Photos by Max Aquino and Casey Woodrum Captions by Max Aquino
Since 2010, the recreational amateur sporting clubs of the Emerald City Supporters (ECS) and the Timbers Army have faced off in annual games coinciding with a Sounders vs Timbers match on the same weekend. What began as a single match between the two groups in March of 2010 has grown into an annual event, rotating between host cities. The 2015 match was held at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, WA on August 29.
FC Portlandia represents the Timbers Army FC in the Greater Portland Soccer District.
ECS Mens I is composed mostly of players from ECS FC Black, which plays in the Greater Seattle Soccer League.
Pomp and circumstance were not in short supply, as the national anthem was led by Dr. Stephen Newby.
Brian Schmetzer, Roger Levesque, and Steve Zakuani were guest coaches for ECS FC Mens I, ECS FC Women, and ECS FC Mens II, respectively.
Members of the Sounders FC front office showed their support to the ECS by joining in the supporters section as well as staging their own “March to the Match”.
The ECS FC put on the early pressure, getting the ball into FC Portlandia’s box and earning several corners.
FC Portlandia Goalkeeper Mike Krasser quite literally rose to the occasion, commanding the air and stopping several promising ECS FC attacks to keep the game level.
The Emerald City Supporters finally broke through when Nate Brown collected a loose ball and hit a laser into the top corner.
The goal seemed to wake up FC Portlandia’s midfield, as they were able to relieve some of the pressure and begin to mount their own attacks.
The first half came to a close with the momentum stabilizing and ECS FC Mens I ahead 1-0.
The lead didn’t last for long. Charlie Piehler of FC Portlandia struck immediately into the second half, catching ECS FC goalkeeper Seth Hespe off his line and scoring from the 50.
The game quickly became a story of “bend but don’t break” as the defensive lines for both teams did just enough to absorb the pressure and prevent another goal.
Regular time ended with the score knotted at 1-1, sending the game into penalties.
FC Portlandia twice seemed to take advantage with big saves from Mike Krasser, but both times he was flagged for being off his line.
After ceding the intial two penalties, ECS FC goalkeeper Seth Hespe came up with two big saves of his own to clinch the game.
For the second straight year, the Emerald City Supporters won the Men’s Supporters Cup on penalties, with a score of 1-1 (4-2).
