^{Photo Credit: @PNWmf on twitter}

The “Pride In Each Other” artwork collection was co-created by eight supporter groups across five North American soccer leagues and Louisiana-based artist Thomas Wimberly. ECS and the seven other supporter groups are taking part in Common Goalʼs Play Proud program, which unites professional clubs, supporter groups, and community organizations in the effort to make soccer a safe and welcoming space for everyone, with a special focus on the LGBTQ+ community. At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under attack across North America, this artwork aims to amplify the message of inclusion.

For this display, we took the original artwork, and two variations of the "Pride in Each Other" sentiment from the original creation - "Pride In The Game" and "Pride In Our Club" and turned them into Sounders-colored 8' x 8' displays held up on PVC. We added the "Pride is 24/7/365" text banner as we deployed this display at the July 1 match, a day when companies who have historically rainbow-washed their logos and social media for Pride Month in June often remove such appearances of support.

Additionally, the original artwork was printed on a 4x6 card that was distributed in cup holders across the Brougham End to provide additional context for fans.

The second half of the 2023 Play Proud program will be hosted by New Mexico United in September.

You can find the Sounders' press release about the Play Proud program here. 

^{Photo Credit: @PNWmf on twitter}

A simple yet important sentiment in the current landscape: offering support or love for our LGBTQIA+ family, friends, neighbors, etc., is not enough. Between attempts across the country (and the globe) to take away rights or access via political means, to targeted violence against community events and even businesses who host events or support the community, we must do what we can to protect LGBTQIA+ folks. 

With these text banners, we included approximately 60 various Pride flags and identity flags scattered in the section.

If you want to donate to a local organization with on-the-ground impact, please consider donating to Gender Justice League WA or Lambert House.

^{Photo Credit: @PNWmf on twitter}

The three constants in life: death, taxes, and playing Portland. Our Cascadia Cup campaign didn't start off the way we hoped this season, so we wanted to remind the boys of our legacy of Cascadia wins. The 150-foot-wide curtain came together during a quick production window and went up with 24 ropes. 

^{Photo Credit: @PNWmf on twitter}

After his third studio album release in 1989, LL Cool J was being hammered by critics and peers alike for being soft, many saying he fell off. What followed was a blistering response to those critics with his single, “Mama Said Knock You Out,” inspired by a conversation with his grandmother in which she gave him the titular instructions.

A trip to Morocco for a little tournament called the Club World Cup? Sign us up. After a preseason visit to Spain, the Sounders' world tour added another continent to the list with a trip to Tangier, Morocco. With little time to prepare a display and uncertain guidelines and section space (thanks, FIFA), we went with a text message, adapting a line from a little-known writer, a Mister Shakespeare, to remind the boys - and the rest of our opponents back in the states - that we don't just play domestically. From Honduras to Canada, Argentina to Mexico, Trinidad to Tangier - our club wants to win trophies at home and away.

If you want to join in and support the boys toward more hardware, buy your membership and then sign up to become a volunteer. We'll see you on the terraces soon!