USA!

Last night we joined 41,000 of our soccer fan friends to support the US Men's National Team, as they continue their quest to qualify for the 2014 world cup in Brazil.

 We car pooled with Jill and a a friend, arriving in the city early enough to pre-func.  The youngers went off to a supporter beer garden.  Tom and I went to Starbucks for our lattes and brownies.

Then we joined up with the gathering throngs in Occidental Park for the pre-game action. 

 We were nearly front and center for the March to the Match.

 Both Jill and Jake were involved in turning the air blue. :)

 As we reached the stadium, we dropped out of the march and watched the long procession pass by.

 We had club level seats for this special match (read expensive), so ascending the ramp gave us some good views.

 Who said it might rain?  Looks like Seattle blue to me.

 And inside, a sea of red.  The opponent was Panama, and their few supporters blended in with their red, white and blue colors too.

 The President greeted us and congratulated US Soccer for 100 years of action.

Glass artist Dale Chihuly created a special trophy just for this match.

Scarves up, Seattle, ooops, I mean USA!

 The seats are filling up, the national anthem is sung, and up comes the tifo, produced by The American Outlaws, Seattle Chapter.  this is the official supporter club for US National Team soccer.  Locally they are many of the same people who are our own Emerald city supporters for Sounders Soccer.

 It was great fun!  Two Sounders players are on the team, both were starters, and one scored the second goal.
And it's always more fun when you win.  Final score USA 2, Panama 0.  The US Men are well on their way to qualifying.

USA!  USA! USA!