Looking back on Wednesday's historic victory
by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 2, 2010 4:54 PM PDT
in Sounders: US Open Cup
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PrintStanding in the east end of Starfire, in the area that was apparently deemed the beer garden, I finally felt like I had my first "I was there when" moment.
I've attended probably eight games this season, checking out matches from vantage points all over the stadium -- from the southeast corner flag to the Brougham End to the press box. I have seen the Sounders play international opponents, lose to a last-place team and beat the team led by their former Designated Player. But I feel like Wednesday's victory over Chivas USA could be the first one I've attended that will go down in history.
While the win over the Fire was certainly awesome, at the end of the day it was just another MLS victory. The win in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup has the potential to really mean something.
In the short term, it gives the Sounders a chance to become the first MLS team to ever repeat as champions of the country's longest-running soccer tournament.
From a historical perspective, I think this game will live on for reasons that go beyond that.
For one, this could very well be the last truly significant match to ever be played at tiny Starfire Stadium. Less than 5,000 people were in attendance, but the Sounders probably could have sold at least three times that if the game was at Qwest and properly marketed. Supposedly, the presale for the final is going very well. Combined with what appears to be more of an open mind to the #trophiesnotfriendlies movement, I imagine that we'll see matches like these moved to the big stadium in the future.
For another, this game represented a major moment for fans of the old USL team. Not only did Taylor Graham start and play a magnificent match at centerback, but former USL Sounders teammate Roger Levesque registered an assist on the final goal. Zach Scott, another USL holdover, was on the 18-man roster.
"It's great," Sounders GM Adrian Hanauer said of seeing players he originally signed for the USL team contribute in such a significant way to this team. "I'm mostly happy for them. They toiled at Qwest and Stafire in front of (much smaller crowds), three games in four nights, crappy hotels, no team meals, like the whole minor-league deal. Now for them to be a part of this big organization and hopefully to be treated the way they want to be treated, I'm just happy for them."
The experience was hardly lost on those players.
"The U.S. Open Cup has always been something that we've approached with a lot of desire," said Graham, who has now played in four straight Open Cup semifinals. "Even in the USL days, I remember playing Chivas on that pitch in the quarterfinals of 2008, beat them 2-0 here. A lot of those same guys were on this field, Justin Braun was there too.
"It's a little deja vu, but it's amazing to drive in 2.5 hours before the game and seeing people lined up. That's what is different. Seeing kids waiting outside is pretty special.
"It's a little night and day, to be hoenst. The fans before were great, but they were limited in numbers. Now we have just under 5,000 tonight. Whatever it was, it felt like we had the whole city behind us in a way. Especially knowing we were playing for a chance to host. That was something Sigi touched on before the game, remember how special it was to hoist the champinoship last year. Imagine how special it will be to have that opportunity to do it at your home in front of your own fans. I've been lucky ot be on teams to play in finals and you never get sick of it."
If this was, in fact, the last important match to be played at Starfire, I'll happily point out that I was one of the few who was there. I'm even happier that the Sounders did it in a style and with personnel that pays proper homage to their history.
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I hope your wrong about Starfire
There is something really wonderful about that undersized, defeatured, small pitch and the games we play there. I like Qwest, but I think the best memories of the Sounders have come from the U.S. Open matches at Starfire.
Plus I think the matches help drive revenue for the Starfire complex, which I consider a big plus for local soccer.
I hope we keep the U.S. Open matches at Starfire and play everything else at Qwest.
I miss running water
If the Open Cup is a major trophy it deserves to be treated as such.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
My guess is
early rounds very well might still be played at Starfire, but beyond the early rounds, I’d bet it’ll be shifted to Qwest.
I totally understand that perspective
That’s how I felt the first time I walked into the grandstands.
But the games and the atmospher have won me over. I guess it’s kind of the difference between seeing a rock band in a stadium vs seeing them in a small club. The intimate setting creates a relationship between the fans and the teams that is very different then the atmospher at Qwest. I wouldn’t want every game there, but a couple games a year seems ok.
We are THE example of North American Soccer
I wish I had been at Starfire, it looked like a great atmosphere and a truly memorable night for everyone who was there. That being said, Seattle is the vanguard of North American soccer. If we can get 35,000 people to attend a game in a competition most people have never heard of, we will quickly get national coverage and help advance the game. I agree with any sentimental feelings about Starfire, but any chance we get to make soccer a huge event is in everyone’s best interest. Even local highlights of the match made it look like a fringe event- 5000 people, even if they are chanting, screaming fans, is still a barely noticeable evening. I say keep the momentum and keep building tradition at Qwest!
by Jeff Hackmeister on Sep 2, 2010 9:58 PM PDT reply actions
Not sure if I'd call this a historic game
When we win the final, that will be historic. I will certainly remember the game as I did the semifinal last year against Houston, but I don’t know if this’ll go down in history as anything other than an exciting game. Or maybe I’m just missing the post you’re making.
It was certainly exciting to see the USL people playing. Graham hasn’t lost his touch at all, I love watching that guy play.
As far as #trophiesnotfriendlies, do you really think they’re actually giving it a thought? I think Hanauer was being diplomatic in his responses to it. I bet we’ll be seeing lots more friendlies to come. They are big moneymakers, and in the end the team is a business needing to make money.
I'll place bets that there are more non-league trophy games on the ST package
than friendlies next year, but I say that because it is what Joe Roth told me. It isn’t really a debate.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Well
I guess coming from the majority owner’s mouth is pretty legit. I’m glad to hear that.
by chrisperry1983 on Sep 3, 2010 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions
Some clarifications
I use the term “historic” kind of loosely in the headline, but in the text I thought I made it clear that the historic value of this match is more on potential. It wasn’t necessarily a great game — at least in the way the Houston game was last year — but if the Sounders win on Oct. 5, this will be a historically significant game from the perspective that it allowed them to become the first MLS team to repeat as usoc champs. It would be made even more historic if my assumption is right about Starfire’s future use and would have the cherry on top if guys like Graham, Scott and Levesque don’t get another chance to play for a usoc title as Sounders.
With all that said, I should also make it clear that my view on Starfire is that it probably won’t host matches this late in the tournament again, but will almost certainly continue to host earlier round matches. I think it’s a perfect venue for those matches, btw, but just isn’t big enough — in many senses — to host matches as important as Wednesday’s.
As for #trophiesnotfriendlies, it’s my sense that the FO is moving toward less friendlies and is more open to further embracing competitive matches. Maybe I overstate that they’re embracing the concept, but to the degree that they see the demand for these competitive matches, I think is pretty safe.
Read me at Sounder at Heart and Dreaming of Wigan
That makes more sense
I get what you’re saying.
On a side note, I feel the same way as blakec above. I love the Starfire games, although I know it doesn’t make sense to hold games there with the kind of turnout they’d potentially have. But I love standing down behind the goal 6 feet away from the lines and being literally right on top of the game.
by chrisperry1983 on Sep 3, 2010 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions
They need a venue in between what Starfire is and what Qwest is.
They need a 15-20K Starfire. Like say, Memorial.
I thought there were plans...
To redo the seating on the opposite side of the current grandstand at Starfire. Replacing the field turf was the first part of the renovation, and I could have sworn that expanding the seating was going to be a second part. I cannot remember where I read it at, so it might have been wishful thinking. If they were to expand seating, it would be only to like 5k seats plus standing room….
by MMAWrestling on Sep 3, 2010 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Maybe a 3rd, 'soccer specific' stadium in Seattle? :)
I’d vote for it!
by chrisperry1983 on Sep 3, 2010 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions
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