Atmosphere in Seahawks Stadium

[gosya]

Whoever attended Man U - Celtic in Seattle, can you describe what the atmosphere was like? Was it lively? Was there any organized singing, or just cheering? Were there large Man U or Celtic supporter groups from overseas? Anything else? Baically, I'm trying to figure out if the game had any Premiership flavor to it, or if it looked just like a typical U.S. sporting event (which is fine in itself, but often lacks passion). Thanks.

[The Magpie]

Take a look:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/dayart/20030722/450soccer23_goal.jpg

[DutchFootballRulez]

did they have a big enoug pitch? or was it like Giants/Spartan stadium.

[gosya]

Thanks for the pic. Looks great visually. But what about audio-wise?

[Slam]

I was at the match. Everything was outstanding except for one detail.

Champions World did the right thing by NOT trying to force enthusiasm or mood music for the match - this set the right tone for the match. The crowd was awesome. CW knew that footy fans would create the atmosphere. Hopefully this becomes an example.

Downtown seattle was brought to a standstill by the number of people in town for this match. Every pub had a line out the door, people were overflowing the streets and traffic was not moving.

My estimate is that 15-20% of the crowd was from overseas (primarily UK). Another huge percentage were from out of town. People seemed to have driven from everywhere. I think this was mostly due to the draw of seeing a once in a lifetime event.

The atmosphere was like a World Cup Final done right. The city was electric. The stadium was juiced. Seattle is a perfect city for an event like this since the stadiums are right downtown.

During the match, I would say the fans were in an excited anticipation for most of the first half and really into the match after the quick goals.

It would have been nice to see the PK put away so the Celtic supporters had something to cheer about.

It would have also been better if they sold tickets in supportor sections. While there were pockets of supportors throughout the stadium, they were too dispersed to create the WC-like singing atmosphere. That was too bad and the one thing I thought would really improve the situation. This would have been great for the (very well represented) celtic fans since they were just great in the pre and post game pubs with their songs etc.

There must have been a glitch in the sales process for tickets since there were some very good sections of seats in both endzones that were completely empty. Otherwise the rest of the stadium was packed.

I've been to more than 20 WC matches and this was right up there in fun and atmostphere. CW understand how to put on a good soccer specific show. It was actually better atmosphere than the WC2002 Final match.

[rudeboy]

Originally posted by The Magpie
Take a look:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/dayart/20030722/450soccer23_goal.jpg

When's the last time you saw a beer bottle at a ManUtd game? Anyone?

[Achtung]

What is so great about sports in this country is the ability of fans of one side to sit right next to fans of another, without risk of serious violence. Sure there is the occasional shouting match, but for the most part fans here can keep themselves under control. I'm sure at least a few people from both teams got a little nervous to see that there wasn't a separation in seating, but once the game started, it wasn't even a problem.

[billyireland]

I hope it was a bit more lively than a match I was at in Raymond James (Pack@Bucs)... a fan behind me shouted "Come on, where's the defense?" in reference to GBs defense allowing Alstott to ram his way forward 5-6 yards at ago. Moments later Diggs made a pick and I shouted "THERE'S YOUR FU(KING DEFENSE" back over to him. I got the weirdest looks, maybe because of it was in my Dublin accent :D

[chuckinca]

Originally posted by Achtung
What is so great about sports in this country is the ability of fans of one side to sit right next to fans of another, without risk of serious violence. Sure there is the occasional shouting match, but for the most part fans here can keep themselves under control. I'm sure at least a few people from both teams got a little nervous to see that there wasn't a separation in seating, but once the game started, it wasn't even a problem.

Anyone who goes to a Raiders Game in other than Silver & Black is asking for an early exit from this life

[patrickm]

i;m watching the game now on msg and the setting is the same as any game at old trafford. that is, a packed stadium with quiet upper middle class fans. no singing, no atmosphere. prawn sandwices anyone?

[seahawkdad]

Originally posted by Achtung
What is so great about sports in this country is the ability of fans of one side to sit right next to fans of another, without risk of serious violence...
Hmmm. Maybe so far with soccer (although in 1996 some MetroStars fans almost got into it with United supporters at RFK), but I remember a quote a The Washington Post Magazine article about Philadelphia: "Anyone who is dumb enought to come to the Vet in another team's colors is dumb enough to be beat up."

I have never doubted the truth of that.

[patrickm]

yes, eagles fans are animals, the scum of the earth. go giants. i have been to 50 or so giants games and i have never seen any fans of other teams mistreated evn a little bit. in fact the only fights i have ever seen were between giants fans

[Achtung]

True, I guess there are certain situations, especially in the playoffs, where it might be a bad idea to wear opposing colors. But my point was that you don't have to worry a lot. Though I think I did see a feature on Outside the Lines about some kid who got beat up real bad at an NFL game. It happens, but much less often here.

Of course my friend often wears Red Wings apparel when he goes to see them play the Blackhawks in Chicago. That is just insane.

[Spartak]

Yeah, don't wear an opposing teams jersey at an Eagles game. Your asking for it if you do. I remember a couple of years ago a fan wearing a Giants jersey was beaten into a coma at the Vet. The funny thing is the Giants weren't even playing that game, the Redskins were. :confused:

[Achtung]

Originally posted by Spartak
Yeah, don't wear an opposing teams jersey at an Eagles game. Your asking for it if you do. I remember a couple of years ago a fan wearing a Giants jersey was beaten into a coma at the Vet. The funny thing is the Giants weren't even playing that game, the Redskins were. :confused:

I think that was the guy on OTL. Really a sad story. Thank goodness those incidents are few and far between here.

[nicephoras]

Originally posted by Spartak
Yeah, don't wear an opposing teams jersey at an Eagles game. Your asking for it if you do. I remember a couple of years ago a fan wearing a Giants jersey was beaten into a coma at the Vet. The funny thing is the Giants weren't even playing that game, the Redskins were. :confused:

Lets just put it this way - the Vet (until its, ahem, unfortunate demise) was the only stadium in the country with a courthouse inside. It was installed to make sure that there would be enough space to book, and hold all the morons that routinely broke the law.
Also, I have been to Raiders games, and you have to pick the right one to be killed at. My friend wore a Browns jersey, and it was no big deal, even if the Browns were the opposing team. (I just got strange looks, because I was wearing my Lazio jersey :)) However, I wouldn't wear any Chargers gear............