What do you do when you can't get a big away turn out for your club? Well, you recruit regionally to sell tickets and fill a section. This is exactly what Chicago's supporters group "Section 8" have done for Saturday's Qwest Field rumble between Seattle Sounders FC and the Chicago Fire. Don't be fooled by appearances, Sounders fans. That small group of Fire supporters will be at least half full of Portland Timbers Army folks donning Fire gear for a day. If you've got the stomach for it you can read about the whole silly adventure here, here and here.
"Sparky," the Chicago Fire mascot, is photographed with an anti-Sounders scarf. When contacted, Becky from the Chicago Fire front office said "Thanks for the email. I don't know what the context here is for the photo. Perhaps a fan asked him to hold it up to snap a photo. I'll make a point to remind him to be sensitive to situations like this when in uniform. Thanks again! Becky."
Match Previews:
MLSnet.com: Fire take road form into Seattle
Olympian: Chicago defender has Seattle future
Sports Network: Chicago hits the road against exapansion Sounders FC
Prost Amerika: Match preview
MLS-Rumors.net: United in hate
The important thing is the match, of course, and it looks to be a really good one. Both sides are competing for playoff spots and will remember Chicago's dominating performance back east in May where Seattle was lucky to escape with a 1:1 draw. Since then the Fire have continued to struggle at home and play well away.
Here are some Sounders FC club notes about tomorrow's match:
First Meeting Recap: Sounders FC 1, Chicago Fire 1
Tyrone Marshall’s goal in the 74th minute earned the shorthanded Seattle Sounders FC a 1-1 draw with the unbeaten Chicago Fire. Seattle played the final 42 minutes with 10 men following a red card to top scorer Fredy Montero. Chicago took a 1-0 lead in the 68th minute on an 18-yard shot by Marco Pappa.
Marshall’s goal, the first in two years by the central defender, came from close range as his outstretched left foot poked home a corner kick from Freddie Ljungberg. It was Ljungberg’s first MLS assist and it was also Seattle’s first goal off a set piece this season.
Pappa’s goal was a first-time hit following a pass by Cuauhtemoc Blanco from the right side of the box. It was Pappa’s third goal of the season and the first goal allowed by Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller after a record 457 scoreless minutes to begin the season.
Montero was ejected in the 48th minute after his elbow struck Chicago’s Gonzalo Segares as the two battled for a header. Montero will miss Seattle’s next match.
Keller made four saves as Chicago finished with a 15-4 advantage in shots, including 5-1 on goal.
Chicago Minus McBride
Chicago will play the next three to four months without star striker Brian McBride, who underwent shoulder surgery last week. McBride leads the Fire with six goals. Mexico National Team midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco came on late to score a goal and an assist in the 2-0 home win over San Jose last Saturday.
Chicago-Sounders FC Connections
Midfielder Stephen King played for Fire during his MLS rookie season in 2008 and he was selected by Seattle in the expansion draft. Forward Nate Jaqua played his first four pro seasons in Chicago (2003-06).
The Fire’s Brandon Prideaux, a Seattle area native, played for the University of Washington and the USL-1 Sounders as a rookie in 1998. Prideaux, 32, announced in June that he will retire at the end of the 2009 season and join the Huskies as an assistant coach.
Comments
LOL. "Sparky."
Dear Fire front office, I would never have held up a 'Burn Chicago' scarf. Sincerely, the recently retired Sammy Sounder. :)
I read an article, can't remember where, that reported a Portland Timber Army soldier was offered some kind of incentive to cheer for Seattle's opponent. He was offended and said they'd never stoop to that level.
"We have integrity, we do it because we hate Seattle."
I had to laugh about the Timbers Army holding themselves to such a high standard. Maybe they've lowered the bar?
Well Suction 8 (typo on purpose) could have recruited some northwest street people. Oh wait, I guess they DID. LOL
maybe you jerkoffs should form an alliance with those fools from Columbus and do the same thing to Chicago
We already drew hundreds to Chicago in May...ON OUR OWN.
I've never seen such cry baby garbage in my life. Alerting head of insecurity to what scarves to look for? You fools are tools! When you came to Portland we planned ahead to make sure your section was good to go, and that the possible problems didn't happen. You are looking like you want trouble to start by making this poor article.
Yes, Lendog. That's it. We also created ACES and buy off the officials. Seriously though, do NOT bring those "Falk Seattle" scarves to Qwest. They are looking out for them.
"We already drew hundreds to Chicago in May...ON OUR OWN. "
lol @ lies, you had about 30 there at most
Thanks for the article Falk...
It's lame...but whatever, as long as they don't hurt anyone. Sounders, remember to tie down your scarf near a rent-a-fan ;)
I'll tell you what's lame...even having enough material to be able to WRITE such an article. LAME is getting a kiddie mascot to pose with such a scarf.
dont be surprised if you start seeing other club mascots holding that scarf up. just saying. lol...you guys crack me up.
When I was in Chicago, I yelled at Sparky that his tail was limp and he couldn't get it up. Sparky then pulls his tail from behind him, pulls it through his legs, and simulated masturbation. Sparky is pretty naughty!
here is another blog hit for you Falky,
The Chicago-Portland alliance is the finest in the nation. We are just doing our duty.
As for the scarves, absolutely unbelievable. Whomever tipped off the suckurity at Qwest should be hung by their nipples.
I think Seattle is getting their feelings hurt.
Finest? You can't combine those two ingredients and end up with anything more than the sorry sum of the original parts, can you?
Chicago couldn't sell out their away section so they went to Portland to fill up the empty seats?
unholy alliance
Sparky's barking up the wrong tree!
Suction 8, you've just been PUNK'D!
Crying and tattling. Just like Seattle fans. I'm no part of the ACES thing, but I'll be up there cheering like hell for the Fire.
Sh**tle's just upset because not a single team in the whole country wants anything to do with them or their corporate manufactured fanbase.
This is Major League Soccer, not Major Friendship League. Seattle are fine. We get it. Grow a pair TA & Suction 8.
That's my photo. I took it when I was at a Fire game at the end of June. In Sparky's defense, he couldn't see s*** through that giant head of his. I literally put the scarf in his hand and said "hold this"
FFS Poddites! Shake the sand out of your collective vags. Biggest bunch of p***y tattletales I've ever seen.
Lil Red, how little is it?
OH NO THE CHRISTMAS BRIGADE IS COMING TO TOWN. Hide your ugly sweaters.
This is ridiculous. Let the ACES idiots do their own thing, it's just sad they spend more energy hating than supporting their own club.
But regarding our (Sounders') corporate fueled support base, I have this to say: Get a clue. Name one club in the global football realm that isn't FAR more corporate than the Sounders. The fact that we have a good relationship with LOCAL businesses (MSFT) makes us a success, not a "less real" supporters group.
I just wonder what you ACES lot will say when Portland has success with corporate sponsorships? Will you bitch and complain and want to send the money back so that your club can be in a worse off financial position? Or will you eat your own shirt and become the biggest hypocrites in the history of MLS supporters?
Many of the Sounders relationships are with charities: King County Boys and Girls Club, America Scores, Soccer Saves.
They're all that and philanthropic, too. Woot, Woot.
This is truly the saddest thing I've ever heard of.
Highest unemployment rate in the country, highest rate of depression, highest incidence of meth addiction, highest rate of anti-depressant use = Portland = "non-corporate" = "damn, I wish somebody would employ me, I'm sad :("
To all Sounders fans:
We know that the Timbers fans really don't have anything on us. Their insults are only of the W-T-F variety. For instance, W-T-F are they talking about when they say we are corporate? Paulson family? Goldman Sachs? Nike logo on their pitch? Two jersey sponsors? Just remember, this style of smack is all they have. Nothing they say about us is true, and they spend most of their limited time on this earth obsessing about us and wishing us harm. It is best just to counter them with facts and not pile on too much. We have more important things to focus on in life. Let them "laugh" at us, knowing full well that they are in reality crying behind their keyboards.
Portland it THE most corporate club out there with their ties to GWB crony and evil master mind Hank Paulson of Goldman Sachs/Fed Reserve fame. All those hipster douche meth addicts unwittingly cheering on the most corporate, right-wing connected ownership group in all of soccerdom, priceless!
I find it funny that the Timbers/Tumbers/Twigs/Sawdust fans are calling the Sounders about corporate sponsership and sellouts. I recall seeing TOYOTA proudly displayed on the front of their jerseys. Perhaps they should be called the Priuses!
And they want all to fear the Timbers Army - sort of like - I don't know - like "Mufasa" - woooooo!
Win or lose, we can all laugh at Portland.
Hey Seattle, don't get mad because Chicago and Portland Ultras both don't like your brand of fake atmosphere. It's not for everyone.
No one gets to talk s**t about not filling a section on the opposite end of the country when they still have a marching band in the stadium.
Greener- Sh**tle doesn't even rhyme or flow with Seattle. Literacy fail. But hey, you're from PDX, I forgive you.
Corporate is EVERY SINGLE TEAM in the Premiere League, and MLS. And NFL. And NBA. And MLB. Get it? Now shut up and go drown your hipster conspiracy theories in another PBR.
Here is another W-T-F smack by Portland fans. We have fake atmosphere? What are they talking about? Fake lumberjack running around with a chainsaw? No stands on one side of the field? Field-level beer garden with tables and seating and wine? Foo-foo athletic club behind one goal? 30,000 Sounders fans stand during the whole game, and everyone gets involved with chants and responding to the events on the field. Timbers fans are straight up jealous. Maybe Henry Paulson will get George Bush to kick the first ball for their inaugural MLS match.
haha growapair! your pretty funny can you even get flares into a game at your american football stadium? have you ever been to a game in chicago? let me say i do like the whole standing during the whole game its pretty sweet, but please come to chicago and see the non stop cheering of S8 we are the original ultras of the MLS and always will be
What I find laughable is Chicago allying itself with Portland. Portland is like the Green Bay Wisconsin of the West Coast. Chicago normally doesnt hang with 2nd tier cities. I guess like all one night stands they let their brains get outvoted by something else. Enjoy your Flag of Convenience Alliance Portscum and Chicago, and Portland dont be surprised if Chicago dumps your ugly ass once they sober up.
CHIFIRE, ask some of the original Section 8 people about your connection to the Sounders. American soccer history is very interesting when you delve into it.
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