US Soccer Thrives on Seattle’s Enthusiastic Support in World Cup Clash

Weston McKennie and his teammates celebrated with fans following their impressive 2-0 victory against Australia. Just two days prior to this triumph, the vibrant soccer culture of Seattle was on full display, evident even during a simple train ride.

On Wednesday, as I took the light rail to lunch near Pike Place Market, I found myself surrounded by supporters clad in jerseys representing both the United States and Australia. A friendly encounter with a fellow passenger led to a nostalgic conversation about his time as a goalkeeper for the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers during the 1990s, long before Major League Soccer's inception.

In the Pacific Northwest, such interactions reflect the deep-rooted love for soccer, cultivated by teams like the Sounders, Reign, Timbers, and Thorns. Since the 1970s, these clubs have weathered tough periods for American soccer, particularly between the collapse of the North American Soccer League in 1984 and the formation of MLS in 1996. The Sounders joined MLS in 2009 and quickly became a blueprint for modern fan culture in the U.S.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber acknowledged this influence, stating, "Seattle was the boost that showed the world that MLS can [have] a popular, viable and meaningful soccer team in the United States." The vibrant atmosphere at the match against Australia reflected this legacy, with streets bustling with fans in red, white, and blue, and a packed stadium well before kickoff.

Friday's match marked a return for the U.S. Men's National Team to a stadium they hadn’t played in nearly ten years, now featuring natural grass instead of artificial turf. Kasey Keller, a legendary U.S. goalkeeper, expressed his joy, remarking, “This is my dream,” and hoped the NFL's Seahawks would consider similar improvements.

While the result of the match may not have been as shocking as the U.S. victory over Colombia in the 1994 World Cup, it was filled with emotion. Players celebrated with fans, and the crowd united in singing "Country Roads," a beloved anthem that resonated beautifully in the shadow of Mount Rainier. Defender Auston Trusty captured the sentiment perfectly: “It’s just being proud of your country, you know?”