And in New Jersey, the Red Bulls in January took the extraordinary step of revoking official recognition of one of their oldest supporters groups, the Garden State Ultras. The supporters groups of the original M.L.S. But any organized fan groups that might actually feel and act on any of the enmity toward their rivals swiftly comes up against the realities of how the American sporting experience is managed and policed. The Garden State Ultras, for example, were one of three main Red Bulls supporters groups housed in what is known as the South Ward at the team’s stadium, Red Bull Arena. fan groups emphasize a positivity that would look gauche to some of the groups they notionally emulate: charity fund-raisers, clothing drives and events supporting social issues from anti-racism initiatives to gay rights.

Source: New York Times March 02, 2018 17:11 UTC