Sounders v. Whitecaps AWAY
September 24 is the last Cascadia Derby match for the sounders, and it's been a must-do even on my calendar for over a year. The match is the last Whitecaps game in the temporary Empire Field Stadium, at the Pacific Exposition Center. We missed playing int he re-modeled BC Place Stadium by just a week, as it opens for business next week with it's new retractable roof.
Gameday started easily, we opted for a DIY method of arrival over and drove up instead of joining the ECS on their buses. I think with the late start of the game, and the attraction of a weekend in Vancouver many others were also allured by this method of arrival. For us, the drive was uneventful and awe arrived at our hotel around noon. Some afternoon sightseeing, and then off to rendezvous with our fellow supporters, SuperFans Mike, Nancy and Emerson who we have become good friends as we sit just a row in front of them at CenturyLink Field. For some of the ECS that were not on the bus it was discussed to meet at The Pressbox, a small sports pub attached to a Holiday Inn Express near the stadium. Evidently we were not the only ones, as by 5pm it was nearly "sold-out" for space. Turns out this is the favorite for many of the Whitecaps supporters and the look of absolute surprise when they were eclipsed by a sea of Rave Green was priceless. Indeed the five of us eased our way across the street to Tom & Jerry's and enjoyed some Rickards Red and a pre-match meal.
The stadium is really not much to talk about, and as this was the last match there's nothing to pass on. They did a good job with the temporary environment, but it still felt like a concert at the fairgrounds.
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| Canadian for Beer Garden? |
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| Seriously - what the heck is that mascot?? |
We had purchased our seats in the visitor section adjacent to the ECS. We entered the pitch at 15min to game time and the ECS were really rocking the stadium. As the Star Spangled Banner played, the U.S. contingent sang loudly. The Canadians followed suit with their anthem.
With the anthems past, the the supporters went about displaying their tifo's. The Southside Supporters put up a large British Columbia flag with the words "The sun will never set" and passed it down the south side of the stadium. Next the ECS deployed theirs, topical and relevant as ever:
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| Mauro brings the rage. |
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| Note the two familiar faces in the lower right |
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| Clever two-poles: "Duty Free" and "Canada - America's Hat" |
Quick primer on the Cascadia Cup for those not familiar. Cascadia is the hopeful notion of a fictional nation made of northern Oregon, Washington and southwest British Columbia. The Cascadia Cup is a perpetual trophy created in 2004 by the supporters groups of the three teams in the region, and is given each year to the team that has the best head to head record among the three teams. Going into this match the Sounders needed a win to clinch, otherwise they would need help as the last match to remain had the Whitecaps hosting the Timbers (in the "new" BC Place!). To see this years record and years past, have a look at this site.
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| The Cascadia Cup |
It warms the hearts of Sounders fans to know that two members of the Timbers Army (the former holders) had to drive to Vancouver this weekend to hand over the cup if the Sounders were to win. Oh what joy!
More about the atmosphere. With out the ECS the place would have been not unlike a Mariners game on a Tuesday night in September - dead quiet. They made their efforts to emote, and had some call and repeat. With 1500 visiting fans they had not chance but to sit in awe of the Sounders fans, lead by the ECS.
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| Boom-boom-clap |
To be fair they did do a White/Caps echo chant, and they loved to stomp their feet on the aluminum decking from their seats. Yes, the Vancouver fans sit during their matches. After the Sounders scored to level, the easy retort were the ECS standard songs "You only sing when you are winning" and later after Montero's brace, "It's all gone quiet over there!" The Kasey Keller song was brought out as soon as Kasey made it to his post before kick-off, and was brought back at least two more times. Mike Fucito didn't even make it on the pitch for the match, but he got to hear his song at half-time warm-ups.
If you want to hear what the Southsiders thought about their performance (and the ECS's) have a read here.
As for the match - you all watched it right? Hassili was shutdown by our center backs, the 'Caps scored on breakaway by two offside players. Famed centerback, US National Team player and DP, Jay DeMerit commits a hand-ball foul in the box, setting up Brad Evens to sink the PK to level it. Yada yada yada, Keller's big and tall, Montero scores twice in four minutes in the second half. Celebrate.
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| The Timbers Army hands over the goods while a Southsider representative looks on |
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| The cup get's passed on while USWNT forward and Carrasco's girl-fan, Alex Morgan watches on |
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| Looks like they will let anyone handle it - even gingers! |
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| Check out our super fans - Nancy and Emerson (photo: Arlo White) |
By the end of the evening, we could only look at each other and think what a night, and thank god we won! With wins in both our rivals stadiums, the residents of Seattle have a lot to smile about. For us, the trip was great. Tempered only by a lack-luster stadium and location, but it's all looking good for downtown's BC Place next year. Driving down Robson this morning Marnye and I were discussing where the the march to the match should be and what hotel and pub would be best for Rave Green party crashers.
This is my third game on the road this season, and my record stands at 3-0. And like a broken record, I recommend to one and all to hit the road and join the Sounders where ever they may go. EBFG!
Casey & Marnye
