Emerald City Supporters
| Emerald City Supporters | |
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| Team | Seattle Sounders FC |
| Location | CenturyLink Field sections 121-123 |
| Established | 2005 |
| Website | WeAreECS.com |
Emerald City Supporters (ECS) is an independent supporters' group for Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders FC. The ECS is known for large choreographed tifo displays.
Emerald City Supporters was founded in 2005 by the supporters of the now defunct Seattle Sounders soccer team that played in the United Soccer Leagues First Division. The name first appeared on a banner used as early as 2003 by a now defunct supporters' group known as The Pod, and was adopted by the new group upon its formation between the 2004 and 2005 seasons. The name reflects city pride, as Emerald City is a well-known nickname for the city of Seattle. When the arrival of a new MLS franchise in Seattle was announced in 2008 and it was clear that the USL Sounders were going to fold, the ECS decided to become supporters of the new club. When the name of the new club was decided by vote, the ECS was very active in rallying votes for the Sounders moniker. When the Sounders played in the USL the ECS had fewer than a hundred members. The arrival of MLS in Seattle resulted in a rapid growth of ECS membership, and by the inaugural game of Seattle Sounders FC in March 2009 ECS had about 600 members. By the end of 2009 the membership had risen to 1,400. In June 2010 the membership had passed the 2,000 mark. In 2012 the annual paid membership was about 2,700.
ECS occupies sections 121–123 at CenturyLink Field, the home ground of the Sounders. These sections are general-admission sections located behind the goal at the south end of CenturyLink Field, also known as The Brougham End. On the day of a home game the ECS congregates at bars in the Pioneer Square area, and marches together the half-mile distance from Occidental Park to CenturyLink Field. During games the ECS contributes to a supporters atmosphere through standing, singing, and tifo. Songs are led by a capo with the aid of a PA system and megaphones.
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