Sigi Schmid has seen the opening of a state-of-the-art soccer specific stadium as the coach of the Los Angeles Galaxy years ago (Home Depot Center in Carson, CA), and now is at the helm of the Seattle Sounders FC as they started their 2009 expansion season in Major League Soccer (MLS) at Qwest Field in front of 30,000+ fans.
Having lived through two real-life 'Fields of Dream' in MLS, the Sounders have truly proven that 'if you build it, they will come'. Their fervent fan support creates the ideal setting to see a soccer match. Schmid emailed me the other day, and referenced "If there is a place to see a game in the states, it is here".
The Sounders and their support at Qwest Field has developed a tremendous fan base, and have converted loyal NFL fans like the Seattle Times columnist Danny O'Neil to their city's new team.
Mariners fans can't manage to sustain a three-syllable "I-chi-ro" chant for more than a couple of rounds, and here were soccer fans singing entire songs that celebrated the team, imbibing beer to celebrate the team and pointing out the lack of songs from Salt Lake fans.
The Emerald City Supporters stayed on their feet from the moment they marched into the stadium more than an hour before kickoff until the match concluded. Players stopped to applaud their support before leaving the pitch.
"There is nothing like the bond between players and supporters," said Eric Gilbertson, a software engineer who is one of the core members of the Emerald City Supporters.
I want to be an Emerald City Supporter. It's the highest compliment I can summon for a group that is now more than 600 strong. They wave flags, they sing songs and I left with a surprisingly favorable opinion of the whole experience.
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