BIG DEAL: The USL Sounders' penalty kick advancement over the MLS Kansas City Wizards at Qwest Field in July of 2008 was a big deal to Seattle's players and fans. A year later the diehards are having to adjust to being one of the targeted 'big boys.' (Rick Morrison photo)
Back when they were the Seattle Sounders of the United Soccer Leagues and playing before average crowds in the mid three thousands, it was an annual tradition to see Seattle go up against the 'big boys' of Major League Soccer in the later rounds of the United States Open Cup. Now that Seattle has a club in MLS in the form of Sounders FC, diehard fans are having to adjust to being the hunted instead of the hunter.
Hunting Sounders FC on Wednesday night will be the USL Portland Timbers. The Timbers still find themselves in the lower league and in the 'underdog' role trying to knock of a 'higher level' club. The City of Roses is abuzz and the match may well sell out all 16,000 or so available tickets by kickoff. It will be shown regionally on Fox Sports Northwest as soon as the Yankees-Mariners game ends. Hundreds of Sounders FC fans will descend on PGE Park and they will join with thousands of Portland fans in making what promises to be a great atmosphere for a match.
As a longtime supporter of Seattle soccer I have to say it just isn't as much fun being on the side that is 'expected' to win.
The 2007 USL Sounders bashed the MLS Rapids 5-0 at Qwest in the Open Cup.
The USL Sounders made mincemeat of multiple MLS clubs in cup runs over the last two seasons. Now we enter the tournament in the 'sweet sixteen' with giant targets on our chests and a traditional rival holding drawn bows and arrows. I don't know if Sigi Schmid is completely aware of what he's bringing his club into, but he's got assistant coach Brian Schmetzer to remind him if need be. This is not 'just another match' for the USL side. It is their chance to knock off an MLS club, a rival, and make 2011 when they join the top league seem closer rather than farther away.
Seattle fans for the most part remain blissfully unaware of how big this match is for the opponent. It is understandable in light of how many new fans are on board and have never heard of the history of the Seattle-Portland derby, which dates back to 1975. Having fans and perhaps even a front office that is going easy on news and pre-talk for this match (notice the lack of buzz and promotion over at SoundersFC.com?) is one thing, having our players and coaches take it too lightly is another disaster-in-waiting altogether.
The Sounders are the 'bigger club,' the 'higher level club,' and they should beat Portland Wednesday night and advance to the next round of the USOC.
Just writing that makes me squirm.
MLSnet.com: Seattle-Portland rivalry remains intense
Seattle Times: Another level
Seattle P-I: Rivalry renewed
Oregonian: A fight for every ball
Seattle Offside: PDX front office issues fan behavior plea
Comments
Oh, this is so true. I much preferred being the underdog.
Man, it's gonna be something watching all those Flounders fans getting on their buses with their fishtails between their legs!
I love PGE park.
Will the halftime show be a Beavers baseball game? ;)
I heard that Merritt Paulson is handing out free donuts to the first dozen Sounders fans through the gates - get there early!!
I heard that in a complete turn around in form the TA will actually promote themselves during a soccer match! Go us, um I mean, team!
Cinders fans clearing their cookies / caches to vote multiple times. What, you've got all three job applications done for the week? LOL
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