By Jerry Neil

Well, that happened.

Rage, hate, sadness: you name it, and that feeling probably went through everyone's mind Friday night. Mannah overflowed in the Clink again. Damn, I hate that guy now. I've mulled over that loss until about 5:57pm Sunday night, when FC Dallas did us a huge favor by beating LA 2-1. I slept a little better Sunday night. Why? We are still in it! 2Pts - two draws - are all that separates us and LA from the Shield.

I'm stealing this quote from Rob Scott: "Whoever wrote the MLS schedule is both a genius and an asshole."

Now on to LA Away, and for me this is a match I refuse to miss out on. The chance to see my team win the Shield, in LA, at Lando's farewell match, in front of what looks to be an almost sold-out match is what it's all about. LA Away has been one of my favorite away matches to attend, and this will be about my 8th trip. Many times I have been joined by the Turner brothers Miki and Courtney (those guys know how to party). Trips for us usually consist of stops at Wee Man's Chronic Taco's Redondo Beach (pretty good eats there), many a meal at Old Tony's with our favorite bartender Manny! I can't recall the amount of Firechiefs that have been consumed during our stay. The occasional late night trip to the sketchy but fun arcade on the Boardwalk, and Naja's (some 80+ rotating beers on tap!). Some of the best away trip stories come from LA Away trips.

As for the match... Well, going into the Stub Hub Depot/whatever-the-hell they call it now always gets me nervous - minus the So-Cal Sound tailgates of course, those are just plain fantastic! Marching in each time with everyone looking at us like "who the hell are these guys?" has become the norm. Going into our section escorted by security with a feeling of "We got this one". It's a pretty decent stadium, even if we get thrown in the upper-deck. Now sure, you might get the occasional pistachio thrown at you - but hey, maybe the LA fans are just tired of listening to the crappy DJ on the field! Maybe they just can't stand the passion we bring for our boys.

The whole league has eyes to the west coast this week. This match is history in the making - and I can't wait for it!

Want to get more involved with the ECS?

Are you a graphic designer looking for ways to help the ECS? The Membership & Merchandise team is looking for folks to help design gear for 2015. This is a special year, come be a part of it!

Email [email protected] for more information.

Are you looking for ways to get more involved in the Emerald City Supporters? Want to help the group grow and continue to expand the scale of our support the Sounders? Trying to figure out how to meet people within the group? PERFECT! We need your help! Visit our Help Needed page to sign up for more information on ways to get involved!

Traveling with ECS to Los Angeles?

Thank you for purchasing your LA Away Ticket(s) through the Emerald City Supporters. Here is everything you and 270 of your new best friends need to know for this match day:

Tickets:

These were sent to you in a Monkey Mail on Wednesday - please print your ticket and bring it with you. The second part is important.

Parking:

Park in Lot 16 this time. You will need the visiting supporter parking pass attached to your ticket email and the $15 parking fee. This pass does not get you free parking!

Tailgate:

If you pre-purchased your tailgate ticket, your name is on the list. Head to Lot 16 for all the fun hosted by the fabulous SoCal Sound, who will once again be providing pre-match food and drinks to hype everyone up for this epic grunge match. To partake in the tailgate, check-in and get a wristband.

If you already purchased a tailgate ticket through ECS, your name will be on our list. If you didn't, we will have limited walk up tickets available, so arrive early if you want in. Walk up tickets are $10 per person. Please be prepared to show a valid ID if you plan on drinking. We will have non-alcoholic beverages for those under 21. SCS will also have a limited number of summer scarves available for purchase, they are $15 each. Scarves will be sold at the check-in station.

Itinerary:

As always, make SURE you check with the travel monkey on the ground for the latest schedule/details.

2:30p-4:30p Tailgate in Lot 16. Get there early and buy a walk-up ticket to the tailgate if you haven't purchased one already.

4:45p March to the match

5:30p Kickoff

5:31p OWN THE PLACE!

7:30p Final whistle...

Gametime (Important Information):

Emerald City Supporters is a supporters group. That's important to remember. Our reason for being at the match is to spur our boys on toward victory; everything else is secondary.

Our section will be treated as General Admission, we do not enforce seat assignments. Tifo, capos, the drum, and security will be in the front few rows. Everyone else is invited to stand where they feel most comfortable
Participation is encouraged. We'll have song cards so you can sing, chant, and go mental right along with us. Don't worry if you don't know all the words, just follow along the best you can and your support will be felt!
There may be times where you can't see as well as you might like due to flags and tifo. We like to wave flags. Even during the run of play sometimes. We feel like it's an important part of showing the boys our support, and they are going to need every ounce of strength. If a flag is in your way, and you don't like it - please feel free to change seats. That's part of why we do GA, so you're not stuck in an uncomfortable spot.
FRIENDS OR FAMILY IN OTHER MLS TEAM GEAR OR COLORS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STAND WITH US. If you or someone in your group is wearing colors of another MLS team, they will be asked to remove those items. If they refuse, we will try to have your group reseated. If StubHub Center cannot accommodate a reseating, then your group will be asked to leave.
Do not engage in any way with home fans. Security will keep them at bay; there's no need to engage in any wordplay, taunting, threats, etc. If you have an issue, notify ECS security or stadium staff.

Postgame:

We will be held in the section for 20 minutes (or so, so don't set your watches just yet). Security will escort the group back to Lot 16. If you choose not to stay with the group, you assume the risks of your own security.

Afterwards, many of us will be gathering at Barney's Beanery in Redondo Beach. So, feel free to join us!

Barney's Beanery

100 Fisherman's Wharf

Redondo Beach, CA 980277

www.barneysbeanery.com

Not traveling to LA Away?

What are you thinking? That's okay, you can go to our official viewing party (and opportunity for free beer for a year - scroll down!) at The Atlantic Crossing.

Want to learn more about ECS and what's going on with S2 and the Sounders Community Trust?

You may have heard the news about S2, the Sounders' new USL PRO squad, starting play in 2015, and that ECS has gotten involved in a big way. Our own Shawn Wheeler has spelled out some more of the details on how ECS is getting involved, and answers the tough questions - like whether or not we'll have beer in the stands at Starfire.

A whole year's supply of frosty, delicious beer - pretty much everyone's dream, right?

ECS FC is excited to announce the "Beer for a Year" Contest at the Atlantic Crossing. The lucky winner of this drawing will receive a year's supply of beer from Redhook Brewing in the form of two cases each month for an entire year! If that wasn't incentive enough, second prize is a framed ECS FC jersey autographed by none other than Captain America himself, Clint Dempsey.

Drawing will be held at the Atlantic Crossing during halftime of the Seattle Sounders @ LA Galaxy match, Sunday October 19th - kickoff is at 5:30PM.

Everyone 21+ will be allowed one entry each. Though entering this contest is free, we are suggesting a $10 donation to ECS FC for each entry. Entries will be accepted in person only at the Atlantic Crossing starting at 3PM on October 19.

For more information, please see here or contact [email protected] with further questions.

Donations will allow our very own Emerald City Supporters FC to purchase soccer balls, training equipment, and field time. A huge thank you to our partners Redhook Brewing and the Atlantic Crossing!

We'll see you on the terraces.

Emerald City Supporters