Sounders 2009 Top 10: 2 – Hardware Boo Yah!

US Open Cup win – I watched this game from the comfy confines of a small table at Fado pub in downtown Seattle. Accompanied by my partner in crime Wes, and surrounded by green-clad Sounders fans, I was unsure of how the game would turn out. The Sounders recent games had not been pretty and I was a little hesitant that we might be able to pull things off. In the end, the boys stepped up and delivered a noteworthy performance against a DC United team has a long and storied tradition of excellence in MLS play.

Celebration clips from the locker room brought a smile to my face when there was a moment when everybody banded together to chant “Sigi Sigi Sigi, Oi Oi Oi!” to entice their fearless coach into the room to receive his champagne bath. To me it showed the respect and admiration the players had for our coach and for the community and fans that have embraced their team. The chant, a personal favorite of mine for some reason, is a chant that is belted by fans every time our Coach Sigi Schmid is introduced at home, and it was great to hear the players take it into their locker room.

Really, Kasey Keller said it best in a post game interview saying, “it’s always great to get hardware in your first year.” ‘Nuff said.

Keller and crew saluting the Sounders faithful who made the cross-country trip to see the game

Sounders 2009 Top 10: 3 – International Stars on Home Turf

Chelsea & Barca – Drogba, Terry, Ballack, Messi, Henry, Cech. These are all high profile international soccer icons that one in the states would dream to see play on their home turf. In the short span of two months, Seattle fans were treated to that dream in seeing one of the best clubs from England, and the current European champions play their hometown Sounders.

Upon the announcement of each game I was dumbfounded. In my 6 years in the Pacific Northwest, I’ve tried to make every opportunity to see international soccer in Seattle. I jumped at the bit for tickets to see Real Madrid play DC United in 2006, and didn’t waste time in getting tickets for Brazil vs. China in 2008. But to have the opportunity to see two of the greatest clubs of 2008 play at Qwest field was an amazing experience.

I think, normally in friendly games like this in the States, there is an overwhelming support for the visiting international clubs, but in the case of these two games, Sounders fans didn’t disappoint in showing these star clubs that Seattle is the real deal. The noise that embodied the sellout crowds of 66,000 plus fans was deafening. Now I’ve only been to one Seahawks game, but I bet you the amount of cheers, chants, and overall noise during those games rivaled that of the noise created when the Seahawks made their run to the Super bowl in 2005.

Again, to see a city like Seattle support and create an atmosphere similar to that of international stadiums around the world was something amazing to see. Games like these created a buzz about the world of the soccer scene that brews (heh) in Seattle.

Sounders 2009 Top 10: 4 – A Tribute to the “Nines”

US Men's National team forward Charlie Davies

Yeah I totally went there, pun intended, as you read on you’ll start to understand why upon reading the title of this post, you should have immediately performed what many call a Palm-Face in disgusted response to my awesome cheesiness.

Charlie Davies is a rising star of the US Men’s National Soccer team. A day before the US National team was set to take on Costa Rica in their last World Cup qualifying match, Davies was involved in a horrific car crash in Washington DC. One passenger was killed, and Davies was left with several severe injuries, including fractured right tibia, femur and elbow, lacerated bladder, and many facial injuries. These injuries have put the US striker on a 6-12 months recovery track that will most likely result in Davies missing this summer’s upcoming World Cup in South Africa.

The crash is probably one of the more tragic events to the US soccer community in recent memory. To honor Davies and his speedy recovery, members of the Emerald City Supporters (ECS) approached the ownership of the Sounders to see if they could initiate a movement that had already been done in a few select places across the nation. They wanted to insert a “9” card into every program for the last regular season game against FC Dallas. The number 9 is the number that Davies wears with the US National Team. The idea was to have fans hold up their “9” during the 9^th minute of the game. A little but moving gesture.

Sounders fans show their support for the fallen Charlie Davies

From all points of view it was a fantastic spectacle to be a part of. It showed the strong community that is the Sounders FC. The ECS, a strong supporters group, went to head management simply to ask if they could put the cards in programs. They were prepared to pay for all the printing and everything, they just wanted the right to the programs. Adrian Hanauer and the rest of the Sounders front office said, “No, this is a great idea, the organization will pay for everything.” It’s a great testament to how the owners group has created a wonderful conversation with the fans and is open to the democratic process in running their organization.

For the fact of the previously mentioned and the effect of seeing over 30,000 fans holding up their 9’s across the stadium was breathtaking and a moving moment of support for our fallen comrade.

Sounders 2009 Top 10: 5 – The Band

The band – Being a music person, it’s obvious that I had to take some sort of enjoyment and interest in Soundwave, the official band of the Sounders FC. Though I was a little miffed that they were going to be a brass only band and that I wouldn’t even have a chance to audition, it was still fun to have them around.

Overall I thought the band offered yet another dynamic and fun aspect to what made the overall Sounders experience. No they didn’t put on spectacular field shows, no did didn’t wear ridiculous outfit made of very irritating wool/polyester, no they weren’t the laughing stock of the “cooler” hipper kids thinking they were all that.

They were an excited, energetic, passionate group of musicians just doing what they love, making music and performing it to their fans. You can’t ask for much more than that and what they did and put into their efforts deserves a great deal of respect. They led the arsenal of dedicated Sounders fans every home game in the “March to the Match” (#9) from Pioneer Square to Qwest field each and every home game. Each step of the way was an experience you can fully describe with words.

I can’t talk about the band without talking about mentioning to the two things that always kept me coming back to admire the band when I had a moment. My game day partner in crime Wes Magee always likes to make fun of me for these two things, but I can’t help myself sometimes.

First would have to be Sabrina *sigh* a cute dark haired, tan, trumpet player chick that first caught my eye during the lead up to the game vs. Chelsea. (My reason for knowing her name will be explained)  I was walking to Qwest to watch the club train, so I could get an up close view on some of the best players in the world during their training session. As I walked in, Soundwave was in full force providing entertainment. As I passed I had to do a covert double take to see this cute trumpet girl out of the corner of my eye.

She was attractive and played a musical instrument, that’s pretty hot to me. Later on, I’d point her out to Wes at the next game and he concurred with me. From then on she’d always catch my eye during pregame and we always had to take a moment to stop and watch the band before getting to our seats.

Those who know me and my type will know exactly who I'm talking about...le sigh

Now I’m not trying to be creepy or stalkerish or anything. It’s more like that crush from afar that you had back in your high school or middle school days. We just always happened to be in the same place at the same time and I always took notice. Now at one point Wes decided that I should go talk to her. We all know that my mojo with the women is not as Rico Suave as I’d like the think and that people would rather not imagine, so even walking within a few feet of an attractive stranger like Sabrina made me nervous as a nerd on his first date, if that’s not an oxymoron . Towards the end of the season Wes kept trying to push me to talk to her, there was even a moment when the band had finished playing was moving up to their area and she was there alone talking to one of her friends. “This is your best shot” Wes said to me. I knew it was, but just couldn’t do it.

Finally, I believe it was the last home game of the year against Dallas FC. The same sort of situation came where I could approach her while she was packing up her stuff. In my head I said, “just go. It won’t hurt you and you have nothing to lose.” Wes had started walking off having grown used to the idea that I was going to talk to her. So I took a deep breath, walked over and simply said, “Hi, I just wanted to say that I think you’re really cute. I’ve seen you from afar a lot and wanted to actually say something. I’m Van” She seemed quite flattered and surprised and introduced her self and another band mate she was with. Needless to say my attempt at arranging a small casual coffee outing was not as successful as she claimed that she “wasn’t available.” But that’s really ok, I broke the ice and put myself out there which is more than I probably would have done a few years back.

The second aspect of the band that always kept me coming back doesn’t need nearly as long of an explanation but simply two words:

Dancing Tubas

Soundwave had a piece that featured the tubas of the band where they would shake what their momma gave them and get down with their bad selves. Tubas are the largest instrument you can have in a marching band next to any items of the drumline. For a musician, to see a group of grown-ups move the way they did with tubas was a sight to see. Not only because it was amusing and really just plain ridiculous, but there’s a level of respect that you hold for people who put themselves out there like that. I know I couldn’t do the same with my Saxophone.

I'm serious, dancing tubas, 'nuff said

Sounders 2009 Top 10: 6 – Schadenfruede

The word schadenfreude if you don’t know translates basically to, “happiness at the misfortune of others.” Well at least that’s what the musical Avenue Q tells me. So the next two moments of the season make up #6 on my best experiences of the season list, and they both focus on the misfortunes of particular players whose misfortune, brought me great joy.

Yes I know that it’s not always the nicest thing to find pleasure at the misfortune of another person, but we’re all human, and we need to be able to laugh at each other once and a while. I don’t vehemently dislike the individuals I will discuss, in fact I do respect them for being generally very talented football players and appreciate that they are the face for my local MLS team and the United States Men’s National team. I simply more times than none, have a bit of a beef with them when it comes to soccer. I’m sure and hope that they are stand up individuals off the pitch, but when it comes to soccer, my support relationship with these players is quite tumultuous.

Instead of go into detail and talk at length about my negative feelings about these players, I’ll just leave that at the door and talk strictly about the moments themselves. If you’re curious about my views about these individuals I’ll gladly write you a small novel on my thoughts. Any who, anybody who knows me well and knows my views on soccer know that I have 1) a fervent dislike for US National Team/MLS “Star” forward Landon Donovan of the LA Galaxy and 2) a very tenuous love/hate relationship with the Sounders striker Freddy Montero. I’ll talk about these topics in chronological order rather than order of satisfaction .

Sounders striker Fredy Montero

Aside from the fact that I got to see one of the best clubs in the world take on my own Seattle Sounders, the exhibition game against FC Barcelona also provided me with one of the most amusing moments of the season.

I believe it was sometime during the second half when Barcelona had brought in a number of subs and Seattle had yet to take some of the starting players off. The ball was being brought up the field by the Sounders and eventually it made it to the penalty box. Then it trickled out to the top of the box where some Sounder, I don’t remember who, cracked a beauty of a shot that probably would have had a good chance on goal. But instead it found the face of Sounders star striker Fredy Montero.

Yes it shouldn’t be a laughing matter, but man was it satisfying to see and yes I laughed up a storm of happiness at the event. I think the old couple sitting in front of me found it more amusing watching me than the actual event itself. I mean c’mon a ball to the face? That’s funny regardless. Watch this video and tell me that’s not funny.

The second part of this experience, involves Landon Donavan, the supposed face of the US Men’s National team. It was the final of the MLS cup being playing in Seattle against the LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake. It was a hard fought game that boiled down to penalty kicks.

Of course, the captain and leader of the LA Galaxy Donovan would be slated to take a kick. Now mind you taking a penalty kick seems like a decently easy task, take a ball walk 12 yards away from the goal and then try to make the ball in the 8 yd x 8 ft goal. Well take into effect that the fate of a game and an entire season lies on you making said kick, it’s a lot more stressful that it should be.

I personally have missed one crucial penalty kick in my life back in high school and to be completely honest it haunts me to this day.

So I sympathized with Donovan as he stepped up to take the kick, but the moment stepped up to the ball, planted his foot and sent it over the top of the goal, I was giggling like a little girl. I don’t think Wes even needed to ask when he turned to my reaction to the moment.

Sounders 2009 Top 10: 7 – Falling Timbers

Rivalries are always fun and are what fuel any tenuous relationship between two sports teams. Proximity is usually always a factor in rivalries and such is the case with the past, present, and pending rivalry between the Seattle Sounders and the Portland Timbers.

I say past, present and pending because the rivalry of the two teams has three different iterations that all mean and hold different bearing. The rivalry first  started several years ago when both team existed as members of the United Soccer League (USL) which s the league that is one step below that of Major League Soccer. Consider it “semi-pro.” Up until 2009 the two teams had battled each other for the rights to say claim they were the power of US soccer in the Pacific Northwest. When the Seattle Sounders FC formed as an MLS team, the rivalry changed because Seattle was now Top Dog in the region, and Portland was resigned to being the lesser of the two team. That is all set to change in 2011 when Portland gets their own MLS team and is promoted to the big league.

I had the pleasure of traveling down to Portland to see the last summer to see the Sounders FC take on the Portland Timbers in a heated rivalry match in the US Open Cup tournament. Having been my only Sounders game outside of Qwest field, the game was fun and an experience to remember for the season.

A view of the stadium from the perspective of the hometown supporter.

Even though I’m supposed to loathe them for being fans of rivals, I’ll give it to hand it to the fans of the Timbers, they were quite the group. A little crazy, but they were fun to see, from afar. Seriously. From the moment I stepped foot in the vicinity of PGE Park in Portland, it was made very clear that I was an enemy to devoted Timber followers. Donning ONLY my SSFC hat, I walked to the box office to pick up my tickets and was immediately heckled by an energetic man who approached me as to start a small pumping up high five session but quickly rescinded his outstretched hand once we got closer to each other and he realized that I was a NOT the Timbers fan he thought I might have been. He then turned to say, “Sounders fan? BOO!” This event transpired right outside an obvious Timbers supporters drinking hole which then prompted others yell at me to get out of Dodge.

During the game the Timbers fans were out in full force, but in my own bias opinion, they had nothing compared to the wit and fervor of the 3000 800+ Sounders fans who had made the trip down like myself. It was a great atmosphere of sport and allegiance. For the first time in my life I was in the section devoted to visiting rivals and it was awesome.

Timber Joey, before he broke out his little noisy friend...

There was an occurrence that bugged me a little and forced to tilt my head and ask, “really?” Being the Timbers, it only makes sense that there was a Portland fan that would walk around the stands dressed as a lumberjack who is apparently called “Timber Joey.” That’s all fine and done, but what caught me off guard was the moment TJ decided to fire up his chain saw and rev it up several times over the span of a few minutes. No Joke. Dude just revved that chain saw like it was nobody’s business. I’m guessing that said chain didn’t actually have a chain attached for hopefully obvious safety concerns, but one never knows. Now I’m for trash talking and banter, but the loud revving of an actually chain saw just rubbed me the wrong way. Oh well.

Aside from that instance, the evening was filled with chants and moments that simply just make me smile still thinking about them today.

Having gotten tickets in the visitors section, I got to experience first-hand, what was a microcosm of the ECS, maybe the ECS show on the road rather. There were two chants I heard during the game that made me laugh out loud. First being when the entire section taunted the Timbers fans by breaking out into a chant of “You had the MLS because of US” to “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.” This obviously was a poke to the Portland citizens of how Seattle got their MLS team before they did.

An ECS staffer prouding showing off their whitty t-shirts

The second chant that I like to use to this day is when 39 year old, team captain, Kasey Keller makes a save. After making a great save I few guys in front of me proceeded to yell, “He’s Big! He’s Tall! He’s a motherf**king wall! He’s Kasey Keller!” having been a devoted fan of Kasey for many years, it’s nice to see him getting the respect and adoration he deserves from the Seattle faithful.

Being a road trip that probably took a lot of coordination to make happen, what would an organizing staff do without designating t-shirts?! I dawned my eyes on the commemorative t-shirts the ECS had made for those staffing the migration of Sounders fans to and from Portland, and had to take a picture.

Finally it was great for to share the evening with a close and wonderful friend. Jordie and I have known each other since Kindergarden and have remained friends through the years to present day. She did her undergrad in Portland and lives there current, so it’s only natural that on a trip down I had to see her. I was thrilled when she agreed to see to attend the game with me. I was even more thrilled when she asked for me to bring some extra Sounders gear for her. Knowing that she was going to be with a raucous group of visiting fans, she found it in her best interest to be a Sounders fan for an evening. Nothing like converting another to the other side.

Converterted Sounders fan! (Only if for one night)

After a rousing 2-1 victory for the Sounders, my experience with night with the Portland Timbers was appropriately capped with more heckling. Man those guys were relentless! I mean I do some small casual trash talking to friends, but I’ve never openly heckled a complete stranger because of their allegiance to another team, nor have I ever seen it done back on home turf in Seattle. As I waited for Jordie during a stop to the restroom out our way out of the game, I just simply heard a loud, “Hey you in the bright stupid green!” Looking around, I realized that I was the only Sounders clan fan within a 10 foot radius and turned to my antagonist. I simply made eye contact and he then proceeded to look back then say, “Yeah you, you’re kind isn’t wanted around here, GET OUT!” It was an amusing moment in passionate fandom and I simply smiled and just asked the perp what the end score was again. He then scoffed and sort of smiled at the short banter and went on his way. It was the final moment in a fun night of futbol, drinking, banter, rivalry and venturing into the land of the enemy.

Sounders 2009 Top 10: 8 – March to the Match

Ninety minutes before the start of each home game, the band, crazy devoted fans, even some members of the head office gather in Pioneer Square just south of downtown Seattle. They do this in order to get fans riled up and pumped for the game ahead. Really it’s like a big throw back to our youth days because it’s basically a big pep rally circa high school, clicks and all. You’ve got the casual wallflowers who might be there because they have to. You’ve got the diehards like the ECS and other supporters groups. On occasion you’ve got head management or even injured players who won’t be playing that day. And of course, you have the band. Some words are usually said and then have Soundwave (the official Band of the Sounders) lead the way as Sounders fans tall and small march the their way to Qwest field.

It really is a spectacle to see. It’s not every day you witness a massive wave of green clad fans singing, chanting, and traversing over several blocks to get to a soccer game. But for Sounders Nation, it’s a ritual that cannot be missed. The march is a unique experience that embodies the young tradition that is becoming the Sounders FC. It’s a gathering of soccer fans and players in celebrating the worlds beautiful game. Everybody is out there and you never know who you’re going to run into. You could be eyeing that cute girl walking in front of you and accidentally find yourself bumping into GM Andrian Hanauer or even Minority Owner comedian Drew Carey.

I can say that Wes, my Sounders partner in crime, and I attended most Marches that took place and they were and incredible way to start my soccer experience for the day. The energy, the passion, the dedication, the fans. I can’t tell you enough how fulfilling it is for me to witness the enthusiasm that Seattle has emanated in supporting the Sounders and the sport of soccer. I never thought I’d see the day where I was around so many people who had such an appreciation for the game. It’s a small step in the world of getting the entire US to embrace the game, but it’s a step in the right direction and I’m so proud to be a part of the effort.

Sounders 2009 Top 10: 9 – The ECS

The Emerald City Supporters (ECS) is one of the largest and most visually prominent supporters group of the Seattle Sounders FC. Their allegiance dates back to 2005 as the main fans based organization to the Sounders of the United Soccer League’s first division (USL-1). Blunt and concisely put, these fans are nuts and I LOVE IT.

Each and every game the ECS is out in full force with a bevy of rave green clad fans that sport various flags, scarves, horns and many other items that show their evergreen spirit and devotion to their boys. You hear the folklore and rumors about football hooligans and crazy passionate fans in Europe. Well to be honest, I’ve seen some of those fans and have been to international soccer games abroad, and really if you want a taste of supporters who bleed for their team, just turn to the ECS.

It brings a smile to my face every time I see the fans in the south end of Qwest field up on their feet to root for their team. They orchestrate stadium wide cheers that at times are deafening because the stadium is so loud. Qwest field is known as one of the most hostile places to play in the NFL, and the members of the ECS use their lungs to make Seattle one of the loudest and hostile places to play in the MLS.

One cheer that always happens during games is one that starts with the ECS chanting “SEATTLE” at the top of their lungs in order to have the north end of the stadium respond with an enthusiastic “SOUNDERS.” A very simple cheer that goes back and forth for usually a good 30 seconds, but the amount of decibels acquired during that time is unreal. If I were an opposing player and witnessed that, I would stop dead in my sprint and stand in awe of the collective heckling.

With each home game brings an opportunity for the ECS to shine and strut their stuff. They boasted banners that spanned the entire section and flags up the wazoo of kitschy phrases such as “In Keller we Trust.” Which by the way, was made into a t-shirt, and yes I do indeed have one.

Pundits and personalities alike in the soccer world have heralded Seattle for the type of atmosphere and support for the game that exists in our fine city. I believe a lot of that credit should go to the fans, and namely the ECS.

Sounders 2009 Top 10: 10 – Victory over KC for a Playoffs Spot

On October 17, the Sounders marched on to one of the smallest pitches, but one of the best kept natural grass fields in the league to battle the Kansas City Wizards. The air around Community America Ballpark and in the bars and homes of those in Seattle was filled with anticipation as the Sounders were on the verge of yet another feat in their already historic season.

With a win in the second to last game of the regular season, the Sounders would be the first expansion team to reach the MLS playoffs in their first year since the Chicago Fire achieved the same feat back in 1998.

Having not played well on the road most of the season, it was uplifting to see defender Tyrone Marshall net a goal in the 28^th minute. As the first half closed, I was in good spirits and hopeful that the boys could hold on for the win. But within the first 10 minutes of the 2^nd half, the Wizards had answered the call with a goal at 51 minutes and then again two minutes later in the 53^rd. At this point, to be honest, I was a little sunken hearted. Like many other road games this season, the Sounders had had a lead, but failed to play the full 90 to hold on for the win.

Fortunes would turn on this faithful night as Freddie Ljungberg, former Arsenal star, and Seattle’s franchise player would orchestrate an attack on the Kansas City defense that would result in the Swede assisting goals by Roger Levesque, and Nate Jaqua. Ljungberg would later go on to receive MLS Player of the Month honors as a result of his efforts in this game. The 3-2 victory reserved a place for the Sounders in the MLS Playoffs and also capped an intriguing season series with a team that has a long deep-rooted history in the league.