraction, and you pulled me in like a moth to a flame. You kept my attention and every time we were together was better than the last. You introduced me to new people, got me to go new places and tapped my wallet more than I would like to admit.

But that was three years ago and things have changed, for both of us. After the glory that was Oh Eight, I starting moving up in the stands, for the simple reason that I want to actually see the game from a better point of view. As I worked my way further up and away from your front row, I began to find flaws. And I think now is the time to bring them up, in hopes that they can be fixed before it's too late.

Before I begin, let me say that I'm still in love with you, Nordecke, and I hope that our love burns long into the future. There is nothing that you can do to diminish my love, and I will always be here for you when you need something. Also, let me add, that a lot of my new found perspective is due to the fact that I've not been around you much this year. Actually, I'm banned since I'm a member of the media now, and I've been sitting in other sections of Crew Stadium watching you from afar.

Now to my list of suggestions and concerns:

1 – The Nordecke is not a free-for-all party, it's a rally to support The Crew. That's all. There are a lot of people this year saying that the Nordecke, and therefore Crew Stadium, has lost it's punch. A large part of the reason people are saying this is because it has become about individuals, or groups of individuals, and not about the Crew. No good. I've heard from many people – some from outside Columbus – that the Nordecke has become a laughing stock. Is that what you want? Is that what you're buddy with the vuvuzela wants?

2 – Your rhythm is gone. Now, I realize La Turbina has moved to a different section of the Nordecke – and for good reason – but that doesn't mean y'all still can't get on the same page. Try getting a few people to coordinate between (and among) the sections. Without some sort of sync between Crew Union, Hudson Street Hooligans, and La Turbina, it sounds as though everyone is doing something different, which means that from across the stadium the chants and songs sound like crap.

3 – It's time to get rid of “You Suck A$$hole.” For this one I'm going to quote the Timbers Army website, because I can't really say it any better: “It’s childish, unoriginal, pointlessly obscene, and just makes us look dumb. If it’s wildly popular in Seattle, chances are good that it’s no longer cool.” How about this instead: When the opposing goalkeeper has a goal kick, everyone turns their back to the field and completely ignores him. In my head, at least, the Nordecke should also go completely silent, but I doubt that'll happen. No matter what replaces it, YSA has to go.

4 – Support the team, nothing else matters. We, as supporters, are in the stadium for one reason and one reason only: to support our beloved Crew for the full 90 minutes. It doesn't matter what group you came in with, or how you feel about the coach or management, for 90 minutes each Saturday your – no, OUR – job is to support the team in the Banana Kit until they hit the showers. You're not there to drink, you're not there to hang with your pals, you're not there to start a fight or to get on TV or in the paper, you're there to put everything you have into making Crew Stadium a fortress where opposing teams come to lose. It's not about the fans, it's about the Crew.

5 – Put your cell phone away. The game is on the field, and you should be paying attention, not texting or tweeting. I realize that we're a super plugged-in, ultra-connected society, but for the 90+ minutes that the Crew is fighting, they need your support. There is nothing, within reason, going on outside the stadium that won't still be going on after the game. So take a break from the phone, or at least put it to good use and snap a few photos. Besides, if whoever you're texting was your real friend, they'd be beside you at the game.

6 – Be loud. There should never be a time – starting with the National Anthem and ending when the team leaves the field – that you, the Nordecke, should not be a vocal force that opposing teams need to deal with. If there is a lull in the singing, then someone needs to step up and start a new song. Don't wait for one of the usual four or five guys to start one. The Nordecke is a community, take ownership.

7 – Make a banner, or two-stick, or flag. I can honestly say I've never done this, and I regret it every gameday. Have you seen Section 8 in Chicago? Or The Cauldron in KC? Or the Sons of Ben in Philly? You can do that, you have done that, you should do it more

7.5– Hold your scarf up. This goes without saying. Don't have a scarf? They're cheap and easy to get. Get on it. Duh.

8– You need more, not necessarily new, chants. “I Love You” and “Yo Si Le Voy ” are getting way to much attention. But you should bring back some old favorites. What ever happened to “We All Cheer for a Yellow Soccer Team” or “Hey Crew,” or even “Dale”? Also, along the same lines, why do you only chant or sing for twenty seconds at a time? Back in the good old days you used to hold onto a song for a couple of minutes. Let's get back to that.

9 – Teach the new people. This is one that is super close to my – and a lot of us other Nordecke Veterans' – heart. Without teaching the new people (folks who show up just because it looks like a good time) the Nordecke will be reduced to nothing more than two-thousand individuals, rather than one voice in support of the Crew. The new people, and there are plenty, need to know what the Nordecke is all about. Be careful with this, but some (a lot of) people have no idea what it means to be a supporter, so tell them. Tell them to chant. Teach them the songs. Get them involved in the game. If we, and I'm including myself because I'm as guilty as anyone, don't teach the next generation (and I don't mean age, I mean new people) then the Nordecke and it's mentality will die. Simple as that. Timbers Army has been around as long as they have because every year they taught new people what it means to be a supporter. You want our kids to be Nordeckians, don't you?

10 – It starts with support. We all love the Crew for different reasons, but when the day comes that you walkout of Crew Stadium without knowing how the Black and Gold did, then you're doing it wrong. A friend of mine once said that “this is like Green Street Hooligans.” I beg to differ: It's like Hoosiers. None of the things we do should be about ourselves or our groups, but rather all of the things we do should be about the whole. About the whole Nordecke, about the whole team. So show up early, sing the Anthem, cheer and scream and cuss and sing for 90+ minutes, and leave everything you have at your seat. Our boys do it for us on the field, we should do it for them in the stands.

You can be strong again, Nordecke. But it starts with your inhabitants, and it starts with your support. 

As Always: Be Massive, 

Chris LaMacchia