Hey everyone! Just wanted to introduce myself as a new potential Stars fan and ask a few questions about the gameday experience, etc.

I've lived in Washington DC the last 4-5 years but go to grad school in the Twin Cities and want to make it out to some games this year when I get back into town. Living in DC, I'm a big DC United fan and a part of DC's best supporters group Barra Brava. We tailgate before every game, sing/chant for 90+ min in the stadium, and generally have an awesome time supporting our club.

Anyway, I know things are probably a little different for a smaller club, but was wondering if anyone can give me an idea of what Stars games are like? Do people tailgate before the games? And if so, usually in large groups or just a few people here and there? I don't want to roll up with a grill and some beverages only to find out we're not allowed to use them in the parking lot.

I've seen the dark clouds mentioned here and on the team's website - can anyone give me more insight into the group? Is it more informal or do they actually have seats set aside in the stadium? (in DC the various supporters groups have their own sections set aside and they sell their own game tickets, with a discount to group members)

I'm looking forward to learning more about the team and supporters through this site and by catching some games. Cheers!

Send a personal message to Lightning Striker, if he dose not respond quickly to this thread anyhow, he might be busy making up work he missed while in South Africa, he's the man to talk to.
Tailgating is allowed.

dude, the team installed a big permanent grill for us to use. yes, tailgating is allowed. we usually congregate around that. you don't even have to bring your own grill, how sweet is that?

in regards to the tickets and seating.....thats something we are still trying to figure out within the dark clouds and with the team. there are some people that sit behind the visitors bench, some people that sit in the stand du nord behind the goal, and a lot of us that stand in the beer garden which provides excellent heckling opportunities as well as proximity to beer. they really go hand in hand.

stop on by and say hi.

On behalf of Fjord FC, I welcome you to MN. Be sure to track me down. I am usually running around with a baseball cap and dark shades to concel my identity.

I am new to the group this year, and everyone is very friendly. I usually do not make it out to the tailgate party, but I try and spend at least one half of the match in the North End beer garden were some of the hardcore supporters have gathered over the years. I am not sure where the home os "Stand duNord" is as they are trying to figure that one out.

The hardcore supporters do need some more energy--especially with the SuperRookie moving to Florida. I went to a DC United match a few years ago vs. Cruz Azul and had a blast--in the rain at RFK. The supporters out there welcomed me into their ranks for the match, and I hope we can do the same. The Stars need all the support we can get, so I hope you will be regular face at the Nessy (National Sports Center).

I would like to tailgate more, but really do not have the time. Some people might call me a "troll," but life does keep me pretty busy. I really should make it a point to become a regular at the grill. It is pretty cool.

This is something we need to do a better job at. We made it 10+ minutes last match. I say we shoot for 20 the next match, and continue to increase throughout the season. At the last home match we need to be rocking the Nessy!

Howdy!

The view isn't the best, but my heart belongs to the beer garden. I'll be the fat guy with a beard and a green sock puppet over his Vuvuzela. Stop on by!

I have a good time on quiet days, even when I'm one of only a dozen in the BG. When there aren't enough people to get songs going, we'll usually just heckle the other team.

I've yet to go to a Stars game that I didn't enjoy.

When the Thunder moved to NSC, the Dark Clouds gathered behind the opposing team bench. I'm still there, although many moved to the beer garden or Stand duNord. I like the game too well to give up the good sight lines (personal opinion) and I like doing my heckling from there. Some of the coaches and bench players handle it well, some not as much, but it's always fun. For me at least.

Come join us, bang a drum or cowbell, wave a flag - if you don't see any, ask around. There are many of us who can help you get one out. (We store the drums etc. at the stadium.)

"Stand duNord" is officially the bleachers on the North end of the field, but sometimes the bleachers aren't there...

Thanks all for the quick replies! I'm kind of mad now I checked the schedule and will only be able to make 1 home game (vs the Whitecaps in September) after I get back at the end of the summer. I'll definitely be checking back closer to that gameday though! And I've seen some discussion of watching away games at sweetwater? I think I watched a US qualifier there last year. Do people always go there for away games?

There is usually a dozen or so Stars supporters at the Sweetwater during away matches. Be sure to the these boards before you go--people usually state their intentions prior to each away match. Last night was the first away match I did not head down to the Sweety.

Remember that vuvuzelas are outlawed at the Nessy. However, a "vuvunessie" is protected and not subject to any ban--or at least that is how I see it!