Ultras, metropolitan New York style

In cities across Europe and South America, they're sometimes trouble -- occasionally terrorizing players and administrators and keeping police on edge.  In the U.S., however, players warmly acknowledge them from the field, officials embrace their support and security personnel largely ignore their presence.

I'm referring to groups of hardcore fans, those loyal bands of supporters also known as "ultras."

New York City/New Jersey-area sports fans first took notice of them in 1996, when the Empire Supporters Club began sitting behind a goal during MetroStars soccer matches at Giants Stadium. Actually, "sitting" isn't accurate. These fans of the new Major League Soccer team rarely sat during matches. They typically stood most of the time, singing and chanting their support for the home team as many supporters of overseas soccer clubs have done over the years.

When the MetroStars were purchased and rebranded by the Red Bull energy drink company 10 years later and moved to Harrison in 2010, the ultras followed them. Team management essentially made three sections in the "south ward" behind a goal available for members of the Empire Supporters Club and other fan groups each match, negotiating an understanding to tone down some of their salty language. During the first match at the new stadium in 2010, however, a new chant from the ultras was heard: "You can't say f**k in Red Bull Arena!"

After the Mets moved from Shea Stadium to Citi Field in 2009, a group of fans dressed in identical t-shirts began making their presence known in seats behind center field a few times a year.  Known as the The 7 Line Army after the subway line that stops by the ballpark, these fans would loudly root-root-root for the home team all game long. Eventually, they would make a few trips to road games each season while increasing the number of games in which they would assemble next to the big apple at Citi Field.

Today, tickets for the three sections occupied by The 7 Line Army each month sell out quickly. At the season finale last month, over 400 of the faithful took only about an hour to devour a whole 70-pound pig that was roasted overnight in the parking lot by the elevated subway. Proving how considerate true Mets fans can be, they left the head of the pig for latecomers to gnaw at before the game. After cheering the Mets to a win, many of the The 7 Line Army met for a very happy two-hour open bar at McFadden's by the center field entrance to Citi Field.

High-definition televisions and rising ticket prices may make watching your favorite teams from the comfort of your home more attractive than ever.  Ultras, however, help make the in-stadium experience more interesting and fun for their members and everyone else around them who want to express passion for their favorite team.