By Jake Coburn
Barra Brava is one of MLS’s oldest true supporters groups. Dan Perlea/mlsroadtrip.com
As far as supporters groups go, Barra Brava is one of the oldest groups and has been credited as the first real supporters group to bring in chants and different tifo to Major League Soccer.
By Jake Coburn
One of Section 8’s capos leading on the crowd. Dan Perlea/mlsroadtrip.com
With flags waving and people chanting “fire,” all of the groups meshed into one supporters section behind the goal at Toyota Park to take on Chicago’s rival, the Columbus Crew.
Since Section 8 is a mixture of Fire fans that may identify with a different name, their chants did not involve the name of their supporters group like we have seen in other cities. The chants were purely regarding the Chicago Fire and rooting for them to come out on top.
By Jake Coburn
Chicago Fire supporters tailgating before their last match against the Columbus Crew. Dan Perlea/mlsroadtrip.com
Section 8 cannot be defined as one group or one identity, but rather, they are a melting pot of smaller groups and cultures that share one common thread: They bleed for the Chicago Fire.
“Section 8 is the umbrella organization,” said the Director of Communications Dan Martin, “no one can say what to do.”
By Jake Coburn
CenturyLink Field, the home of the Seattle Sounders. Dan Perlea/mlsroadtrip.com
As we walked towards Fuel Bar to meet up with the co-president of Emerald City Supporters (ECS), we looked around to see the city full of Sounders FC jerseys as people prepared for the game against Sporting Kansas City.
The Seattle Sounders have one of the largest followings in Major League Soccer (MLS), and this is evident within their supporters groups. The biggest supporters group for the Sounders is the ECS, which was founded in 2005.
By Jake Coburn
Seattle on a rare sunny day. Dan Perlea/mlsroadtrip.com
While covering the fan support in Seattle, the team took some time to check out the city, which landed them in the middle of Pike Place Public Market located right off the Elliott Bay waterfront.
Pike Place Public Market in downtown Seattle. Dan Perlea/mlsroadtrip.com
After a quick walk through the market, the crew stopped to eat at a small restaurant nearby called Pike Place Bar and Grill. After a few laughs, some beer and a rather large amount of Belgian Waffles consumed by one member, the team returned to Pike Place to see one of the more famous attractions in the market: the tossing of a fish.
As the team stood in front of the fish market waiting for someone to purchase a fish, we were surrounded by people hoping to see the same thing. A small group began to chant, “Throw that fish, throw that fish,” as one of the workers jokingly responded, “Be quiet!” as he walked by laughing.
After a few minutes of standing around, a customer finally purchased a fish and the moment everyone had been waiting for was about to happen. Little kids pushed their way to the front hoping to get a glimpse of the action.
The worker took his position on the other side of the counter holding the three-foot long halibut, ready to toss it. After a perfect throw and catch, the spectators let out a cheer as the noise level of the market rose. The workers continued with their job along with the MLS Road Trip crew, as they left for their next destination: Golazo Energy.
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By Jake Coburn
Jeld-Wen Field, the home of the Portland Timbers, hosted MLS Road Trip for a private tour. Jake Coburn/mlsroadtrip.com
As the crew headed north to our next stop in Seattle, part of the team branched off to spend a few hours in Portland to check out the Timbers stadium, Jeld-Wen Field.While looking over the field at Jeld-Wen, you could feel the presence of the fans and the support this city has for its football club despite the stadium being completely deserted.
The crew continued to walk around the field enjoying the experience of seeing where one of the loudest supporters groups sits. Dark clouds began to cover the stadium; the rain started to fall like a typical Portland afternoon.
The stands where some of MLS’s loudest fans live. Jake Coburn/mlsroadtrip.com
As the sound of the rain hitting the empty seats continued, the team headed out to leave for Seattle after a quick stop at the team store located just inside of Jeld-Wen. According to a Timbers employee, the Timbers are rumored to get another new third kit along with their new kits next year.A special thanks to Timbers FC for letting the MLS Road Trip crew hang you with in Jeld-Wen. (Saw Danny Mwanga!)
Editor’s note: Don’t worry, Portland. MLS Road Trip will be back later this summer. The whole team will be attending the Aug. 5 match between the Timbers and FC Dallas.
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