ECS Match Preview: Sounders vs. Revolution 3/8

Partier and Philosopher Andrew W.K., reflecting on love, asked: "What sort of victory divides us from our own hearts?" When we support our Sounders, there is no divide. Our communities, our family: we come together. Together, we open our hearts and our voices in a way that is the envy of the world. The great things we do together - the tifo, the marches, the songs, ECSFC, the travel - come from the heart. As the ECS enters its tenth year, we all celebrate our decade of dominance even though hours ago we didn't even know if this day was going to come. We faced the specter of business trumping passion and heart. It's here, though. It's the first matchday of 2015. Let our love for Seattle and the Sounders be heard.

I won't lie - this matchup should have happened three months ago. The Revolution deserved their spot as the Eastern Conference's representative in the MLS Cup Final last fall. Lee Nguyen, along with Agudelo, Bunbury, and even Puget Sound local Kelyn Rowe, are among the best the East has to offer. Our backline, compiled from veterans of soccer but not of centerback, and new overseas signings will have to show whether they can combine to shut down an exceptionally talented midfield from "Boston." Place no faith in preseason results - neither coach was playing the way they plan to on Sunday, and maybe Oba looked a step behind in Arizona, but Arizona meant nothing. Come Sunday, he joins us back home at Royal Brougham Park. Home means everything.

It feels like it's been a long time since our last victory - but we haven't stopped singing. Down her wild mountains and canyons, the Columbia still rolls on. The skies remain the bluest blue. We still love our Sounders. In 2015, may victory come from our hearts.

MATCHDAY NOTES (THESE ARE IMPORTANT)

During the March to the Match, we ask that everyone except those designated as ECS Security or capos stay behind the banner as we head to RBP.

Through a new partnership with Jameson, the first 100 Jamesons purchased at Merchants, Fuel or Temple on Sunday will be $5. (we told you this section was important)

For anyone whose tickets are in 121-123, please note that you will be provided a wristband upon entrance into the stadium. That wristband ensures you can enter and exit GA, and that anyone with a GA ticket will not be turned away due to overcrowding. Additionally, the stadium will be requiring anyone with a GA ticket to enter the stadium through the South Gates (where the March to the Match completes) after the first two or three games. We expect this to begin in April.

ONE MORE WEEK OF MENTALITY ROUND 1!

(photo credit: Jill Peck)

Our first pre-sale ends ends on March 15, and you don't want to miss the first wave of ordering so you can have your gear in time for mid-to late April home and away matches! You'll have other opportunities to to get all of your must have items during two other buy sessions, but don't wait til then! Why envy all your fellow supporters' gear?

CASCADIA 3-PACK NOW ON SALE

Psst! Did you score your 3-PACK of Cascadia tickets yet? They're on sale now for 2015 members in the ECS Shop. For $250, you get one match ticket to each of three games - two in Vancouver, one in Portland - and a seat on one of our ECS buses. Not seeing the 3-PACK on sale in the store? Sign in and make sure your membership is up to date!

SINGLE MATCH CASCADIA ON SALE 3/7

You asked, we answered. Single-match Cascadia tickets go on sale Saturday, March 7, at high noon (that isn't a weed joke) in the ECS shop. There's a one ticket per current ECS member limit until further notice.

BUY ALL THE TRAVEL

Oh, did we not mention that tickets for Dallas, LA, Colorado, Columbus, KC, Philly, Chicago, Montreal, RSL, San Jose, and Houston are all available in the ECS Shop as well?

ECS SHOP NEEDS YOUR HELP

Our membership kits are shipping, and we appreciate your patience! Please message us at [email protected] if you haven't received yours by the Ides of March.

As it's been a busy winter for our ECS Shop Monkeys, we can still use use YOUR help getting out all of our 2015 Membership kits this month. Send a message to [email protected] or fill out our volunteer form if you'd like to help out with the shop or any other group within ECS!

Additionally, we'll have limited membership kit pickup available at our membership table on the RBP concourse, on a first-come, first-served basis for the first three home games this season.

S2: Back to the USL

The era of the trialist is quickly coming to an end for S2 with the official signings of Academy product Duncan McCormick and history making Sounder Amadou Sanyang. With a squad of roughly 30 unnamed players coaches Ezra Hendrickson and Djimi Traor�, we think that's what he's doing on the sideline, have gone undefeated in all of their preseason scrimmages played so far.

Aaron Long and draftee Andy Craven stayed behind with S2 as the first team traveled to Arizona and look to become pivotal pieces of the squad. Young Argentine trialist Pablo Rossi had a short stint in First Team camp before making a name for himself with the growing S2 faithful dreaming of more golazos from way way out. And then there's Trialist 269, the man in the yellow boots...who is Trialist 269?! More will be revealed as signings continue in the next few weeks building up to the March 21st home opener at Starfire.

Season Tickets are still available in the designated ECS section for $139. Join us in supporting the future of the Sounders and creating one of the best atmospheres in the USL. Use the ECS Member Promo Code: S2SUPPORT here.

HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE

2015 Sounders Season Hype Trailer
by @LikkitP

We'll see you on the terraces.

Emerald City Supporters