Mano a Mano con Hunter R

When did you join La Norte?

Two years ago

Why did you join La Norte?

I used to sit over on the "loud side" but never was in a supporter group. A highlight for games was always when the Nortenos came in and you could just see colorful insanity across at the north end. That atmosphere really insprired my wife and I to join.

What is your most memorable moment with La Norte?

Silly as it sounds, when I brought a home made Red Bull pinata to the Red Bull game last year at RFK. The kids had a great time knocking the candy out and then the destroyed bull made it into the stadium and was impaled on a flag pole.

How do you think that we can make La Norte grow?

La Norte just seems like a good family. Everyone has a good time, everyone is cool together. It is a really supportive environment. I think that will help it grow. I still kinda consider myself an outsider in the group because I dont know many folks by name - I'm not the most outgoing person and I dont get to go to a whole lot of games each year - but I still feel welcomed.I wish though that the full stands were still up behind that north end. That would be a great, visible place and would attract folks.



What was your worst/most disappointing moment as a United fan?

That thumping by Chicago in the playoffs a few years back. Gomez getting the card for spitting. The vibe in RFK was really getting ugly. That left a bad taste in my mouth.

Which player you wish DC United would have never let go, and why?

Right now, probably Ryan Nelsen. I dont think we have fully recovered losing his presence. Although, losing Troy Perkins and Earnie Stewart were rough too because they brought so much and made us tough.

When and how did you first get interested in soccer?

As a fat little kid my mom signed me up. I did ok for myself but never wanted to pursue it. I kinda got out of it after a while but I picked everything back up when MLS opened and I was heavy into coming to DC anyway because of the hardcore/punk music scene in the mid 90s (Damnation AD represent!). I obviously dont play that much anymore unless it is with my daughter.

What other teams do you support besides United?

I really dont have too many other teams I follow except for Boca Juniors. On the NFL side, Steelers all the way.

Do you think DC United will ever have their own stadium?

I can only hope and pray that United with have a home close to DC (anywhere in the DMV is okay with but I really want them to be in DC proper). If they left the area, I would feel like that pinata I talked about earlier.

DC United is also competing this year in the US Open Cup as well as the CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. Which is more important to you? Are either more important than the MLS Championship or Supporters' Shield?

MLS Cup is always number one. If the wheels fall off the bus for some reason and there is no way we can get to the playoffs, then my top priority would be to make things difficult for any team who comes to our place (especially Chicago, NY and LA).

If you were MLS Commish for a day, which teams would you get rid off, keep, and bring in?

A few things: 1> go single table 2> hook up with the USL and go to a relegation system. Then those teams who are solid (Rochester, Charleston, Montreal, etc) can get a chance to make more money. And it would make the whole table interesting because teams would be fighting for their lives each year.

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Hunter hails from Richmond, VA and still lives there.

Mano a Mano con Chris Clubb

1-Why did you join La Norte?

It's easy to see that La Norte has passionate fans combined with very knowledgeable fans. The other supporters have the passion, but to know an opponents backgrounds and to be able to custom tailor a taunt for it... genius.

2-What is your most memorable moment with La Norte?

Last year watching the 3 time changed match against the Dynamo in the pouring rain. Soaked but didn't stop any of us from supporting our ass off!

3-What does being part of La Norte mean to you?

Passion. And a commitment to the fans as well as the team. If the fans are the 12th man, then La Norte is the genius touch that sends the ball flying into the corner of the oppositions net.

4-How do you think that we can make La Norte grow?

By making the same kind of entrance and exits that we always do and welcoming others to join in. Tell them what were about and get them into 118 the next time.

5-Which D.C. United players have you met in person?

None... YET :-)

6-What was your worst/most disappointing moment as a D.C. United fan?

Pretty much the beginning to middle of last season. I mean to say before we picked up Crayton. You could tell that the passion of the game was gone for Wells, and we all had to pay for it :-(

7-Who is your favorite current D.C. United player?

Devon McTavish. True versatility and talented to boot. I expect to see nothing but greatness from him for some time to come.

8-What team/players do you hate the most in MLS?

As far as teams. NY RedBulls and NE revs have a pretty obnoxious fanbase. All talk but most of their fans know nothing about the game. As far as players. Blanco really pisses me off. I wish he could be banished from playing anywhere ever again. Just a true thug and bad sportsman.

9-When and how did you first get interested in soccer?

Played some as a child. Always liked the athleticism of it.

10-What other teams do you support besides D.C. United?

US National Team, Barcelona, and Argentinian National Team... in that order.

11-Salary aside, who is the one player that you would like to see playing for D.C. United?

Honestly it's a toss up. Leo Messi would do great things for MLS and futbol in general here in the states. But as far as talent is concerned I would say Pablo Piatti. This guy is going nowhere but up. If you've never heard of him then just put his name in youtube and I think you'd agree.

12-Do you think that Philly will become DC United's newest and best rivalry once they join the league or nothing can top our feud with the Redbulls?

I think the scars between us and NY run too deep for Philly to rival that.

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Chris Clubb currently lives in Gambrills, MD and hails from Memphis TN.

DCU Game 2: Photo of the game

La Norte just wants to have fun! Pocos pero Locos!

DCU Game 1: Photo of the game

Nortenho Rene Hernandez made this banner by hand. Nice job Rene!

What We Are Guaranteed to See More of in 2009

Despite what we'd LIKE to see more of, here's what we definitely WILL see more of in 2009:

Media whoring by Dougg:



New jerseys for Shawn (you don't need the jersey of every Reserve player too!!):



Bad weather:



Matt with beer (actually, I don't think that you'll ever see him WITHOUT a beer):


And this guy. Oh wait.......


(Yeah Dougg, I'm looking at you!!!)

Something I hope to see more of this 2009 Season - Part I.

The Photo of the Season

Well, the season's over and it pretty much sucked. With the exception of the U.S. Open Cup, we were plagued by injuries, players who under achieved, and one damn goal in Columbus. I think that this picture sums up the season best.