Photo by @SoundersFC
Everything Earned
While we set the bar high as Sounders - playoffs, trophies, high seeds, golazos - it’s important to remember as we head into our 13th consecutive postseason: Nothing is given. Everything is earned.
For the final home match of the regular season, we took inspiration from old boxing posters to showcase one of our leaders. João Paulo has been a rock in the midfield this season, showing Sounders fans, media, and opposing clubs why he should absolutely be in the MVP discussions.
If you want to help with tifo during the playoff push, fill out this form to get notified or check out the forum soon to see when we need you.
Scenario C: Vancouver wins by 4 on 11/7: Vancouver wins
Scenario D: Vancouver wins by 5+ on 11/7: Vancouver wins
Tiebreaker 2: Greater goal difference in matches between teams concerned
Tiebreaker 3: Greater number of goals scored in matches between teams concerned
Photos by @PMWmf
Build a Bonfire, Twice!
Few things can unite supporters groups like the mutual hatred of an opposing fan base. ECS joined forces with Royal Guard, OL Reign’s supporters group, to remind Portland that we’re all building this bonfire together - and by ‘we’, we mean Seattle and Tacoma.
The Reign are no strangers to the Portland rivalry and their old/new head coach Laura Harvey is ready to lead her team into war against the Thorns once again. She coached Seattle Reign FC for the first five years of the National Women’s Soccer League (2013-2017) and recently returned as OL Reign head coach.
For the Sounders, this rivalry crosses generational lines. It gets passed down from one year’s team to the next, from NASL to WSL to USL to MLS. Locals like Jordan Morris and Kelyn Rowe were raised on it and our teenagers understand it from day one. It was only fitting that our coffee-drinking steward holds the torch to keep this bonfire burning.
All in, this two overhead, one curtain display took approximately 400 volunteer hours of sewing, designing, painting, and deployment work, a great joint effort by members of ECS and RG. For ECS members, if you want to join a future tifo production session, or help with future deployments, fill out this form, for Royal Guard members or interested folks, follow @RoyalGuard_SG for ways to get involved.
- 8/15 Seattle @ Portland
- 8/29 Portland @ Seattle
- 9/10 Portland @ Vancouver
- 10/9 Vancouver @ Seattle
- 10/20 Vancouver @ Portland
- 11/7 Seattle @ Vancouver
Photo by Andrew Weldon
Together with Pride
With every match in 2021, it gives us another chance to celebrate being back together in support of our boys. Together with Pride also reunites the LGBTQ+ community and allies, reminding all that we support Our City, Our Club, and Our Love. In ECS, you are welcome as you are and as you choose to be. There is room in our community for you to be seen and accepted as your true self.
With the current legislative attacks around the country on transgender people, including transgender kids who just want to play sports, it’s even more important for folx of all ages, genders, and identities to know that they are welcomed and safe in sporting culture. Building that safe space in our community also allows for newly LGBTQ+ people to trust they won’t be turned away from their soccer family. As one Sounder shared on social media this weekend, “Love whoever the F you want.”
The Progress Pride Flag design used in the PRIDE lettering was designed in 2018 by Daniel Quasar. Built on the rainbow flag, xe included both the transgender flag and brown and black for LGBTQ+ communities of color into the design.