As expected, the crowd at CenturyLink Field for the United States' 2-1 victory over Ecuador in the Copa America quarterfinals impressed spectators and players alike. The sheer size of the crowd of 47,322 was impressive on its own, but it created an excellent atmosphere that buoyed the team when they needed it most.
Crowd of 47,322 ranks 5th-highest non-Sounders crowd in Seattle history & best for USMNT by >3,000. Well done, Seattle. #worldclasssupport
— Frank MacDonald (@frankmSounders) June 17, 2016
A number of USMNT players had positive things to say about the crowd afterwards:
Gyasi Zardes:
Zardes: "The crowd is like the backbone of the team ... The #AmericanOutlaws here today, you can feel the atmosphere rocking."
— Don Ruiz (@donruiztnt) June 17, 2016
Gyasi Zardes said "it was nice to be in Seattle and have the fans cheering for me. I'm used to being yelled at here!" #USMNT
— Mark Kastner (@mkstnr) June 17, 2016
Former Sounder DeAndre Yedlin:
Man what a game! So proud of this team! Semifinals and Houston here we come! Seattle thank you for creating an amazing atmosphere!
— DeAndre Yedlin (@yedlinny) June 17, 2016
Bobby Wood:
Bobby Wood said that the crowd tonight was the best crowd he's ever played in front of. #USMNT
— Mark Kastner (@mkstnr) June 17, 2016
Michael Bradley:
"The crowd was amazing. When you get to the second halves in games like this, it’s about finding any way to walk off the field a winner...the crowd and atmosphere can pull you through, and it did tonight."
Jozy Altidore:
That was beautiful. Fans in Seattle gave the boys an extra lift. What a night. Well done boys!!!! #USMNT
— Jozy Altidore (@JozyAltidore) June 17, 2016
The USMNT is now 6-0-0 all-time in competitive matches in the city of Seattle.
Seattle, you're amazing.
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) June 17, 2016
Thanks to all 47,322 of you here with us tonight for #CopaAmerica! pic.twitter.com/zZZDkBrEoq