It was a record-setting and rain-soaked crowd of almost 40,000 that showed up for the Sounders’ home opener at Century Link on Sunday, dousing Pioneer Square in blue and green along the way.
Those who weathered the entirety of the 90-minute-plus match witnessed the heroics of Chad Barrett, who scored in the final minute of second-half stoppage time to lift the Sounders to a 1-0 victory. The win brought the Sounders to a 4-2 record in home openers and was an auspicious start to the season, especially in light of the team’s inability to win at the end of last season. Check out our photo gallery of all the pageantry and gameplay here.
… into an all-out frenzy.
… and the crowd…
Which sent the team…
Which made it that much more sweet when Sounders newcomer Chad Barrett knocked in a goal in the very last seconds of stoppage time.
Yet even after hard-fought battles, regular time ended with a tie.
The onfield action took a notable turn in the 57th minute when Sounders’ Clint Dempsey took the field.
Especially this guy.
Despite KC earning three of the five yellow cards, Sounders fans felt the team deserved more, and weren’t afraid to show it.
… including one against KC defender Aurelien Collin.
What does the return of smoke bombs …
… where the fight for possession became increasingly aggressive.
Much of the game action, though, was clustered in the mid-field …
Who, despite repeated attempts, couldn’t quite get it into the net during regular play.
The game wound up being a tale of missed opportunities for the Sounders.
It was a wet affair, with a steady, drenching rain from start to finish.
A crowd of over 39,000 turned out for the match against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday.
Only one thing: the start of the Seattle Sounders FC 2014 season at the CLink!
… and a sea of blue and green scarves to Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood mean?
… Soundwave …
