Photo by Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports
By DAN KARELL
A Portland Timbers supporter could be facing criminal charges after being involved in an altercation with an FC Dallas fan during Saturday’s match at Toyota Stadium.
According to a report in the Oregonian, an upset FC Dallas fan angrily reacted to chants the fan termed as vulgar from the visiting Timbers supporter. The report adds that the Lone Star Brigade, a group of Timbers supporters based in Texas, said that the FC Dallas fan “head butted” the Timbers fan, and the Timbers fan acted in self defense by punching at the FC Dallas fan.
FC Dallas released a statement to the Oregonian on Tuesday though, stating that police in Frisco, Texas, have reviewed film from the game and were ready to move forward with charges against the Timbers fan.
“Violence of any kind is not tolerated at Toyota Stadium,” read FC Dallas’ statement. “The incident in question was reported to police and it will be filed as a criminal case. The confrontation was also captured on video. Police viewed the video and are moving forward with a criminal case against a visiting supporter. Due to the ongoing investigation, FC Dallas is unable to comment further on the incident.”
The altercation during the match was just one of multiple incidents between the two sets of fans. The report states that two Timbers supporters’ banners were stolen by FC Dallas fans, with only one of them being returned. In addition, a Timbers fan reportedly had his scarves snatched away by an FC Dallas fan before security returned the lost items.
The Timbers defeated FC Dallas, 2-0.
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What do you think of this development? Think fan safety is an issue at MLS matches, or see this as an isolated incident?
Share your thoughts below.
Last time I visited they singled us out and pushed us out the closest exit of the stadium. We tried to explain we were trying to use the exit by where we parked and they started arguing and got in my face. It was almost as if they were trying to goad us to push them back so they could detain us.
Yawn
Lol stay classy Mexico.
Don’t blame the alcohol. Alcohol never has anything to do with it ladies and gentlemen. A jerk or a you know what is just that regardless of alcohol.
Must be the meth then…
That’s kinda naive. For sure, a jerk is a jerk, but add alcohol and you can get all sorts of nastiness. A jerk yells at you. A drunk jerk doesn’t know when to stop, then curses at you, then might throw a punch.
This is patently false. Booze absolutely removes peoples’ inhibitions. Sure, a jerk is a jerk, but his jerkiness comes out more when he’s drunk.
I find it interesting that there is a Texas based Timbers fan group. Oregonians that moved to Texas, or Texans that happen to like the Timbers?
Might be surprised with how support the Timbers get on the road!
That awkward moment when you’ve watched Green Street Hooligans too many times and life imitates art imitating life.
Grow up, turds. And that is directed at all the lame weirdos who take fandom too seriously.
Something of a milestone — MLS hooligans (?)
I’ve been (pleasantly) surprised of the lack of fan groups trying to “legitimize” themselves by embracing the hooligan culture of Europe. I hope this isn’t a sign of things to come.
They stole their banners and scarves ? Are you kidding me ?
I sure hope that was a bunch of high school kids, if not…..how embarrassing. Actually as I think of it, junior high. No high schooler is that much of a loser.
LOL, let’s steal their scarves ! Yeah, great idea !
Quit whining.
The most important part of this story, a link to video of the fight, is painfully absent.
I doubt that is gunna get released. At least not so soon after it happened.
I want to know from the folks who attend MLS games, what fandom if any could be categorized as menacing.
A couple of 135 pound dudes named Kyle and Walker brawling? Who cares?
Tottenham may care.
it’s just passion.
No, it’s not. We all have passion, but kids act out their casual culture fantasy. Grow up.
Ian, my bad. You missed my sarcasm.
Poe’s Law. :/
It’s all good.
Big freaking deal. Someone got punched in the face. This happens at every college football or nfl game. Non story here.
+1 and sometimes it happens between fans supporting the same team. It’s called drunk people.
And sometimes fans who support the same team fight, with one fan hitting his head on the bathroom floor, getting paralyzed for life. Big deal.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/10/us-usa-stadiumbeating-california-idUSKCN0HZ02120141010
Good perspective. I’d also point to Bryan Stow, who is very lucky to be able to speak and live life in a non-vegetative state, no thanks to some jackass punks. Sports are supposed to be fun and safe for those in the stands.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/10/25/world-series-bryan-stow-play-ball/17930347/
+1
Cabrito, I believe the point of Mike and Wood chip’s posts was that one fight at a sporting event is not news. In other words, it does not mean soccer hooliganism has made its way to the US, which is probably the debate the article was meant to inspire. They did not imply that a fight can’t lead to tragic results.
And I believe that Cabrito and Ian are pointing out that it should be news because people shouldn’t go to enjoy a sporting event and fight.
I myself am not surprised a Timbers fans is involved. Not like they’re any worse than any other group of fans but I have seen with my own eyes -on many occasions- their style
So what is their style?
Rhetorical questions and pocket squares
ganja and birkenstocks?