Seattle Sounders 2015 Season Thread

[Smurf]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/BenDudley88/status/595164696107470848[/tweet]

Shouldn't the ECS - after so many years - be past this by now?
One thing (besides the massive flags in my way during important runs of play) that chaps my ass - is the distribution of song sheets at the matches. Come on guys - the world is watching!

1. Every club in MLS hands out song cards. Every. Single. One.

The reason is simple, to help encourage support for the teams, and growth in the fan base.

2. The reason that tweet was viewed as negatively was not due to the fact that song cards exist...its that the songs are horrible. Granted, most songs are world class, but those are just awful...

3. There are 3 other sides to the stadium which are not blocked by flags. If you wish to not be occasionally blocked by flags. Stay the hell away from the Brougham End. That is our end. We will wave flags. It won't change. Sorry if that sounds harsh...its just been 6 years and I'm still tired of hearing it.

4. If you are so against flags and song cards, what is your alternative?

 

[Smurf]

Come on guys - the world is watching!

Well, it's the MLS, so more like Sounders fans and maybe a coupled dude's in NY who fell asleep in their Lay-Z-Boy with the TV on.

Again....MLS has multiple international TV rights....we play during times when must of the world doesn't have other soccer to watch. Especially the national TV broadcasts. The world is watching. Maybe not in numbers like they watch the UEFA Champions League...but they are watching.

 

[Seabhac]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/BenDudley88/status/595164696107470848[/tweet]

Shouldn't the ECS - after so many years - be past this by now?
One thing (besides the massive flags in my way during important runs of play) that chaps my ass - is the distribution of song sheets at the matches. Come on guys - the world is watching!

1. Every club in MLS hands out song cards. Every. Single. One.

The reason is simple, to help encourage support for the teams, and growth in the fan base.

2. The reason that tweet was viewed as negatively was not due to the fact that song cards exist...its that the songs are horrible. Granted, most songs are world class, but those are just awful...

3. There are 3 other sides to the stadium which are not blocked by flags. If you wish to not be occasionally blocked by flags. Stay the hell away from the Brougham End. That is our end. We will wave flags. It won't change. Sorry if that sounds harsh...its just been 6 years and I'm still tired of hearing it.

4. If you are so against flags and song cards, what is your alternative?

Thank you for your bullet points....appreciate that.

All I am asking is that you drop the flags when it looks like Seattle are going to score. Its not occasional - during the Timbers the two big flags were up the whole game - including Dempseys goal. I love the flags and the color - but I am there to support a team and that's hard to do when someone is waving a 15 foot flag instead of focusing on whats going on in the pitch!

The tweet was viewed negatively because it is seen as the anthesis of what terrace culture is all about on the other side of the Atlantic.

I will not stay the "Hell Away"" from the Brougham end. I have been a season ticket holder there for several years. I love the game day atmosphere. I'm sure you and I are on the same side here

My Alternative
1: Flags down when Seattle are attacking the Brougham end .
2: More songs generated without the direction of the Capos.

 

[Smurf]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/BenDudley88/status/595164696107470848[/tweet]

Shouldn't the ECS - after so many years - be past this by now?
One thing (besides the massive flags in my way during important runs of play) that chaps my ass - is the distribution of song sheets at the matches. Come on guys - the world is watching!

1. Every club in MLS hands out song cards. Every. Single. One.

The reason is simple, to help encourage support for the teams, and growth in the fan base.

2. The reason that tweet was viewed as negatively was not due to the fact that song cards exist...its that the songs are horrible. Granted, most songs are world class, but those are just awful...

3. There are 3 other sides to the stadium which are not blocked by flags. If you wish to not be occasionally blocked by flags. Stay the hell away from the Brougham End. That is our end. We will wave flags. It won't change. Sorry if that sounds harsh...its just been 6 years and I'm still tired of hearing it.

4. If you are so against flags and song cards, what is your alternative?

Thank you for your bullet points....appreciate that.

All I am asking is that you drop the flags when it looks like Seattle are going to score. Its not occasional - during the Timbers the two big flags were up the whole game - including Dempseys goal. I love the flags and the color - but I am there to support a team and that's hard to do when someone is waving a 15 foot flag instead of focusing on whats going on in the pitch!

The tweet was viewed negatively because it is seen as the anthesis of what terrace culture is all about on the other side of the Atlantic.

I will not stay the "Hell Away"" from the Brougham end. I have been a season ticket holder there for several years. I love the game day atmosphere. I'm sure you and I are on the same side here

My Alternative
1: Flags down when Seattle are attacking the Brougham end .
2: More songs generated without the direction of the Capos.

1. Simply won't happen. Sorry. Its not changing.

2. England may not use Capo's but the majority of Europe does, especially the stronger supporting countries (Germany, Turkey).

 

[Uncle Si]

Smurfs description of the ECS sounds like a high school pep rally, complete with the "get used to it" attitude.

None of it sounds organic. Sounds planned, maybe forced.

Anyways. Watched the NYC match and was very impressed with the Sounders play. Technical ability on a very narrow field was exceptional.

 

[Smurf]

Smurfs description of the ECS sounds like a high school pep rally, complete with the "get used to it" attitude.

None of it sounds organic. Sounds planned, maybe forced.

Anyways. Watched the NYC match and was very impressed with the Sounders play. Technical ability on a very narrow field was exceptional.

After 6 years of the same complaints, it gets old. The club has even gone the extra mile letting people in that end of the stadium know about the area in which they are sitting.

Song cards are used to encourage new people to join in.


Capo's help keep the chants audible and in time.


Its one way of doing it. I'm sure there are others, but thats how we do it.



We were great on Sunday. Dempsey and Oba were awesome.

 

[Seabhac]

Smurfs description of the ECS sounds like a high school pep rally, complete with the "get used to it" attitude.

None of it sounds organic. Sounds planned, maybe forced.

Anyways. Watched the NYC match and was very impressed with the Sounders play. Technical ability on a very narrow field was exceptional.

After 6 years of the same complaints, it gets old. The club has even gone the extra mile letting people in that end of the stadium know about the area in which they are sitting.

Song cards are used to encourage new people to join in.


Capo's help keep the chants audible and in time.


Its one way of doing it. I'm sure there are others, but thats how we do it.

We were great on Sunday. Dempsey and Oba were awesome.

Si - You hit the nail on the head...It is like a pep rally. It needs to get more organic....and that includes when telling people to put the f**king flag down so I can see the match, I don't get reported to the stewards .
Song cards - naw - proper fans don't do song cards. Not even in Turkey

 

[Smurf]

Smurfs description of the ECS sounds like a high school pep rally, complete with the "get used to it" attitude.

None of it sounds organic. Sounds planned, maybe forced.

Anyways. Watched the NYC match and was very impressed with the Sounders play. Technical ability on a very narrow field was exceptional.

After 6 years of the same complaints, it gets old. The club has even gone the extra mile letting people in that end of the stadium know about the area in which they are sitting.

Song cards are used to encourage new people to join in.


Capo's help keep the chants audible and in time.


Its one way of doing it. I'm sure there are others, but thats how we do it.

We were great on Sunday. Dempsey and Oba were awesome.

Si - You hit the nail on the head...It is like a pep rally. It needs to get more organic....and that includes when telling people to put the f**king flag down so I can see the match, I don't get reported to the stewards .
Song cards - naw - proper fans don't do song cards. Not even in Turkey

Feel free to feel how you feel....but nothing is changing with what is working.

 

[Seabhac]

Organic Change is coming!! The four guys on my left and right and in front and behind have all gotten in trouble over the flags.
Anyway - This year is looking good so far. I may do Portland Away this year.

 

[Uncle Si]

Smurfs description of the ECS sounds like a high school pep rally, complete with the "get used to it" attitude.

None of it sounds organic. Sounds planned, maybe forced.

Anyways. Watched the NYC match and was very impressed with the Sounders play. Technical ability on a very narrow field was exceptional.

After 6 years of the same complaints, it gets old. The club has even gone the extra mile letting people in that end of the stadium know about the area in which they are sitting.

Song cards are used to encourage new people to join in.


Capo's help keep the chants audible and in time.


Its one way of doing it. I'm sure there are others, but thats how we do it.



We were great on Sunday. Dempsey and Oba were awesome.

So... its an organized pep rally, and you tell people to deal with it? Ultra-hip.

Flags shouldn't be waiving during matches. Pre-match, during the walkout, after a goal, after a game. But not during action. Sing, chant, cheer... put down your flags and watch the game.

But whatever. Its not my thing.

Oba looks spry thus far. Surprised me how far ahead he is of the players around him.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Come on guys - the world is watching!

Well, it's the MLS, so more like Sounders fans and maybe a coupled dude's in NY who fell asleep in their Lay-Z-Boy with the TV on.

Again....MLS has multiple international TV rights....we play during times when must of the world doesn't have other soccer to watch. Especially the national TV broadcasts. The world is watching. Maybe not in numbers like they watch the UEFA Champions League...but they are watching.

Again, no they're not. Fox Sport One's and ESPN2's weekend MLS broadcasts average about 200,000 viewers, that's less than a one share. That's in the US, so it's even lower overseas.

Univision TV ratings are sometimes higher, up to 300k viewers if the game of the week is LA.

Either way, to say that the "world is watching" is about the funniest thing I read all day yesterday. I love my Sounders, but ain't no one watching fans sing on a weekend MLS telecast.

 

[Smurf]

Smurfs description of the ECS sounds like a high school pep rally, complete with the "get used to it" attitude.

None of it sounds organic. Sounds planned, maybe forced.

Anyways. Watched the NYC match and was very impressed with the Sounders play. Technical ability on a very narrow field was exceptional.

After 6 years of the same complaints, it gets old. The club has even gone the extra mile letting people in that end of the stadium know about the area in which they are sitting.

Song cards are used to encourage new people to join in.


Capo's help keep the chants audible and in time.


Its one way of doing it. I'm sure there are others, but thats how we do it.



We were great on Sunday. Dempsey and Oba were awesome.

So... its an organized pep rally, and you tell people to deal with it? Ultra-hip.

Flags shouldn't be waiving during matches. Pre-match, during the walkout, after a goal, after a game. But not during action. Sing, chant, cheer... put down your flags and watch the game.

But whatever. Its not my thing.

Oba looks spry thus far. Surprised me how far ahead he is of the players around him.

Sure. Its whatever you say it is.

I'm just letting you know how it functions, and that it wont change....

If you have issues with how its done, then take them up elsewhere. I can't change it, nor would I if I could. Pestering me about it won't change anything. All I've done is explain the why's behind everything and relay the expectations that have been set before us by the ECS and more importantly, the Club.

Not trying to be an ass, honestly I'm not. Feel how you feel, but the Brougham End isn't changing its support behaviors. Just trying to make that clear. If you have issues with flags during the run of play, please take it up with a stadium official, your ticket rep, or the alliance council.

 

[Smurf]

Come on guys - the world is watching!

Well, it's the MLS, so more like Sounders fans and maybe a coupled dude's in NY who fell asleep in their Lay-Z-Boy with the TV on.

Again....MLS has multiple international TV rights....we play during times when must of the world doesn't have other soccer to watch. Especially the national TV broadcasts. The world is watching. Maybe not in numbers like they watch the UEFA Champions League...but they are watching.

Again, no they're not. Fox Sport One's and ESPN2's weekend MLS broadcasts average about 200,000 viewers, that's less than a one share. That's in the US, so it's even lower overseas.

Univision TV ratings are sometimes higher, up to 300k viewers if the game of the week is LA.

Either way, to say that the "world is watching" is about the funniest thing I read all day yesterday. I love my Sounders, but ain't no one watching fans sing on a weekend MLS telecast.

Well, then the threads I've read must be 100% discredited. I read quite a bit from people in the UK and Brazil watching MLS and discussing how it differs from major leagues around the world.


The world is watching, whether you care to admit it or not.

 

[Seabhac]

Yep - he's right. I know in Ireland people casually tune tune in to see what's going on (mainly because of former EPL Stars)

Oba's wonder goal three weeks ago was all over the media in Europe.
This week it's NYCs song cards. In a couple of weeks it will be Fat Frank and Stevie Me joining their new teams.

Interest (if not fandom) is growing in Europe. Footy is here to stay and it's only a matter of time before it gets huge..
In Seattle it's already a bigger draw than Baseball. It can't ever compete with NFL, but the NFL season is so compact it leaves 30+ weeks a year for the sport to grow and grow.

 

[Seabhac]

Smurfs description of the ECS sounds like a high school pep rally, complete with the "get used to it" attitude.

None of it sounds organic. Sounds planned, maybe forced.

Anyways. Watched the NYC match and was very impressed with the Sounders play. Technical ability on a very narrow field was exceptional.

After 6 years of the same complaints, it gets old. The club has even gone the extra mile letting people in that end of the stadium know about the area in which they are sitting.

Song cards are used to encourage new people to join in.


Capo's help keep the chants audible and in time.


Its one way of doing it. I'm sure there are others, but thats how we do it.



We were great on Sunday. Dempsey and Oba were awesome.

So... its an organized pep rally, and you tell people to deal with it? Ultra-hip.

Flags shouldn't be waiving during matches. Pre-match, during the walkout, after a goal, after a game. But not during action. Sing, chant, cheer... put down your flags and watch the game.

But whatever. Its not my thing.

Oba looks spry thus far. Surprised me how far ahead he is of the players around him.

Sure. Its whatever you say it is.

I'm just letting you know how it functions, and that it wont change....

If you have issues with how its done, then take them up elsewhere. I can't change it, nor would I if I could. Pestering me about it won't change anything. All I've done is explain the why's behind everything and relay the expectations that have been set before us by the ECS and more importantly, the Club.

Not trying to be an ass, honestly I'm not. Feel how you feel, but the Brougham End isn't changing its support behaviors. Just trying to make that clear. If you have issues with flags during the run of play, please take it up with a stadium official, your ticket rep, or the alliance council.

Smurf - I am assuming you are part of the ECS "Management" - Just so you know almost all the people around me are driven crazy by the huge flags - smaller ones are great but the big one obscures the whole goal. You know the one I'm talking about.

I'm counting on you to get it sorted for me!!!!

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Well, then the threads I've read must be 100% discredited. I read quite a bit from people in the UK and Brazil watching MLS and discussing how it differs from major leagues around the world.

The world is watching, whether you care to admit it or not.

I guess we're arguing semantics, you think "the world" means a couple dozen soccer fans you see on soccer websites discussing MLS, and I think "the world" means hundreds of thousands to millions.

But this is not the first time ECS members took themselves far too seriously. Here's something I can guarantee you, no one, and I mean NO ONE outside of ECS members gave a rat's ass about song sheets being handed out for singing at an away game on a deep cable sports station where only 200k viewers watched, none of which except for ECS members watching at home cared.

As a Sounders fan, I love the ECS and what it has done for the Puget Sound soccer community, but holy moly do you guys take yourselves too seriously sometimes. It's a sport, it's suppose to be fun.

 

[Smurf]

Smurf - I am assuming you are part of the ECS "Management" - Just so you know almost all the people around me are driven crazy by the huge flags - smaller ones are great but the big one obscures the whole goal. You know the one I'm talking about.

I'm counting on you to get it sorted for me!!!!

Lol, not a member of ECS's leadership. Not a Capo. Don't even go to away viewings. I'm just a supporter. I have my seats in the GA, and I go and support my club with my friends.

I'm sorry you dislike the large flags during the run of play.

 

[Smurf]

Well, then the threads I've read must be 100% discredited. I read quite a bit from people in the UK and Brazil watching MLS and discussing how it differs from major leagues around the world.

The world is watching, whether you care to admit it or not.

I guess we're arguing semantics, you think "the world" means a couple dozen soccer fans you see on soccer websites discussing MLS, and I think "the world" means hundreds of thousands to millions.

But this is not the first time ECS members took themselves far too seriously. Here's something I can guarantee you, no one, and I mean NO ONE outside of ECS members gave a rat's ass about song sheets being handed out for singing at an away game on a deep cable sports station where only 200k viewers watched, none of which except for ECS members watching at home cared.

As a Sounders fan, I love the ECS and what it has done for the Puget Sound soccer community, but holy moly do you guys take yourselves too seriously sometimes. It's a sport, it's suppose to be fun.

I think Seabhacs earlier reply disputes this, and I agree. "The World" is beginning to notice MLS and some are even taking an interest in the league.


Too seriously? Maybe. I guess. The way I see it is: "Yes, we, the ECS, understand your dislike of large flags. But we are encouraged by the Sounders organization to use them (there are even limited visibility signs outside every section in the area). So we will continue to do so...including during the run of play. There are thousands of other seats where your vision will not be limited.


If that's too serious, then sure. we are. We just want to support our club the way we support our club.

Personally, I'm there to support. I'm there to wave a flag, jump like a crazy person, clap, sing and have a good time. Is it organic? Occasionally. Lots of songs are started elsewhere and then picked up by a capo...but sure, lots of it isn't. Doesn't bother me. As for the song cards...well they are for the newbies. People sitting in the GA for the first time and want to be join in, but don't know how. Song cards help with that. If you wan't to join us, go for it. Lets have some fun. I'll help ya learn the songs, and even buy you a beer. Done it for others.

I'm there to support my club and have fun. That's it. I just figured I would come in here and try and save some peoples breathes about the whole flag thing. It's been 6 years and the complaints still come in. I imagine they will for the next 6, 10, 20 years too. I'm not trying to convince anyone that the ECS is the best in the world, or that our way of supporting is the right way or any of that. The group as a whole does some things that piss me off too...believe it or not...

 

[Seabhac]

Well, then the threads I've read must be 100% discredited. I read quite a bit from people in the UK and Brazil watching MLS and discussing how it differs from major leagues around the world.

The world is watching, whether you care to admit it or not.

I guess we're arguing semantics, you think "the world" means a couple dozen soccer fans you see on soccer websites discussing MLS, and I think "the world" means hundreds of thousands to millions.

But this is not the first time ECS members took themselves far too seriously. Here's something I can guarantee you, no one, and I mean NO ONE outside of ECS members gave a rat's ass about song sheets being handed out for singing at an away game on a deep cable sports station where only 200k viewers watched, none of which except for ECS members watching at home cared.

As a Sounders fan, I love the ECS and what it has done for the Puget Sound soccer community, but holy moly do you guys take yourselves too seriously sometimes. It's a sport, it's suppose to be fun.

I think Seabhacs earlier reply disputes this, and I agree. "The World" is beginning to notice MLS and some are even taking an interest in the league.


Too seriously? Maybe. I guess. The way I see it is: "Yes, we, the ECS, understand your dislike of large flags. But we are encouraged by the Sounders organization to use them (there are even limited visibility signs outside every section in the area). So we will continue to do so...including during the run of play. There are thousands of other seats where your vision will not be limited.



If that's too serious, then sure. we are. We just want to support our club the way we support our club.

Personally, I'm there to support. I'm there to wave a flag, jump like a crazy person, clap, sing and have a good time. Is it organic? Occasionally. Lots of songs are started elsewhere and then picked up by a capo...but sure, lots of it isn't. Doesn't bother me. As for the song cards...well they are for the newbies. People sitting in the GA for the first time and want to be join in, but don't know how. Song cards help with that. If you wan't to join us, go for it. Lets have some fun. I'll help ya learn the songs, and even buy you a beer. Done it for others.

I'm there to support my club and have fun. That's it. I just figured I would come in here and try and save some peoples breathes about the whole flag thing. It's been 6 years and the complaints still come in. I imagine they will for the next 6, 10, 20 years too. I'm not trying to convince anyone that the ECS is the best in the world, or that our way of supporting is the right way or any of that. The group as a whole does some things that piss me off too...believe it or not...

Smurf - I know the songs already but thanks for the offer. I may take you up on the beer.
Waving the big flag during the run of play is wrong - it's anti-fan - No two ways about it. Its an "only in the MLS" thing - I know that the ECS wants a big show and wants to "front the Club " for all to see. But any club in Europe that uses these big flags- ONLY uses them during the breaks or when their team scores. Certainly not when there is something exciting on the pitch. If they waved that big flag on Kop or Stretford end (or Frenabache Olympiakos or Galatasaray for that matter) - there would be blood.

I love flags and banners. But to wave the two huge flags when Dempsey or Oba are closing in on Goal making it so four or five hundred people can't see the action is just plain selfish.

Song cards are a comparatively minor issue.

ALL that being said.....I love the ECS and the game day atmosphere. It's something I thought I never would experience

 

[hawkfan68]

All of a sudden this Sounder thread devolved into crap.....All folks should be given the ability to have a good time at games in a manner that doesn't impact negatively to others. With that said, what Seabhac is asking is not unreasonable. He has a vaild point. I pay to watch a game not some guys/gals waving flags and singing songs. If I wanted to hear music I would have gone to a concert.