Here's to you, Seattle.
Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 4:02PM Seattle has the greatest fans in the world! There I said it. Obviously there are cities around the country that would disagree: Philadelphia, Boston and New York immediately come to mind. But Seattle, they have something backing them that these other cities do not. In the past couple years, there have been only two successful teams from the Emerald City.
The Seahawks? No, they're coming off a 4-12 season and playing with a 2-4 record this year.
The Mariners? Although the team improved from last year's 101-loss season, they still haven't made the playoffs since the 2001 record setting 116 win season.
The Sonics? Oops...my bad.
The Huskies? Well, after a winless 2008, the Dawgs just let Oregon come in to Husky Stadium where the Ducks just physically over-matched UW and made it nearly impossible for a bowl game this season.
What two teams am I talking about? The WNBA's Seattle Storm and the MLS Seattle Sounders FC are the only teams in Seattle to have recently made the post-season in their sports. The Storm even won a WNBA Championship in 2004.
The Seattle Sounders FC clinched a playoff spot in their first year of existence on Saturday night as they beat Dallas. Congratulations Sounders! Well done. But what's even more impressive? The Sounders have sold out every home game this year on its way to breaking the record for highest average attendance. The team has been a breath of fresh air in what has seemingly been a disappointing couple years of sports in Seattle.
A year removed from a messy split between Seattle and the city's longest standing professional sports team, the Supersonics, fans are showing why this is the greatest sports city in the world!
During the trial to keep the Sonics in Seattle, there was a common argument brought up by the team's owners that sports contribute no economical or social benefit to cities. What an absurd idea! All one needs to do to see the benefit and impact of sports on a city is head to Pioneer Square before a Sounders game. Fans march through the square holding banners, waving flags and chanting. The crowd grows more and more as it nears the stadium. Fans join in leaving their selected pre-function (pre-funk) restaurant or pub.
Then, these same fans provide Qwest Field with 90 minutes of constant energy and support. It truly is a magnificent sight and serves as reassurance of how great a sports town Seattle is.
Porter Novelli Seattle, Sounders FC, seattle in Sports
Reader Comments (3)
Saturday's match was pretty incredible. They had gone about 5 full home matches without scoring a goal. Needless to say when Jaqua put one in the back of the net, the stadium went absolutely bonkers.
One new sports club can't exactly replace 40 years of pro basketball history, but the Sounders have, at the least, served as a cathartic release for the disenfranchised.
I have to admit, I was skeptical (at best) about how Seattle would fare as a soccer city. But I have been impressed with the Sounders and the fan response! It's fun to be a city that can say, during a down season "It'll be better, come ______ season!"
You both bring up great points. I really hope other leagues will take a look at how the city has embraced soccer and decide Seattle can be a successful market for their sport (Hint: NHL and maybe NBA, again). The loss of the Sonics still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth but the Sounders emergence as a playoff team couldn't have come at a better time.