The support at CenturyLink field is unlike any other stadium in the U.S. The volume cannot be matched anywhere else in the country - both in decibels and sheer numbers.
When Sounders FC hosts the rival Portland Timbers on Sunday and the stadium is opened to its full capacity, that excitement level is lifted to new heights. More often than not, that means results for Seattle.
“I think our team likes playing in those atmospheres,” Seattle Head Coach Sigi Schmid said. “It’s something that sets Seattle apart from the rest of the country and it’s something that’s great for soccer in the United States.”
The results speak for themselves. Seattle is 9-0-3 in regular season matches when attendance surpasses 40,000, outscoring the opposition 25-9 in those matches. Add in a 2-1 win over the LA Galaxy in the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs with a crowd of 44,575 and Sounders FC’s success with large crowds is even more prominent.
Against Portland, Seattle has also seen an advantage when the crowd swells in numbers.
Sounders FC has won on both occasions that Seattle and Portland have played with full-stadium capacity, earning a resounding 3-0 win in 2012 and a clutch 1-0 win in 2013.
“The support that we have here - you can’t replicate it anywhere else in the States. It’s something that’s special,” Sounders FC forward Clint Dempsey said. “There are passionate fans with the different teams, but in terms of numbers and the support we get here, it’s amazing. It’s tough to beat.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm PT with national television coverage on ESPN2. Tickets are available by visiting SoundersFC.com or by calling 1-877-MLS-GOAL.
