Baltimore’s Soccer Supporter Community: B-more Bayern
Bundesliga Supporters Finding a Home in Charm City
Over the next few weeks and months we will be sharing information about as many different soccer (or football) supporter groups from around Baltimore as we can. We decided to start off with a group that reached out to us recently, B-more Bayern. They are supporters for one of Germany’s top club teams, Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich have recently moved onto the knockout round of the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League and are looking to win the competition for the 6th time (1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 2000–01, 2012–13). They also sit on top of the Bundesliga table and are looking to win their 4th DFB-Pokal (Germany’s domestic club championship) in the past six years. Bayern Munich is known around the world as one of the top club teams and they are always in the mix to win a lot of hardware every season both on the domestic and international level.
We were lucky enough to speak with Nicole Laliberte, one of the co-leaders, along with James Tirabassi, of B-more Bayern. Here is what she had to say about their group.
USL 2 Baltimore (U2B)
Tell us about yourself and how your group got started.
Nicole Laliberte (NL)
I actually joined the B-more Bayern family after it was already up and running. Luckily, I caught a FB post and stumbled upon the club during one of the Dortmund matches at Sláinte’s and immediately feel in love with the group. Not only had I found a place that I could watch the matches, but I also found an amazing group of people with the same passion as myself. Over the years the leadership has changed a little, but the majority of our founding members are still very much part of the club.
U2B
Where does your group meet and how often?
NL
We’re currently transitioning from watching games at Sláinte in Fells Point to our new home, Crossbar in Fed Hill. For the early weekend matches, we will still watch at Sláinte, but we’ll be meeting at Crossbar for all the other matches. We’re hoping to watch all the games at Crossbar within the next year. They’ve really been great working with us and have actually given us our own private bar area. Depending on the fixture schedule we usually meet 1- 2 times a week. There’s usually a mid-week match for either Champions League or the DFB- Pokal, and then your standard weekend league match.
U2B
What is the atmosphere like with your group on match days?
NL
Overall, I’d say we’re a pretty laid back but passionate group. When you’re watching Bayern play, there’s definitely no shortage of excitement and we respond to that. The atmosphere and energy for some of the larger matches, especially the Dortmund matches can definitely get on the rowdy side.
U2B
Which matches do you most look forward to each season?
NL
Personally, I get excited for every match, but I’d have to probably say that the Klassiker matches against Dortmund are probably my favorite! It’s just one of those long standing rivalries that never seem to disappoint. I sort of view them as mini holidays. And, of course, the Champions League matches are always highly anticipated.
U2B
Is there anything else people should know about your group?
NL
Just that we’re really open to all sorts of people joining us out. Whether you support Bayern, our opponent, the Bundesliga, or just soccer in general — all are welcome to join us for Matchday.
U2B
What is the best way to get in touch with you in the future?
NL
We can be reached through any of our social media accounts — twitter (@bmorebayern), instagram (bmore bayern), or facebook (www.facebook.com/bmorebayern/). You can also just drop us a line via email (bmorebayern@gmail.com).
So if you are a supporter of Bayern Munich, we suggest you get down to Crossbar or Sláinte and checkout a match. However if you are a supporter of another Bundesliga club, you need to follow Baltimore Bundesliga Supporters on Facebook and if you happen to support the black and yellow of Borussia Dortmund you need to start following Charm City BVB on Facebook and Twitter. We are hoping to hear more about them as they start to grow their presence here in Charm City.
Thanks for reading and we will continue our look into the current soccer supporter communities around Baltimore over the coming weeks and months.
Follow us on Twitter @USL2Baltimore and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/USL-2-Baltimore-104606403645706/ for anything and everything that has to do with #USL2Baltimore. We have also set up a group for anyone interested in organizing a USL 2 Baltimore supporters group-https://www.facebook.com/groups/1946072518993890/
Cheers from Charm City!
