Our niece Julie and her family were here from California for our big celebration and then to spend a week at the Whidbey Island cabin. Her son Bryan is a huge sports fan and loves to take in actual stadium experiences. Jill agreed to host Bryan and his sister Sara for a few extra days and give them the ultimate Sounder experience, a match against our arch rivals, the Portland Timbers.
We serendipitously ended up on the same train going into the city.
Irene attends matches with her mother quite regularly. Sara doesn't care about sports, but she is a good sport about it all. This was to be her first soccer game ever. I was quite impressed that Jill had all of them outfitted in Rave Green.
We looked on at the pre-match rally in Occidental Park.
We watched the build up to the March to the Match.
We stayed out of the smoke this time. In the past, Tom and I have been in the thick of it many times.
And then we blended into the March.
At the stadium, we joined up for one last group photo before splitting up to our various seating locations.
The crowd of 50,000 began to fill the stadium.
We sang the anthem.
The Emerald City Supporters deployed a giant tifo overhead.
"Ambition doesn't grow on trees" is of course a slam to the Timbers. Previous trophies and current and past players are depicted.
Somewhere over there, emerging from under the tifo, are Irene, Bryan, and Sara. Talk about your full experience!
At half time some seats were switched. Jill and Isaac had been sitting near us. Isaac bought himself a new jersey. He said his old Rave green one was now too tight. Zulily is now our new jersey sponsor. Looks good, Isaac, but I am still partial to green and blue.
Also at half time this appeared on some of the big screens.
How cool is that! Thanks go to cousin Scott!
The game was intense. Unfortunately for most of the 50,000, it was also frustrating, and at the final whistle the score was Portland 2, Seattle 1. We do hate losing in our house, and especially to the Timbers.
But the evening was still so beautiful, a perfect summer night, that it was great just to have shared the experience .
That stadium and 50,000 people, blows my mind. I can't even imagine being there. I like you all dressed in the green.
ReplyDeleteIt indeed sounds like it was a special occasion. Fun that everyone could wear the green and blue.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice evening, despite the loss. Awesome of Scott to have your milestone put out on the big screen!
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm impressed that your name is up in lights. It looks like everybody had a great time.
ReplyDeleteYou are all such dedicated fans, Great that you got a shout out for your anniversary.
ReplyDeleteHow cool was that! Your anniversary announced!
ReplyDeleteWow, you two are celebrities! I love your description of the sporting event, even though the Sounders lost it was a great day, it seems. :-)
ReplyDeleteWow, even on the big screen? How cool is that? I love how soccer fans really support their team. There is no comparison to any other sport. Sorry for the loss but looked like a great day anyhow.
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