The views and opinions expressed in this article reflect those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Section 8 Chicago NFP.

As I wake up bleary eyed and sober, I regret the error of my condition that left me unable to become blind drunk or wrapped in the blissfully ignorant cocoon of some other equally enjoyable vice during last night's match. Had I been able to enjoy more than a thimble full of alcohol, maybe I would have been able to better to participate in the fantasy camp that when on for 90 minutes at Toyota Park.

We've got a real good thing going on in 117/118. The so-called mainstream has figured out that we can get them sloshed cheaper than the next guy, and there's just enough street cred rolling around to make it slightly more respectable than dollar beer night at the local A-affiliate. Of course, this brings us additional exposure and inflated numbers, but leaves the heart of the section having to pump many times harder to keep the whole damn thing from shutting down.

If you want to see the new face of Section 8, put down your two-poles and come over to 118 to see the new costume party. There's plenty of folks out there putting on their finest Fire reds and standing on the bleachers, drinking their beers and doing what they're told, or at least half assed. Nothing says conformity like scripted rebellion. The cheerleaders up on high, shouting and stomping with great vengeance and furious anger, posturing to get "MORE!" out of these complete strangers. It's all a great show for the passers-through, and maybe after the 10 tries at Livin' in the Red it'll stick with the least hammered of the bunch. Meanwhile, any attempt at real live support, spontaneous passion is snuffed out with a wave of the arm. Get in line with the leader or you're hurting The Cause.

The Cause is not The Badge, that is it is not these things that we hold sacred about our club, the reasons we keep coming back in the name of sport that means something in a world that is running out of such noble causes. The Cause is the unspoken, yet no doubt widely-held, belief that putting on a good show for the AYSO crowd and dancing for the drunks is enough to offset poor performance on the field. The self-serving Cause that can measure passion in yards of vinyl and sometimes forgets about the team that it loves now and again. Andy Herron coming THIS close to pins in his neck only serves as a minor distraction. The show must go on. Keep the atmosphere rolling and one glorious day the skies will open and we'll be bigger than the freaking Bears. Mark our words.

I'm not an old-timer, not by a long shot. I have no claim on the title of grizzled old man who knows how things should really be around here, but its getting harder and harder to spot the people who were here before me. Have we merely diluted their voices or have they all been driven away? Its likely the former, but are we better for it?

So let's stop the show. The Section is the people. It is all of us coming together and supporting this team with one voice. The balling of many fingers into one fist, and occasionally one giant middle finger, in the face our opponents. It can't be orchestrated, but it can be guided. It can be inclusive, but it doesn't have to be complicated. If Fire fans know just one song, let's sing it all night long. I think we'll find that our new found friends will be more likely to figure just what the hell we're trying to do out there.

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