Emerald City Supporters

  The north west corner of the United States is where my journey starts. The consistent size of the crowds in Seattle and Portland in addition to the strong supporter culture draws me in like a magnet. I think to myself, if there is any place in this country that will give me the energy of a European match, it will be here.

On May 20th I flew into Seattle. I took a few days to drive around Olympic National Forest before returning to Seattle on the 23rd. That afternoon, I went to the square where the different groups that make up the ECS come together... I have no way to describe the euphoria I felt at that moment. It was like a school bell went off for the last day of school. Supporters all at once started pouring out of the pubs, and gathering in front of a banner. With army precision, in a matter of moments, the bars were emptied and the ECS were marching through the city singing and chanting.

The fact that they were downtown made their voices echo between the building. I knew to expect this march, but the roar was beyond my imagination. I tried to take a little video, but my adrenaline was pumping so much, I couldn't keep my camera steady.

As the ECS marched down the streets, more and more people filed out of bars along the way and joined the march. These supporters were ready for battle. They were ready for 90+ minutes of nonstop singing, dancing, chanting, and drinking. They were ready to make it miserable for the traveling Columbus Crew while simultaneously giving the Sounders that extra push of energy and support.

"Burn destroy wreck and kill, Whoa, Whoa
  Burn destroy wreck and kill, Whoa, Whoa
  Burn destroy wreck and kill, Seattle Sounders surely will!
  Whoa, ooohhh, oohh!"

I wish the visiting team was forced to see this march. It is intimidating to see 100's... dare I say 1000+ people march towards the field in unison while screaming at the top of their lungs, "Burn destroy wreck and kill."

Once inside the stadium, The Emerald City Supporters take it to the next level. The shear volume of people in the crowd is overwhelming (larger them most MLB crowds.) As the starting 11 are announced, the ECS raise their scarves to show their support.

As soon as the National Anthem has finished, the chants resume and the kickoff starts the game.

From the individual to the masses they do their part to get behind their team.

Now I have been to other MLS games, and the supporters section standing and singing is common, but when I turned around to look at the rest of the crowd, I noticed something different... They were all standing! An American Football stadium, filled with fans, all standing for their team... I have never seen anything like this before. I haven't even see this on tv, watching european games. I am amazed. This is the perfect start for my project.

As the game comes to an end, the Sounders are trailing 2-nil. Even so, the ECS are not defeated.

"I'm Sounders 'til I die
  I'm Sounders 'til I die
  I know I am, I'm sure I am
  I'm Sounders 'til I die"

Win our lose, they support their team with pride.