Once…Twice…Three Times a Game Day

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April 14-18.

After a break to install a grass field for this summer’s World Cup, professional football (aka soccer) has returned to Seattle. To make up for lost time, “Seattle Stadium” hosted three matches last week. 


Yes, they are matches and not games as the title of this post suggests. However, “three times a match day” doesn’t go as far as “three times a game day” to put a famous Lionel Ritchie song in your head. Lionel’s soulful ballad perfectly captures how sentimental we feel about seeing our team play without watching them on a screen. It’s just not the same without the drums, banners, chants, and contact high you get following the crowd out of the stadium on the way back to your car. Of course we were there for all three matches. 


Match 1 was the US Women’s National Team versus Japan on Tuesday. It was a friendly match, meaning not part of a formal competition, but that didn’t mean that it wasn’t competitive. Japan had an iron defense that never seemed to get stretched out of shape. They also scored an impressive goal for a hard fought 1-0 victory. Team USA saved their star power until the end of the second half, testing the depth of their roster. Former Seattle Reign players Emily Sonnet and Phallon Tullís-Joyce got a warm welcome from the Seattle crowd, and especially from Erika. It was a bright spot on a cold and rainy evening. 


For Match 2 we joined the Emerald City Supporters in the march to the match the next night, singing chants all the way to the stadium. Mexican club Tigres was in town as part of a North American tournament of champions (CONCACAF). The Sounders lost to Tigres 2-0 in Monterrey, MX the week before- so they needed to bring the fire on this (even colder and wetter) night to win by three and stay in the tournament. 


Our team played like the champions they are, scoring three on Tigres. Sadly, the boys gave up a goal in the first half, ultimately ending their tournament run. For their part Tigres made the match nearly unwatchable with their flopping and time wasting. Such shenanigans really detract from the sport. Still, their antics could not repress the ripple of excitement as the Sounders stepped up to their potential. We just watched a team that could win the MLS cup!


Match 3 finally brought a break in the weather. It was a gorgeous Seattle evening, warm enough for short sleeves and a welcome contrast from the winter coats and rain gear needed earlier in the week. The Sounders showed off their deep bench, resting several players and still winning 4-1 over St. Louis. Captain Cristian Roldan scored a brace (two goals) and shoved the ball under his shirt to look like a pregnant belly. Looks like there will be another Sounders baby on the way. An excellent sign of more good fortune to come!

Location: Seattle, WA, USA

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