Sounders FC vs. FC Barcelona: Not so friendly for the Sounders
August 6, 2009 3:04pmLast night’s Sounders match was unlike anything Seattle soccer fans have seen. More than 66,000 people packed the stadium (the largest crowd ever in Sounders FC history) as our hometown team took on the defending European club and Spanish league champion, FC Barcelona.
Though Anna, Suz and I have spent many Sounders games stationed with WALLY1 (the PEMCO van) outside the north entrance of Qwest Field, never before have we seen a more passionate crowd – most decked out in blue and green jerseys (along with some Barcelona pinkish-orange dotting the crowd).
Sounders and Barcelona fans alike lined up to show support for their favorite team as we snapped their "'I Know I Am, I'm Sure I Am' Sounders FC Fan" photos. This was by far the busiest Sounders game yet at the PEMCO booth, and the line for pictures stretched all the way into the street for four straight hours.
As native Seattleites, all three of us have always firmly believed that Sounders fans are the most loyal, enthusiastic, and passionate fans in the world. That, of course, was before we met the Barcelona, or ‘Barca,’ fans. Barca’s motto is “El Barca es mes que un club” or “Barca is more than a club” – and how true this is.
To the fans we met, soccer is not just a game, but a way of life. Many had followed their team all the way from Spain, and when they all joined together to sing the Himno, or ‘the stirring,’ as the match began, we couldn’t help but wish we could join in, if only for a moment.
Though the Sounders brought their best spirit, in the end it wasn’t enough to beat Barcelona on the field. Barcelona jumped out to an early lead, and was up by 2 at the end of the first half. Heading into the second half Barcelona continued to dominate and eventually put two more into the net, shutting out the Sounders with a final score of 4-0.
The Sounders are currently second place in the Western Conference standings, trailing first place team Houston Dynamo by only six points.
Despite the loss, Sounder spirit is still strong in the Emerald City, so be sure to catch us at the next home match Aug. 20 when the Sounders take on the New England Revolution. Go Sounders!
Though Anna, Suz and I have spent many Sounders games stationed with WALLY1 (the PEMCO van) outside the north entrance of Qwest Field, never before have we seen a more passionate crowd – most decked out in blue and green jerseys (along with some Barcelona pinkish-orange dotting the crowd).
Sounders and Barcelona fans alike lined up to show support for their favorite team as we snapped their "'I Know I Am, I'm Sure I Am' Sounders FC Fan" photos. This was by far the busiest Sounders game yet at the PEMCO booth, and the line for pictures stretched all the way into the street for four straight hours.
As native Seattleites, all three of us have always firmly believed that Sounders fans are the most loyal, enthusiastic, and passionate fans in the world. That, of course, was before we met the Barcelona, or ‘Barca,’ fans. Barca’s motto is “El Barca es mes que un club” or “Barca is more than a club” – and how true this is.
To the fans we met, soccer is not just a game, but a way of life. Many had followed their team all the way from Spain, and when they all joined together to sing the Himno, or ‘the stirring,’ as the match began, we couldn’t help but wish we could join in, if only for a moment.
Though the Sounders brought their best spirit, in the end it wasn’t enough to beat Barcelona on the field. Barcelona jumped out to an early lead, and was up by 2 at the end of the first half. Heading into the second half Barcelona continued to dominate and eventually put two more into the net, shutting out the Sounders with a final score of 4-0.
The Sounders are currently second place in the Western Conference standings, trailing first place team Houston Dynamo by only six points.
Despite the loss, Sounder spirit is still strong in the Emerald City, so be sure to catch us at the next home match Aug. 20 when the Sounders take on the New England Revolution. Go Sounders!
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