Seattle Sounders FC supporters
Encyclopedia
Seattle Sounders FC supporters are the supporters of the Major League Soccer
club Seattle Sounders FC
which was established in 2007 and played its first MLS season in 2009. There are seven recognized supporters groups
for Sounders FC including Emerald City Supporters
, SoCal Sound, Gorilla FC
, North End Supporters, and Immortal Fury.
In their debut season, the Sounders amassed the largest average attendance in the league with 30,943 fans. Sounders FC also made the 50 Best-Supported Clubs as per World Soccer Magazine ranking number 50. In 2010, the Sounders capped their season ticket capacity at 32,000. By late January, there were fewer than 1,000 season-ticket packages remaining.
(ECS) is an independent supporters group that was formed in 2005 to support the USL Sounders
. They are currently the largest supporter group and are located in the south end of the stadium in sections 121–123. The group is known for their displays of tifo
and chanting. In addition, the supporter group is an umbrella organization with several sub-supporter groups mostly in different geographical locations such as Los Angeles.
, Gorilla FC raised over $20,000 dollars with the help of players Steve Zakuani
, Patrick Ianni
, and James Riley.
s, focuses on bringing color to the south end of the stadium by displaying the national flags of several countries. Flags from Colombia, Sweden, and France can be seen in this section.
to Qwest before each home game, is led by the Sound Wave.
and Seattle–Vancouver rivalries formed in the years that the NASL-Sounders and USL-Sounders were playing in Seattle. These geographic rivalries are expected to continue when the MLS awards teams to both Portland and Vancouver for the 2011 season. In 2004 the fan-based Cascadia Cup
was created to formalize the competition between the Seattle, Portland
, and Vancouver USL teams.
The fan-created Heritage Cup competition with the San Jose Earthquakes
was begun in the 2009 MLS season. MLS teams that carry on the names of their NASL predecessors are eligible to compete. The results of their league matches determine the winner.
The ECS notes that the Timbers Army
are among their biggest rivalries.
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
club Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...
which was established in 2007 and played its first MLS season in 2009. There are seven recognized supporters groups
Supporters groups
Supporters groups or supporters clubs are independent fan clubs in association football, particularly in English speaking counties.Supporters groups in Europe are generally known as Ultras which derives from the Latin word deriving from ultrā, meaning beyond in English, with the implication that...
for Sounders FC including Emerald City Supporters
Emerald City Supporters
Emerald City Supporters is an independent supporters' group for Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders FC.-History and name:Emerald City Supporters was founded in 2005 by the supporters of the now defunct Seattle Sounders soccer team that played in the United Soccer Leagues First Division...
, SoCal Sound, Gorilla FC
Gorilla FC
Gorilla FC is an independent supporters' group for Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders FC.-Organization:Gorilla FC was formed in 2009 to support Seattle Sounders FC. It is the reincarnation of the anti-globalization activist group, Guerrilla FC...
, North End Supporters, and Immortal Fury.
Demographics
The Sounders limited Century Link Field's capacity for MLS games with certain seating sections covered with tarpaulins to provide "a more intimate atmosphere" and opens the entire stadium for international friendly matches. Initially, the capacity was limited to 24,500 before the start of the inaugural season. However, due to high demand, capacity has been increased multiple times with it currently set at 35,700 for the 2010 season.In their debut season, the Sounders amassed the largest average attendance in the league with 30,943 fans. Sounders FC also made the 50 Best-Supported Clubs as per World Soccer Magazine ranking number 50. In 2010, the Sounders capped their season ticket capacity at 32,000. By late January, there were fewer than 1,000 season-ticket packages remaining.
Supporter Groups
Emerald City Supporters
The Emerald City SupportersEmerald City Supporters
Emerald City Supporters is an independent supporters' group for Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders FC.-History and name:Emerald City Supporters was founded in 2005 by the supporters of the now defunct Seattle Sounders soccer team that played in the United Soccer Leagues First Division...
(ECS) is an independent supporters group that was formed in 2005 to support the USL Sounders
Seattle Sounders (USL)
Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's...
. They are currently the largest supporter group and are located in the south end of the stadium in sections 121–123. The group is known for their displays of tifo
Tifo
Tifo, originally the Italian word for the phenomenon of supporting a sport team, is mostly used as a name for any spectacular choreography displayed by supporters on the terraces of an arena or stadium in connection with a sport event, mostly a football match....
and chanting. In addition, the supporter group is an umbrella organization with several sub-supporter groups mostly in different geographical locations such as Los Angeles.
Gorilla FC
Gorilla FC is a group which supports Sounders FC and also sits in the south end of Qwest Field in section 120. They are an anti-FA support group who categorizes themselves as an anti-racist, anti-sexist, and anti-homophobic supporters group. The group is also active in local charitable causes. In the wake of the Haiti disaster2010 Haiti earthquake
The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, with an epicentre near the town of Léogâne, approximately west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks...
, Gorilla FC raised over $20,000 dollars with the help of players Steve Zakuani
Steve Zakuani
Steve Zakuani is a Congolese footballer who currently plays for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer. Born in Zaire , Zakuani grew up in London before attending the University of Akron on a soccer scholarship...
, Patrick Ianni
Patrick Ianni
Patrick Edward Joseph Ianni is an American soccer player who currently plays for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
, and James Riley.
The North End Supporters
The North End Supporters was founded in April 2009 with hopes of uniting the fans of the north end sections of the stadium. The NES primarily sits in the north end of the stadium beneath the "Hawks Nest" in sections 100 and 144–152. They also sit in the upper sections of 100, 101, 102, 142, 143, and 144.Immortal Fury
Immortal Fury was founded in March 2008. It was formed in the fashion of South American torcidaTorcida
Torcidas organizadas are formal associations of football fans in Brazil in the same vein as Argentine hinchadas and European ultras. The name is based on the verb torcer, which means "to root for" but also "to wring" and "to turn"...
s, focuses on bringing color to the south end of the stadium by displaying the national flags of several countries. Flags from Colombia, Sweden, and France can be seen in this section.
The Sound Wave
Carey also requested that Sounders FC have their own marching band. They are the first club in the MLS to have one. This led to the creation of the Sound Wave, a 53-member marching band consisting of brass and marching percussion. The band plays music from multiple genres such as Latin, rock and pop, and sits with the supporters in the north end of Qwest Field. The March to the Match, in which fans march from Occidental ParkOccidental Park (Seattle)
Occidental Park, also referred to as Occidental Square and Occidental Mall , is a 0.6 acre public park located in the Pioneer Square district of Seattle, Washington. Created in 1971, it essentially consists of the Occidental Avenue S. right-of-way between S. Washington and S...
to Qwest before each home game, is led by the Sound Wave.
Rivalries
The Seattle–PortlandSeattle Sounders – Portland Timbers rivalry
The Seattle–Portland rivalry is a soccer rivalry between the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers soccer teams. The rivalry pre-dates the current teams in both cities, back to the North American Soccer League days, and has since grown into one of the largest and most bitter rivalries in...
and Seattle–Vancouver rivalries formed in the years that the NASL-Sounders and USL-Sounders were playing in Seattle. These geographic rivalries are expected to continue when the MLS awards teams to both Portland and Vancouver for the 2011 season. In 2004 the fan-based Cascadia Cup
Cascadia Cup
The Cascadia Cup is the name of the trophy created in 2004 by supporters of the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, which is awarded each season to the best soccer team in the Pacific Northwest. The Timbers, Sounders, and Whitecaps have roots dating to the days of the...
was created to formalize the competition between the Seattle, Portland
Portland Timbers (USL)
Portland Timbers was an American professional soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 2001, the team played in various leagues at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, including the USL First Division and the USSF Division 2 Professional League, until the end of...
, and Vancouver USL teams.
The fan-created Heritage Cup competition with the San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team is located in the San Jose, California, United States suburb of Santa Clara, and participates in Major League Soccer , the top level soccer league in the United States and Canada....
was begun in the 2009 MLS season. MLS teams that carry on the names of their NASL predecessors are eligible to compete. The results of their league matches determine the winner.
The ECS notes that the Timbers Army
Timbers Army
The Timbers Army is an independent supporters group of Portland Timbers, a football club in Major League Soccer—the top tier of the United States soccer pyramid. Its members are known for their loud, enthusiastic support and the raucous atmosphere they create at Timbers games...
are among their biggest rivalries.