6000+ fans to home opener?!?! [R]

[Sempuukyaku]

6000+ fans to your freakin home opener??? DAMN! Is it because of the success you guys had last year?


That's absolutely incredible numbers! Too bad you guys couldn't pull out the win though....but still impressive nonetheless.

[BBBulldog]

Few of the A leaguers have a nice atendance (compared to bottom of MLS) http://www.kenn.com/sports/soccer/usl/usl1.html

[sounderfan]

http://soundercentral.com/seattle_sounders_sounder_central001017.jpg
6,351 fans pack the East lower stand at Qwest Field for the Sounders 2005 home opener.

Club report:


SOUNDERS LOSE HOME OPENER TO RIVAL TIMBERS 2-1
Posted 4/30/2005
SEATTLE – Byron Alvarez had a goal and an assist as the Portland Timbers counterattacked their way to victory over the Seattle Sounders Saturday night at Qwest Field in the Sounders’ home opener. A crowd of 6,351 fans witnessed a fierce battle between the two northwest rivals as they laid down the gauntlet for the 2005 season in a fast-paced, intense match that featured six cautions and an ejection between the two sides.

Portland asked several questions of the Seattle defense inside the game’s first 30 minutes but never tested Seattle goalkeeper Robbie Fulton, who played this match on loan from Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes. While Fulton had a relatively uneventful first half, his counterpart, Josh Saunders, was much busier as Seattle peppered him with eight shots. Saunders was equal to the task, however, as he denied the Sounders with several timely saves.

The first significant scoring threat came from the Sounders in the fifth minute. Defender Ryan Edwards sped down the left side and hit a driving cross to an unmarked Welton Melo ten yards from the front of the goal. Welton took a touch before smacking a half volley on frame, but it was straight at Saunders, who did well to parry the shot away before his defense cleared it to safety.

Saunders had to be sharp again in the 31st when the ball fell to Sounders team captain Scott Jenkins as following a break on goal. Jenkins cracked a one-time shot from a hard angle just six yards out, but Saunders got over well to cover the post and knock the shot away. Six minutes later, Sounders defender Billy Sleeth took on Portland defender Aaron Heinzen one-on-one inside the 18-yard box before ripping a low shot between Heinzen’s legs that Saunders scooped up despite being screened on the play.

Seattle got off one final quality scoring chance before the end of the half when midfielder C.J. Klaas sent a 40-yard free kick to defender Taylor Graham, who directed a thumping header at Saunders, but the ‘keeper was well positioned to make the save.

Seattle got a great start to the second half, as forward Roger Levesque and midfielder Brent Whitfield were both foiled during a goalmouth scramble, but were able to win a corner kick, which subsequently rebounded out to a waiting Klaas, who ran up and drilled a fierce shot on goal, but it deflected off a defender for another corner kick.

After being on their heels for most of the match, the Timbers broke the deadlock with just their second shot on goal off a well-worked counterattack in the 51st minute. Midfielder Aaran Lines dropped a nice ball behind the Seattle defense that sent forward Byron Alvarez charging on goal. With three Seattle defenders nipping at his heels, Alvarez hit a well-struck, left-footed shot in full stride past a diving Fulton and into the far corner of the goal.

Just three minutes later, Portland got put their third shot on goal past Fulton for a 2-0 lead – again off the counterattack. This time Alvarez was the provider as he sent midfielder Tom Poltl through on goal with a nicely weighted lob pass. Poltl quickly unleashed an unstoppable left-footed shot past Fulton into the top corner of the goal to double the Portland lead.

Suddenly down 2-0 and in dire need of a goal, a shell-shocked Seattle side took the game to Portland and put the Timbers defense under constant pressure for the remainder of the match.

In the 56th, Whitfield charged into the 18-yard box and drew in the Portland defense before laying the ball out for Klaas, whose one-time drive from the top of the box screamed just wide of the top corner.

Six minutes later, Whitfield broke into the box again but lost possession. The ball came out to Scott Jenkins at the left side of the penalty box. His quick cross found Welton alone at the far post, but Welton pushed his header agonizingly wide of the Portland goal.

Though the Sounders continued to press, they always had to be aware of the Timbers’ dangerous counterattack, which reared its head in the 65th minute when Alvarez and Lines linked up again. Lines got off a good cross under pressure to Alvarez, who had time to settle and shoot just ten yards from goal, but his left-footed effort was weak and Fulton saved easily.

Veteran forward Welton Melo finally got Seattle got on the scoreboard in the 73rd minute with the first Sounders goal of the new 2005 season. Klaas took the ball hard down the right side and crossed to the Brazilian, who was completely unmarked and had a wealth of time and space to charge in alone on goal and knock a perfectly placed shot past a helpless Saunders to cut the Portland lead in half. The large, opening night crowd roared its approval.

Three minutes later, the Sounders saw an excellent chance to equalize go by the wayside when Taylor Graham rose superbly to meet a Jenkins corner kick ten yards from goal, but he was unable to make solid contact as it glanced off his head and bounced just wide of the far post.

With time running out and the Sounders’ patience wearing thin, a frustrated Chad Brown was shown his second yellow card for a reckless challenge and was ejected in stoppage time. Despite dominating long periods of the match and creating numerous quality scoring chances, the Sounders were forced to settle for a loss to their archrivals in the first match of the 2005 campaign.

The Sounders' next game is at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 7 at Qwest Field against the Vancouver Whitecaps. For ticket information call (206) 622-3415 or visit www.seattlesounders.net.

GAME REPORT

Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers

Qwest Field

Seattle, Wash.

April 30, 2005

Weather: Sunny, warm, 60s.

Attendance: 6,351

SCORING SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders 0 1 1

Portland Timbers 0 2 2

POR – Byron Alvarez (Aaran Lines), 51st minute.

POR – Tom Poltl (Alvarez), 54.

SEA – Welton Melo (C.J. Klaas), 73.

LINEUPS

SEA: Robbie Fulton, Zach Scott, Ryan Edwards (Brett Wiesner – 86), Billy Sleeth, Taylor Graham, Kevin Sakuda (Chad Brown – 80), C.J. Klaas, Scott Jenkins, Brent Whitfield (Ben Somoza – 75), Roger Levesque, Welton Melo.

POR: Josh Saunders, Edwin Miranda, Gavin Wilkinson (Lee Morrison – 80), Scot Thompson, Aaron Heinzen, Brian Winters, Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar (Jarrod Weis – 86), Shaun Higgins (Scott Benedetti – 85), Tom Poltl, Byron Alvarez, Aaran Lines.

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Billy Sleeth (caution), 6th minute.

SEA – Ryan Edwards (caution), 20.

POR – Shaun Higgins (caution), 24.

SEA – Zach Scott (caution), 52.

SEA – Chad Brown (caution), 84.

POR – Byron Alvarez (caution), 89.

SEA – Brown (ejection), 90.


http://soundercentral.com/gallery/albums/2005-Fan-Pics-1/April30crowd_2.jpg

[SeattleFan]

If we could consistently draw 6000 or more, it might impress people who would invest in an MLS team. Although we lost last night, it was a very good game, so hopefully there will be some repeat business.

[Vascao]

Is Welton Melo the same guy that played for the Galaxy?

[sounderfan]

Is Welton Melo the same guy that played for the Galaxy?

Yes.
http://soundercentral.com/2005/Players/2005_seattle_sounders_010.htm

[Throwins]

I thought Welton was totally worthless in spite of the goal. He was continuously off side, didn't come back to the ball played no defense and all in all didn't earn his salary.

[Scoey]

I was one of the 6k plus at the home opener. I really hope the Sounders, or whoever is responsible for having enough ticket takers on hand, do a better job of anticipating staffing needs. The lines to get in were horrendous. The weather was very nice, and there didn't seem to be a whole lot else going on in town Saturday night, which I bet contributed to a much, much larger walk-up than the Sounders expected. I would not be surprised if a large number of people showed up 15 minutes before kick off expecting to waltz in (As you can usually do) saw the Disneyland-esque lines, and turned around. Still, I hope the large crowds continue. There were 1,500 in attendance for the pre-season exhibition against the U-20s, which I thought was an excellent turnout.

Props to the Timbers Army for showing up in force and cheering three times as loud as the Seattle supporters group section!

[nyrmetros]

Any pics from Timber's Army in action? How big was their firm?

[sounderfan]

I was one of the 6k plus at the home opener. I really hope the Sounders, or whoever is responsible for having enough ticket takers on hand, do a better job of anticipating staffing needs. The lines to get in were horrendous. The weather was very nice, and there didn't seem to be a whole lot else going on in town Saturday night, which I bet contributed to a much, much larger walk-up than the Sounders expected. I would not be surprised if a large number of people showed up 15 minutes before kick off expecting to waltz in (As you can usually do) saw the Disneyland-esque lines, and turned around. Still, I hope the large crowds continue. There were 1,500 in attendance for the pre-season exhibition against the U-20s, which I thought was an excellent turnout.

Props to the Timbers Army for showing up in force and cheering three times as loud as the Seattle supporters group section!

And were you with US in the Seattle supporters section, trying to be loud too?
http://soundercentral.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=2252

That's how groups get LOUD...people JOIN them! ;)

[sounderfan]

Any pics from Timber's Army in action? How big was their firm?

They have many websites, check there.

[Scoey]

And were you with US in the Seattle supporters section, trying to be loud too?
http://soundercentral.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=2252

That's how groups get LOUD...people JOIN them! ;)

No. I'm not particularly die hard, don't really like the Sounders team or organization all that much, have sat in your section before and found it unenjoyable, and honestly have more fun at Sounders games watching as a disinterested observer. I'm not your demographic.

Sounderfan -- you seem to know a lot about the Sounders, and I suspect you go to all (or most) of the home games. So -- do you know why the Sounders were able to pull such a large crowd for the opener? New promotional/marketing strategy/methods? Dumb luck?

[LMoroney]

Congrats to the sounders on a magnificent attendance!

That 6000+ is probably more than the metrostars got for their first three home games *combined*, despite the published numbers!!!

[GMan Eric]

No. I'm not particularly die hard, don't really like the Sounders team or organization all that much, have sat in your section before and found it unenjoyable, and honestly have more fun at Sounders games watching as a disinterested observer. I'm not your demographic.



Not meant as a flame, but if you found it unenjoyable, then maybe you should have spoke up to those around you and mentioned why and what could have made it enjoyable enough to come back.

Too easy to find people who complain, but do nothing to actively "fix" the situation (namely, getting involved)

[sounderfan]

Sounderfan -- you seem to know a lot about the Sounders, and I suspect you go to all (or most) of the home games. So -- do you know why the Sounders were able to pull such a large crowd for the opener? New promotional/marketing strategy/methods? Dumb luck?


Thousands of free tickets had been given out over the off-season at soccer camps and school assemblies. More people actually *used* them than the Sounders thought would.

[Sempuukyaku]

No. I'm not particularly die hard, don't really like the Sounders team or organization all that much, have sat in your section before and found it unenjoyable, and honestly have more fun at Sounders games watching as a disinterested observer. I'm not your demographic.


Would you be more excited with a Seattle MLS team?


Just curious.

[SeattleFan]

do you know why the Sounders were able to pull such a large crowd for the opener? New promotional/marketing strategy/methods? Dumb luck?
In addition to freebies given out, there were also promotional incentives given to season ticket purchasers.

[SeattleSupporter]

No. I'm not particularly die hard, don't really like the Sounders team or organization all that much, have sat in your section before and found it unenjoyable, and honestly have more fun at Sounders games watching as a disinterested observer. I'm not your demographic.


Typical Seattle "hand sitter". :rolleyes:

[VioletCrown]

Thousands of free tickets had been given out over the off-season at soccer camps and school assemblies. More people actually *used* them than the Sounders thought would.

Ugh. Well, that's no way for a team to survive. Here we go again, trying to survive on thousands of giveaways. Which means that no-one ever buys tickets because they can always get some for free...

Unless they only did the giveaway for the first game.

In which case, I retract my rant.

[GMan Eric]

Yes the giveaways were only particular to the opener.