Preview: Community Shield, Sounders vs. Timbers

by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 10, 2010 11:22 PM PST in Sounders: Friendlies

Today's Inaugural Community Shield match ensures that the Seattle-Portland rivalry will continue its 35-year run in which the two teams played every season they both fielded teams. The rivalry has stretched across three leagues.

Although it's being billed as a friendly, the 13,000-plus fans who will be in attendance may not feel the same way. The two teams have met 60 times, with the Sounders holding a 34-21-5 advantage, including wins in each of the past two meetings.

There are reportedly four busloads of Timbers fans making the trip to Seattle. The game will kick off at 6 p.m. with plenty of tickets still available. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Washington State, Seattle SCORES, Soccer Saves and Washington Youth Soccer.

While the match may not have any significance in terms of the standings, it also marks the penultimate preseason game for the Sounders.

There are stil 21 Senior players listed on the Sounders' roster and, if as expected, the roster limit is 20 that means at least one player won't be making the active roster (and that doesn't include Blaise Nkufo, who will join the team after the World Cup). This listing also does not include David Estrada and the battle for the four Developmental Slots

If the players' rhetoric is to be believed, this may also be the last time Sounders fans have a chance to see their team at home, at least for the foreseeable future.

According to Toronto FC defender Nick Garcia, the federal mediator has failed to bring the sides any closer together on a new CBA. Garcia also said the players will not play under the terms of the old CBA.

"We're anticipating not having the season starting [on time]. As of now, for us, we're very far apart — even with the mediator there in D.C. We're hoping things can get done, but quite frankly I don't think we're confident things will."

Will this be a showcase of the League's future when tens of thousands of fans show up for a preseason friendly between long and bitter rivals, or will it be the last time we see Sounders in their home Rave Green for the forseeable future?

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Comments

I wont fall into the trap of blaming management or labor exclusively for this train wreck.

There is enough blame to go around. It just boggles the mind that a strike is possible and seemingly more likely every day. I really hope, for the health of MLS, and my personal interest as a fan that they magically work something out.

by Menthu Ra on Mar 11, 2010 7:43 AM PST reply actions

Well said

There’s still a part of me that refuses to believe that this is going to end in a strike, but those remarks certainly seem to raise the rhetoric. I’m still waiting to see what happens when it finally comes to a vote. I have to admit, I’m less optimistic.

by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 11, 2010 7:53 AM PST up reply actions

Me too

I am still trying to believe this will be resolved. A strike would be a disaster for the players and the league. I have my season tickets all ready to go again this season, I’m waiting to watch my team.

However I will pass blame…I think the players for the most part are being too demanding and want too much this early on. I really hope the mediator is able to do something, and the union/MLS can work their way towards what the rest of the leagues can offer. Baby steps.

by chrisperry1983 on Mar 11, 2010 7:59 AM PST up reply actions

I also find it ridiculous that the league is (more likely than not) forcing teams trade the out of contract veteran players. and having other teams sign them just to benefit their position. Just recently Adrian Serioux and Kevin Hartman just got traded? why now? and for 2nd and 3rd round draft picks for two years from now and next year respectively? really? Something seems fishy with those trades….

I’ll say the players do need to be willing to accept a bit less than their asking for. At the same time the MLS is reluctant to compromise at all really. You can’t really say what they’ve given is really compromising because they were most likely willing to give that stuff anyways. I can agree that there really is no side to blame exclusively. Both sides are being extremely unreasonable and are very much to blame for anything negative that happens.

by majora999 on Mar 11, 2010 8:10 AM PST up reply actions

Rivalry

You got the feeling that last years US Open Cup was the start of the third phase of one of Seattle’s best rivalries…I think Vancouver is bigger historically, which is great because we are definitely Portland’s biggest rivals ;-)

It is a shame it is raining today for the charities the Sounders are trying to sponser. Ticketbastard should be ashamed of itself. Charging rediculous fees, almost forcing people to walk up to a game where it might rain and taking money out of the non-profit’s hands.

On the bright side…8 hours till I am drinking beer at a tailgate !!!

by Charles J on Mar 11, 2010 8:19 AM PST reply actions

Well, the box office has been open

I bought tickets sans fees at Qwest the other day. Certainly seems ridiculous to pay the fees for it.

by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 11, 2010 8:44 AM PST up reply actions

I'm certain this is a match where walk-ups are available

no need to buy from scalpers, professional or otherwise

I am not a Supporter
I am not a Fan
I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Mar 11, 2010 8:49 AM PST up reply actions

Has anybody heard the total number sold so far?

by chrisperry1983 on Mar 11, 2010 9:15 AM PST up reply actions

Last report

13,000+

I am not a Supporter
I am not a Fan
I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Mar 11, 2010 9:30 AM PST up reply actions

And I belive those figures were as of the 9th.

I fucking hate you Mariners

by kentroyals5 on Mar 11, 2010 9:46 AM PST up reply actions

No

But my 25,000 is not looking good with 13,000 sold and rain forcasted.
Enjoy wearing my TShirt whoever wins.

6 1/2 hours to the first tailgate of the season, but might be the last in a while…

NYPost reporting the players will strike on the 25th if it stays like it is currently.

by Charles J on Mar 11, 2010 9:31 AM PST reply actions

While I absolutely love this team and would really be upset if they strike, I'd probably get over the fact they aren't playing pretty quickly.

Money back in my pocket and likely a contender across the street at Safeco to spend my money on.

I’m not sure what would happen to the fanbase here if there was a strike.

I fucking hate you Mariners

by kentroyals5 on Mar 11, 2010 9:51 AM PST up reply actions

Ugh

I’ll go to Safeco because it’s a beautiful field and the atmosphere is fun, but I hate Baseball. Hate it.

by chrisperry1983 on Mar 11, 2010 9:58 AM PST up reply actions

Comments from Nick Garcia

Aren’t they a little too forthcoming of his opinion? It seems like most everyone has been tight-lipped about inferring a strike is possible. And he comes out and basically spells it out. Sounds a little like posturing to me, and I hope it is.

I fucking hate you Mariners

by kentroyals5 on Mar 11, 2010 10:16 AM PST reply actions

Agreed

It also seems a little strange that he appears to be a lone on-the-record voice. Again, it’s not encouraging, but I’ll wait until the results of the strike vote have been announced before I start freaking out.

by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 11, 2010 10:24 AM PST up reply actions

chatter out of Toronto

The last time we were hearing stuff out of Toronto there were these reliable leaks being reported in blogs that MLS were offering concessions and they were close to a deal.

I’m hoping these latest comments prove to be as accurate…

Like you guys said, the union seems to like trying top put pressure on MLS one way or the other by using the media.

by PeterJH on Mar 11, 2010 11:26 AM PST up reply actions

Soccer Insider: Players vote to strike

Steven Goff, who seems as well connected as anyone, says players have voted overwhelmingly to support a strike if a CBA is not finalized before the start of the season.

“We will not start the season without a new agreement,” said a veteran player, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations. “To be quite blunt, it doesn’t look good at all.”

This certainly flies in the face of my prediction. I still don’t think it’s a good call, waiting until next season made a lot more sense to me, but obviously I’m not the one calling the shots.

Here’s hoping something gets worked out.

by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 11, 2010 12:02 PM PST reply actions

What this means

The players have essentially gone all-in: Whether or not an official strike vote has taken place, the players are essentially forcing the owners’ hand. Either they have the votes and will strike. Or they don’t and will never strike, meaning the owners can freely walk away from negotiations and impose work conditions. Definitely hoping we never find out.

by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 11, 2010 12:12 PM PST up reply actions

Well ...

… poop.

by The King of Norway on Mar 11, 2010 12:19 PM PST up reply actions

That quote sounds exactly like Garcia's that was in the original post here..so much for anonymity.

I fucking hate you Mariners

by kentroyals5 on Mar 11, 2010 1:03 PM PST up reply actions

Can I cry in my tequila now?

For months the players claimed they wouldn’t strike. They wanted to be above the fray. They wanted to have the public on their side.

Now this.

10% unemployment in the nation you idiots. Union backed companies failing left and right. Your games are our escape from reality. You think I have a choice as to where I work as a coffee taster? WRONG.
To give up actual matches for something as superferlous as “free agency” or “guarunteed contracts” is idiocy.

As fans our sympathy is not with the owners or the players. It is with the sport. Present us with arguments as to what is better for the sport and you will get backing. Currently both sides have spent all the good will, and pissed it into a down economy and thought we would agree.

We don’t.

When talking about % of revenue and its influence on the cap. I agree. In principle I agree with Free Agency. When you talk, though rarely, about the minimum salaries we ALL agree.

I am not a Supporter
I am not a Fan
I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Mar 11, 2010 1:12 PM PST reply actions