LA_Fan

2022 A New Hope

July 4th, 2022 – Liam

OK, stealing titles from Star Wars now. Mea Culpa! We can all feel the difference this season and most of us are feeling optimistic. Let’s review:

Players out: Erling Haaland, Steffen Tigges, Roman Bürki, Marvin Hitz, Dan-Axel Zagadou, Axel Witsel, Marcel Schmelzer, Reinier, Marin Pongracic.

I liked Bürki and Hitz, I was sad that Zags couldn’t get over his injuries. That’s about it. Haaland always seemed like a sideshow to me, taking the focus away from the team. Maybe that’s just me being salty. Rumors are abounding about Akanji, about Rapha, about Schulz, about Hazard. Can’t say what will happen, but (at least) Rapha has been a favorite from the beginning. Would hate to see him go.

Players in: Karim Adeyemi, Nico Schlotterbeck, Salih Özcan, Niklas Süle, Jayden Braaf, Alexander Meyer, Sebastian Haller.

Can you feel the defense? Nico and Süle lined up in front of Kobel? Özcan in Defensive Mid? A back three with Hummels?

…and the offensive possibilities? Adeyemi will be a star no matter where he lines up. Malen will feed off that sort of creativity. Haller will be a center target like all Dortmund strikers of the past.

July 2022

July 05, 10am, Tue: Lüner SV vs Borussia Dortmund (PRE)
July 09, 8am, Sat: Dynamo Dresden vs Borussia Dortmund (PRE)
July 14, 9am, Thu: Verl vs Borussia Dortmund (PRE)
July 15, Fri: Training Camp – Bad Ragaz (PRE)
July 18, 10am, Mon: Borussia Dortmund vs Valencia (PRE)
July 22, 10am, Fri: Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal (PRE)
July 29, 11:45am, Fri: 1860 München vs Dortmund (POK1)

A great bunch of pre-season matches this year. Valencia and Villareal should give us a good idea what Terzic is thinking. Then our first trip to München for the season. Not the match we were anticipating, but a solid Pokal opener.

The Bundesliga opener will be our first chance for a meetup:

Aug 06, 9:30am, Sat: Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen (BUN1)

This season, as last season, we’ll meet at LA Draught on Lincoln Blvd. in Santa Monica. Let’s get a crowd out.

This Is Dortmund!

Jamie Bynoe-Gittens starts against Bochum

So many “fans” worried about the last couple of matches. Calls for “Rose Out” after the Dynamo Kiev match. Screaming about the team’s lack of motivation after the rather exciting match versus Bochum. Just get over it. This is what you signed up for.

Borussia Dortmund has managed to hover around the top 10 teams in the World for a decade. Take a look at this list and tell me why those teams are ahead of us. Hint: money. Along the way, we’ve picked up the most exciting 16 and 17 year olds in the world, turned them into superstars, then been forced to watch them move on. That’s kept us in the top 15 every year, but it doesn’t make us rich.

Was this season more disappointing than the last Klopp season? The season of the two Peters? Last season, when Edin Terzi´c saved our bacon? Not really.

And, like every season, this is a time for hope. Tom Rothe and JBG got their shot and took it. A Moukoko start is possible in the next two weeks. Exciting new players are being signed. Imagine Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Süle lining up in front of Gregor Kobel next season.

But still…Kehl and Rose have said that they will be building through two transfer windows. The process is ongoing. What’s the most we can hope for next season? Fighting for the Meisterschale, winning the Pokal, and quarter or even semi-finals of UCL.

This is Dortmund! Every season a new hope, a new chance to reach the top. Some season in the future it will pay off. Always remember that Klopp took three years to take us to the top. We haven’t given a Manager three years since. Maybe now is the beginning of a new era. Maybe not. We’ll all still be here either way.

When is A Fan Not A Fan?

Had to stop following the Borussia Dortmund Fans Worldwide Facebook group last week. Too many negative posts. The group was invaded by “fans” who really seemed to have no love for the team at all and very little grasp of the English language. Here’s where I draw the line:

“Burki out!” – this has been ongoing for quite a while, but after Köln it exploded in that group. It was posted no less than 20 times, some demanding that Hitz take over, some demanding that we buy a “better” Goalkeeper. Hey people! He is the Goalkeeper for Borussia Dortmund! He is very good. We are not buying anyone else and he’s been starting ahead of Hitz for Dortmund and Switzerland for years.

“Favre out!” – This was the call after the Union match. I’ll admit that I’ve posted the same thing jokingly, but these idiots are serious.

“Good Riddance!” – I read this sentiment tossed at Abdou Diallo, Omer Toprak, Andre Schürrle and Maxi Phillip. That’s when I knew that these were not Dortmund fans. We support any player that puts on the uniform, and when they leave we wish them well. That’s it. That’s all.*

*OK, this may not apply to Dembélé, but you all know why.

OK…sorry to rant, but needed to speak out. If you are looking for a team that tosses out €100M on a backup striker, Dortmund is not for you. If you are looking for a club that gives up easily on players and coaches, Dortmund is not for you.

There is a reason why Sancho, Witsel, Brandt and others come to Dortmund. It’s because Echte Liebe is not just a marketing slogan. It is the foundation of everything.

All About Notre Dame

South Bend

Thursday, 18.07.2019

Public Training @ Notre Dame Stadium. 6:30pm. Free of charge. All are welcome.

Friday, 19.07.2019

Tailgate – 2:00pm – Let’s make the area black & yellow together!

We are aiming to have a great Tailgating before the match and will come over with our Legends Weidenfeller & Owomoyela!

Therefore, pick up all your tailgating stuff and join us @South Bend!

Preferred parking-slot area is Stadium/Joyce (S/J)

Parking-tickets can be purchased online: Notre Dame Parking

Parking-Slot will be open at 2:00pm on matchday.

Match against Liverpool FC @ Notre Dame Stadium – Kick-off: 8:00pm

Tickets: Ticketmaster

You can filter for the BVB Supporter Section!

Saturday, 20.07.2019

12:00 – 2:00pm @ Puma Store // Meet BVB players // Exact address will be provided soon.

All About Seattle

Monday, 15.07.2019

Arrival at 11:55am (LH 490 flight)

Looking for a warm welcome at the airport. Emma will be there as well!

Tuesday, 16.07.2019

Public Training @ Seattle University. Free of charge. All are welcome.

Time slot between 5:00 – 8:00pm. Kick-off will be provided soon.

Fan training session @ Seattle University.

Want to train like a BVB player? Here’s your chance:

Directly after the A-Team training we are offering our fans a “Train like BVB” – session for our fans as we have two coaches from our BVB Football Academy with us.

We are envisioning two groups. One for ages 7-13 and an adult group. Free of charge. Max attendees 40 in total.

You want to take part? Application at email hidden; JavaScript is required and I put you on the list. First come – first serve. Please bring football equipment with you.

Wednesday, 17.07.2019

Legend-Touchpoint & Raffle: Start around 3:00pm.

Meeting point for all BVB fans around the stadium. Venue will be provided soon.

Match against Seattle Sounders @ Century Link Field – Kick-off: 7:30pm

Tickets: SeatGeek

You can filter for the BVB Supporter Section!

Dortmund at Bayern! Match of The Year!

This is it. It’s all come down to this. The incredible start, the nine point lead, the injuries and disappointments. We were knocked out of Pokal, finally pushed out of the Champion’s League, but here we are, still standing and ready to prove it.

Join us at the Red Lion Tavern on Saturday, April 6 at 9:30am.

The Red Lion Tavern
2366 Glendale Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
323-662-5337

Get there early to get a Raffle ticket. Grand Prize was signed by every member of the USA Touring Team of 2018.

Der Klassiker Finally Lives Up To The Name

Borussia Dortmund vs. FC Bayern
Saturday, Nov 10, 9:30am

Red Lion Tavern
2366 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039

Old World (Orange County)
7561 Center Ave. #49
Huntington Beach, CA 92647

What a perfect event. First time at the Red Lion, filled the place up and then: Reus, Reus, Paco for the 3:2 beatdown!

Special thanks to GABA Southern California and to Warsteiner Beer for the promotions. We’ll do it again soon.

Christmas Party in Dortmund

We’ve gotten this note from Dortmund:

“we are pleased to be able to invite all Fanclubs to the traditional Christmas Party this year.”

on: Monday, 3 December 2018
from: 18:00 CET (admittance from 16:00 CET)
in: the stadium

I must point out that this is for two Club Members and you have to fly yourself to Dortmund, but…if anyone was planning on being in the area on Monday, Dec 3, let me know ASAP.

For those of you stuck in LA around that time, let me know if we should schedule a Christmas Party here. Sounds like fun.

Thanks all! Hope to see you soon.

We Crashed the Fox Oktoberfest

With a heads-up from Sebastian Schneider at Dortmund Fan Department, we got five tickets for the Fox Sports Oktoberfest Broadcast. We were up early and decked out for the occasion.

In typical TV fashion, it was show up and wait three hours, but we got to hang with some very nice Bayern fans. Actually it was about 30 very nice Bayern Fans. It was, after all, the Oktoberfest Broadcast of Bayern v. Augsburg.

Five minutes on air, yelling and waving banners, then meet and greet.

Hosts were, as always, Kate Abdo, Ian Joy and Alexi Lalas.

Kate was absolutely bubbly and lovely in her Dirndl. You can have issues with the Fox Bundesliga crew, but they do dress well.

Ian was excited about his upcoming Sankt Pauli announcing gig. In retrospect the Hamburg Derby was only exciting for the last 10 minutes, but I’m sure he had a great time.

And also Alexi. I finally got to give him my opinion of his constant “Pulisic must go to the Premier League” blather. Puli’s not going anywhere! Just shut up already. He’s only just earned a starting position.

A great time all around at the Fox Studios. Big thanks to Jeff Heyman, Amy Burns and Venice Tshimanga. Hoping to do it again soon. Maybe November 10? That might be a big match this year.

We Did It! Thanks Everyone!

We did it! First contacted in January and hosting Borussia Dortmund in May. Thanks again to Sebastian Schneider, Carsten Cramer, Annika Gollub, Benedict, Rich Orosco, Patrick Aviles, and everyone in BVBLA. We turned out quite a crowd.

Three Years

It was the Winter of 2014 and two of us got together to watch a match. The team was headed for the Relegation Zone and Klopp would soon announce his leaving. Nobody could accuse us of being bandwagon fans.

We’ve met at Wirtshaus, The Cock ‘n’ Bull, The Scarlet Lady and Ye King’s Head; but we’ve always considered Wirtshaus to be our home.

We’ve sent our Roster to Dortmund with all of our club information for three years. We never heard back from them…until this year. This will be the year that Borussia Dortmund breaks into the USA.

Borussia Dortmund and LAFC

Carsten Cramer with BVBLA — Carsten, Deike, Steven, Marion, Liam, Dmytro, Joseph, Julia

We were contacted in January by the BVB Fan Department. They were planning an event with LAFC to announce a partnership. Could we get our Club to turn out? Of course we could. So we all went downtown and got some wonderful news.

Three Days

From there we waited. We would get our own section, but when? We would get a chance to meet the players, but what would that be? Most importantly: when will the match be scheduled? At first we were expecting July, during a break in the ICC schedule. Then we were told late May, but the Pokal Finale date had to be reserved.

When the date was finally settled we had three weeks to plan, with dates and times not yet settled for flights, parties, training or ticket sales.

Meet The Flight

We had to meet the flight. We were prepared for 3pm on a Sunday. Then the flight was delayed for four hours. Could we still get out a crowd?

Of course we could. Banners, singing and pestering Mario for autographs.

Monday

Monday started at 11 with a Public Training at UCLA. Every player was there and we turned out 400 or so fans. The players were open to autographs and took the time to meet everyone.

Next was Niky’s in Santa Monica. Originally planned for 40 people, everyone got in eventually and (I think) dropped some cash on some BVB gear while watching a Q&A with Lars Ricken, Roman Weidenfeller, Marcel Schmelzer and Mario Götze.

Monday night was the Fan Party hosted by LAFC and Dortmund. At least 100 of us made it to watch Alicia play Foosball with Schmelle. They didn’t win, but it was OK. We all had a few beers and got to chat with Schmelle, Roman and Patrick Owomoyela.

The Match

Finally, the day of the Match. No events, players all surfing or wandering around in Venice. Before the match the 125 and 126 sections were full. Steven Boll had prepared the megaphone and the chanting began. At 6:51pm it was “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and at 7pm it was game time. How was the match? Best game ever!

Thanks again to everyone who helped make this happen!

This Is It: Borussia Dortmund @ LAFC

Sing-a-long Lunch was great. Thanks to everyone who attended. Besides “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” “Heja BVB!” and “Olé, Jetzt Kommt der BVB,” we have nine simple chants and songs for the match. Steven Boll will be leading from section 122, so join in! The full list will be posted on Facebook tonight.

All the Events

May 20, 3:05pm – Team Arrival at LAX

PLANE DELAYED! 7PM!

Meet at Arrivals, International Terminal by 7pm. Bring flags and scarves and anything you want a signature on. Be ready for “Olé, Jetzt Kommt der BVB” when they appear.

May 21, 11am – Dortmund open training at UCLA

This will be at the North Soccer Field, just north of the John Wooden Student Center. Park in Parking 4 underground (free event, paid parking). 70 minute training scheduled. Once again, bring the kids and anything you want signed.

May 21, 3pm – Meet The Team at Niky’s

Hosted by Puma. If you’re not on the list, you can show up anyway and eat at the BVB food truck. Photos, jerseys for sale and a player Q&A. This is the only place in LA with all the latest BVB gear.

May 21, 6:30pm – BVB – LAFC Fan Party – Boomtown Brewery

Tickets not necessary. Just be there early. Only room for 200 and expecting 300. Meet some of the players and watch Liam go all Fanboy over Emma. I swear: anytime I’m anywhere near Emma, somebody has to take my picture. That is an order.

May 22, 7pm – LAFC vs Borussia Dortmund – Banc of California Stadium

We have sections 125 and 126 in the South Corner. The visitors entrance is in the Southeast corner. Less than 20 tickets left. Buy tickets here. We get one Megaphone (Steven) one drum (John) and 15 flags. If you’re bringing a flag, it must be on a PVC pole no longer than 5 feet and you must enter in the visitors gate.

Food Truck

The PUMA – BVB Foodtruck is touring around LA:

May 19 – 5:00pm – 9:00pm – Fontana Concert in the Park
May 21 – 11:00am – 1:30pm – Ocean & 31st – 2929 31st St., Santa Monica, CA 90405
May 21 – 2:30pm – 4:00pm – Niky’s Santa Monica
May 22 – 11:00am – 2:00pm – Tri Centre Food Trucks – 650 E Hospitality Ln, San Bernardino
May 22 – 5:00pm– 10:00pm – Banc of California Stadium
May 23 – 11:00 – 2:00 pm – Heritage Corporate Center – 10350 Heritage Park Dr, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
May 23 – 4:00 – 10:00pm – Common Space LA – 3411 W. El segundo Blvd., Hawthorne CA 90250