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 El Presidente Paul Sotoudeh
Paul: As the wise man Flavor Flav once said, hit me…
Jeremy: Alright - starting at the beginning. What is your background in soccer? How did you get into the game?
Paul: Well to be honest my own background is relatively limited. I did the usual kid thing - a year of MSI, soccer at camp, etc - and I used to watch Soccer Made in Germany and the Dips on TV a lot. But I wasn't big on soccer as a kid any more than any other sport. Although I did enjoy the games of "tackle soccer" I used to play with my next-door neighbor as a kid.
Anyway, I paid attention to World Cups and all. I watched a ton of the 1990 Cup because that was the summer I was in France. So maybe Roger Milla started me down the path. By 1994 I was definitely watching a lot more than I had before. But the arrival of MLS really cemented everything. I didn't really have any friends who watched soccer, so I watched every game on TV that entire year of 1996 - including the games on delay at midnight, and avoiding the internet for matches that were being shown the next day.
I signed up for the old Screaming Eagles list in late 1996, after we won MLS Cup, and in January of 1997, as World Cup qualifying got started, I decided I really wanted to meet some other people who were into soccer, so I went to Summers. The rest was history.
What was your first game to attend in person?
First game in person was the opener in 1997 against the Metros, the one we won 2-1 on a late goal by Jaime - otherwise known as the "rocket game". By that point I already knew a lot of people in the club, because everyone was meeting up at Summers so often.
The rocket game?
Yes, the game where a rocket screeched out from behind the supporters and arced ever so perfectly into the Metro bench. The rocket fluttered over the field, but it arced around a couple of times like a dying fly and headed straight into the bench. What I think is most hysterical about it now is that the game just kept on going. It was like "What?"
Actually, if I'm not mistaken the perpetrator still goes to games. He's incognito though so I won't out him here. I can still see that thing fluttering over the field like it was yesterday. It was a bit jaw-dropping but we just kept singing anyway. At that point I figured that kind of shit happened all the time!
It was funny as hell because no one was hurt (although I seem to recall that maybe a Metro trainer or something got hearing loss, which would suck if true). But if the rocket had flown and hit one of our guys, the shit would have hit the fan. That would never happen today.
If it was up to the Barra Brava I'm pretty sure it would.
Well some of those guys I'm sure.
If I can go down that path for a second, seems like there is a bit of a divergence between the two groups over the last couple of years. Just seems like the groups were quite close when I first joined (2001) but not at all now.
Yeah, I think there's some truth to that. I find it all really unfortunate. Really there isn't much difference between the members of the two groups. There really isn't. There are outliers on each side that fit the stereotypes, but mostly the people are the same. Some just expect a different fan environment - which is fine. There'd be no point of having two groups if there weren't a divergence there.
I’ve often thought that if the two groups weren't situated right next to each other they'd get along famously.
Frankly I think most rank and file Barra members either reject any split with the Eagles or don't care one way or the other, and the same is true for Eagles members the other way. We cheer for the same goddamn team, that's all that most people care about. But I do think that a few people foment this kind of stuff for their own ends, and it really does pollute the fan base because new people - most of whom are new to soccer - are taught how to be soccer fans.
Most new people to soccer grew up in America, knowing how to be football fans or baseball fans or whatever. And if you teach them that being a soccer fan is about hating on everyone who doesn't do things the same way you do - well, that's what they internalize and that's who they try to become. This is about a few people trying to manipulate the environment by teaching division and then separating the groups from one another so those divisions won't heal. It’s ridiculous to think that people would try to do that in a sports environment - with people who are fans of the SAME team.
There are a LOT of Barra people that I consider close friends. I invited a couple to my wedding a few months back. So let it be known: there is NO Barra vs. Eagles feud. I think the Barra is great and I think plenty of Barra members feel the same way about the SEs.
Anyway, my basic point is that there wouldn't be any problems if the groups were taught to commingle, hang out together, spend time with one another, etc. Because, basically, we're all alike. We want to cheer for DC as loud and as passionately as we can, we want to have a good time with our friends, and all of that. United is a lifestyle for both groups. We all piss off our families, friends, significant others, and all the other "normal" people who love us by planning our entire summer around a soccer team.
It's strange but I read about these kinds of rifts between supporter groups of other clubs in a number of other countries. And rifts within supporters groups.
Well, in those other countries, there are big sums of money involved. You have groups extorting clubs and all kinds of crazy shit. Not that the money is small here in DC, where the groups control their ticket money, but that's another matter.
 Screaming Eagles and Barra Brava, together What is your relationship like with DC United?
Fantastic. I really can't say enough great things about the team, the ticketing operation, and the ops staff. Especially, frankly, the ops staff. People don't know how awesome Jon Radke and Jason Amaguana are. Those guys are the shit and I owe them a nice lunch.
That is certain to be printed…
I think, bluntly, that a lot of people around here don't understand just how good we have it in DC. They have a DC-centric view not only of MLS, but of soccer, and they think all the groups are treated like this. When we get to do millions of things that other groups can't, simply because our front office gets it.
Do you have any relationships (formal or informal) with other supporters clubs? Either here in the States or in other countries?
Not really in terms of relationships with other groups - back in the day (late 90s) when the founders of all the groups around the league all knew each other from pre-MLS days, we used to tailgate with ESC, Midnight Riders, and most of the other groups when we road tripped. Now, not so much. Although I will say that we're tight with the Sons of Ben right now because Bryan James and a few of their other guys are longtime members of the SEs and supported DC until Philly gets a team.
I don't rip on them like other people do for being "traitors" or any of that - they're loyal to their city and I can respect that. It's not like United has been around for 50+ years and these guys grew up cheering for DC. This is a new league and this stuff will happen.
Makes a lot of sense. We were lucky to have had a team in DC from the start and didn't have to make that choice.
Exactly. I mean, did Chicagoans have to cheer for Columbus in 1996? Yikes!
 Screaming Eagles tailgate
Well, Matt (Matt Mathai, Screaming Eagles founder – ed.) would be better at this than I would, but here's what I know. Kevin Payne is sitting in an office in New York in 1995. He IS DC United at this point. Matt calls him up and says "How can I help?"
Matt starts a personal webpage - I believe the site was http://www.clark.net/mmathai if my memory serves me well - with information about the new DC soccer franchise and the contest to name the team is done on that site. I believe the voting choices were Justice, Force, and Spies. The voting is completed, and as I understand it Kevin called Matt and said, "Hey Matt, what do you think about DC United”. And Matt breathes a sigh of relief because he knew the other names sucked.
The site continued on and became what is now the SE webpage. It actually held that URL until 1998 or so - I don't think we got "screaming-eagles.com" until then. We also had a listserv which was the Big Soccer of its day, but with far less stupidity and moronitronic trolls. Kevin Payne used to post on it regularly - he would give us scoops on upcoming trades and such. I remember finding out about the Steve Rammel for Roy Wegerle deal before the media did, and calling my best friend to tell him. He was just like "We got Wegerle? Oh this league is ours. United League Soccer".
Again, I was just a lowly plebe back then. Matt knows the ins and outs of that time way better than I do. I did a little work on the old Nest Liner back then, but that was it because I was off to law school that fall.
What was the Nest Liner?
It was our old paper newsletter that Peter Von Elling used to edit. We used to have a fake personals section in the back where we'd goof on other teams and fans, including Michael Mejido. I wrote a lot of those, as did Dave Lifton after he came on the scene in 1998. The Nest Liner is actually back as a web-only thing this season on our webpage. Kim Kolb writes it.
Michael Mejido. Haven't heard that name in a while.
He got sick and his appearances decreased - and when he's shown up since he hasn't been funny. But damn did he used to be hysterical back then.
So when did you start to get more involved with the Eagles?
I used to drive back every weekend for games during law school since I was only a 3 hour drive away and gas was 80 cents a gallon, so I stayed around all during that time. But after I finished in 2000 and took the bar, I was back in town for real. Before the 2001 season, someone decided it was a good idea for me to take on the road trips stuff. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do it at the time but I said what the hell. Famous last words.
How long did you do the road trips?
Five seasons. Biggest trip during that time was MLS Cup 2004. After the 2005 season ended, I had a ton of ideas for things we needed to do to improve ourselves both at our tailgate and inside the stadium and I went to Kim with them. We'd gone through a number of people to run the tailgates in the previous few seasons and the tailgates position was open again. I wasn't comfortable with the idea of "running the tailgates" though and Kim wasn't comfortable handing a newbie all these big ideas I had. So she got the lovely and talented Thea Kreinik (along, at the time, with her lovely and talented sister Leslie) to be in charge of rustling up the volunteers for the tailgate and I had a new oversight-type position called "Gameday Affairs", which basically let me take charge of all that stuff both inside and outside the stadium as the idea guy.
I did that for one year. I felt like there was improvement but there was more that could be done, and when Kim decided to take a bit of a step back it seemed natural for me to come forward and take a shot at running the operation for a while. That was before the 2007 season, so this is my second year as president.
And still enjoying it?
Yup. I think we've had two incredible seasons, I really do. How large is the group at this point? And any idea what the numbers have been over the years?
We went from around 650 at the end of 2006 to 1035 at the end of 2007, and we've already smashed through that this season. And we just hit scroll number 3000 which I think is pretty awesome. I remember when my number (138) was high. Now it’s super low.
Any idea how that number compares to other groups in the league?
I think we're the biggest in the league with paid membership. I'll say that with the caveat that I don't know anything about all the groups in Toronto or Chicago and how they're split up, nor do I read nearly as much Big Soccer as I used to so the numbers for those guys may be out there and I'm just not looking for them anymore. Also, the Sons of Ben have a big number but I don't think they have a paid membership structure in place yet. I think we're certainly in the top 5 and probably number one. But I'm not positive about that, and we're not interested in fighting with other groups so it isn't something we really jump up and down about
And what activities do the Eagles have going on? Obviously there's supporting the team at the games. And the fantastic tailgate.
New York bus trip is in two weeks. We have the cheapest deal to get up there and the trip is always a fun ride. We have our exclusive Meet the Team event for members only coming up over Labor Day weekend. And we're prepping to announce our MLS Cup road trip as well. And I HAVE to put a plug in for Tim Sheetz and his crew's outstanding work with tifo. One of the most pleasant developments of the year for me is not only the way most of our members have taken to the flags and banners - which I wasn't sure they would - but also how cool the stuff really is. tifo@screaming-eagles.com to get in on the creation of that stuff. Tim and his crew are the shit.
Anything else outside the game? Aren’t there some Screaming Eagles teams?
Yes there are numerous SEFC teams - we have a team in WISL's top division, a couple of women's teams, and an over-30 side, and we're probably adding an indoor team soon also. One of our women's teams, the Nuisance, won their division of WAWSL. Shout out to those girls. We also have a weekly pickup game in Springfield every Saturday morning – 9 AM behind Lee High School on Franconia Road. And now there's also a weekly pickup game going on in my old stomping grounds of Montgomery County, Sunday mornings at 9 AM behind Tilden Middle School on Old Georgetown Road. I'm a Tilden alum, but that was before they moved to the building SEFC plays in so no memories out there for me.  Screaming Eagles FC in action
So where do you see the club headed over the next few years? The next 5-10?
Hopefully continuing to grow and support DC right on into the new stadium, wherever that might be. Continuing to be the #1 ticket buyer in the stadium as we have been for the last several years. Continuing to add to their flair and passion that is in our sections right now, and make them constantly better. Continuing to bring NFL and big-time college football tailgating to MLS games, with all the bells and whistles. And if I could clone Nicole Gara a few times so that she could run our ticket operation forever, I'd be a very happy man.
Continuing to ramp up our community service presence in the area. Dave Goodwin has done a great job with that but I'd love it if we could do an event every single weekend. We've done a number of events already this year - the Race for the Cure and DC Cares Servathon to name a couple. Right now, we're sponsoring a hole at the Barra golf event again - Rob Gillespie does incredible work putting that together - and encouraging our members to come out and play in it and support United for DC. And, of course, all proceeds from ticket sales in The Aerie, Section 139, go to charitable causes. Dave puts together events and brings in members without me even knowing about them! I need to call him up and ask him.
OK - a couple of last questions. All-time favorite United player and all-time favorite United game?
Wow.
I have to separate this between personal and professional on the players, because when you get to meet the guys you get a perspective on their personalities a bit. On the field, it's Jaime Moreno without a doubt. I wish I could transport newbies back to the 90s to see Jaime when he was really Jaime. I mean, now he's just a very good MLS player who has technical skill and a soccer brain ahead of almost every MLS player. Back then he was a man among boys. I think he's the greatest MLS player of all time, even including Marco, who of course I love too.
Personally, it's Mike Petke. Nicest guy you could ever meet. Came over from New York as one of the most hated guys from that team, and within about ten seconds had won us all over. He was funny, easy to get along with, and didn't have an ounce of ego around us. A bunch of the younger guys from 2004-2005 also - Bobby Boswell and my pseudo-doppelganger Alecko Eskandarian are both hysterical and extra-friendly and fun to be around. Ben Olsen is Ben Olsen - he's probably my second favorite guy to watch over the years, and he's a nice guy to boot.
This is what I've heard picking amongst your children is like.
But I'll go with Jaime on the field and Petke off of it.
Now, favorite game?
Favorite game is probably 1997 MLS Cup. I mean come on - 58,000 people. A FULL stadium, including temporary bleachers behind the south goal, all cheering out "DC! DC!" a few times in the second half. And we got a 2-1 victory in "DC United weather" (AKA cold rain) at home. Brings chills down my spine still to think about it. That's what we're all shooting for in this supporters club thing - an entire full stadium doing the songs and chants. And, for a few moments in that game, we got it. And, I might add, doing the chants TOGETHER.
BTW, if I can throw in an old-school name or two amongst my favorites, Brian Kamler was also an incredibly nice guy. And Eddie Pope and Ryan Nelsen might be the two best defenders MLS has ever produced. Matt Mathai used to use the word "elegance" to describe Eddie. And no word could be more perfect. He did everything right positionally and made it look effortless - but was capable of covering for others because he was such a great athlete too. Basically he was Michael Parkhurst with size and pace. AKA the best US defender ever.
Well that's about all the questions I’ve got. Anything else you'd like to add or any final thoughts?
I’ll say thanks for the interview, plug our website at screaming-eagles.com, and tell anyone who'd like to e-mail me about the club or anything else to drop a line to paul@screaming-eagles.com .
And Vamos United!
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