My first Seattle matches were against the Timbers in the USL. The bastards always seemed to have our number, and were shitty about it, so by the time they went up to MLS and we didn't the hatred was already bred into me. It's never really changed; somehow beating Seattle is satisfying in ways that beating other opponents isn't.
On the Thorns side, tho...the first several years the Reign never really felt the same way. Western New York (and then as North Carolina) and FCKC were the real "rivals", and the teams I wanted the Thorns to beat. It wasn't until probably 2018 or so that the Thorns-Reign games felt like real rivalry games for me. Now? Ohhellyes.
So I really want to see both Seattle clubs go home sad this weekend. There's no drink so refreshing as a cup of bitter Seattle tears.
outside of the memories of matches, I remember in early mls days bringing my girlfriend to a fish game when we would all be lined up along 18th and their team bus was coming past and everyone is chanting and they later told me that they where looking around thinking this is maybe a bit aggressive and weird, when they saw an older lady with likely their grandkid and they where both flipping off the bus and after the bus passed everyone was laughing and excited for the game and not angry, and they kinda got the nature of the whole thing.
These derbies always bring out strong emotions and it's that boost I'm looking forward to.
I know supporters will turn out in their thousands, and I'd imagine / hope that the players on the field will feel this and be encouraged to put in real effort.
The Timbers haven't shown so much emotional drive lately, and I hope they'll turn it on for this derby since a loss would be fairly devastating, as low on the table as PTFC is.
The Thorns, however, are surely going to go all in for this one and will be a joy to behold on the pitch.
When we joined MLS, there was a kind of dread going to Jeld-Wen to face the Sounders, because the Timbers were nowhere as good and there always seemed to be a bunch of obnoxious Sounders fans sitting in the general seating ready to rub it in. Regardless, the Timbers gave it their all, and I could appreciate that, and when they did win, it felt so sweet.
I'm really enjoying the fact that we haven't lost in six. Like Phil says, that doesn't really matter, though. What does, is being ready to give it their all, unlike the last match. I say they will, and I will be interested to see who Phil believes will give it their all.
These days, the MLS is plenty going on that makes individual games hard to value--an ever-expanding set of teams with most all of them making playoffs in the end anyway. The derby match is the exception, one that I actually want to circle on the calendar. Nearing 50 years of animosity, this derby provides two cities that are famously "nice" the unique opportunity to work out their buried angst through the unique medium of soccer.
When I think of my identity as a Portlander, there are few things as vividly tied in my mind. Beer, coffee, trees, food trucks, funky fashions....and the Timbers beating the Sounders. (Particular highlight of my life being the "Red Wedding" game, in which Seattle self-destructed emotionally, receiving 3 red cards and finishing with 7 players after Clint Dempsey ripped the referee's notebook in frustration, Timbers going on to win 3-1 at home. TOP TEN DAYS IN MY LIFE.)
My first Seattle matches were against the Timbers in the USL. The bastards always seemed to have our number, and were shitty about it, so by the time they went up to MLS and we didn't the hatred was already bred into me. It's never really changed; somehow beating Seattle is satisfying in ways that beating other opponents isn't.
On the Thorns side, tho...the first several years the Reign never really felt the same way. Western New York (and then as North Carolina) and FCKC were the real "rivals", and the teams I wanted the Thorns to beat. It wasn't until probably 2018 or so that the Thorns-Reign games felt like real rivalry games for me. Now? Ohhellyes.
So I really want to see both Seattle clubs go home sad this weekend. There's no drink so refreshing as a cup of bitter Seattle tears.
outside of the memories of matches, I remember in early mls days bringing my girlfriend to a fish game when we would all be lined up along 18th and their team bus was coming past and everyone is chanting and they later told me that they where looking around thinking this is maybe a bit aggressive and weird, when they saw an older lady with likely their grandkid and they where both flipping off the bus and after the bus passed everyone was laughing and excited for the game and not angry, and they kinda got the nature of the whole thing.
These derbies always bring out strong emotions and it's that boost I'm looking forward to.
I know supporters will turn out in their thousands, and I'd imagine / hope that the players on the field will feel this and be encouraged to put in real effort.
The Timbers haven't shown so much emotional drive lately, and I hope they'll turn it on for this derby since a loss would be fairly devastating, as low on the table as PTFC is.
The Thorns, however, are surely going to go all in for this one and will be a joy to behold on the pitch.
When we joined MLS, there was a kind of dread going to Jeld-Wen to face the Sounders, because the Timbers were nowhere as good and there always seemed to be a bunch of obnoxious Sounders fans sitting in the general seating ready to rub it in. Regardless, the Timbers gave it their all, and I could appreciate that, and when they did win, it felt so sweet.
I'm really enjoying the fact that we haven't lost in six. Like Phil says, that doesn't really matter, though. What does, is being ready to give it their all, unlike the last match. I say they will, and I will be interested to see who Phil believes will give it their all.
These days, the MLS is plenty going on that makes individual games hard to value--an ever-expanding set of teams with most all of them making playoffs in the end anyway. The derby match is the exception, one that I actually want to circle on the calendar. Nearing 50 years of animosity, this derby provides two cities that are famously "nice" the unique opportunity to work out their buried angst through the unique medium of soccer.
When I think of my identity as a Portlander, there are few things as vividly tied in my mind. Beer, coffee, trees, food trucks, funky fashions....and the Timbers beating the Sounders. (Particular highlight of my life being the "Red Wedding" game, in which Seattle self-destructed emotionally, receiving 3 red cards and finishing with 7 players after Clint Dempsey ripped the referee's notebook in frustration, Timbers going on to win 3-1 at home. TOP TEN DAYS IN MY LIFE.)