Following the comment trail on the "On To the Semifinals" post – in particular the things I said about the "singer flag-waver guys" – the folks at Emerald City Supporters felt compelled to write.

I figured it might make for a good thread all on its own. I am not unsympathetic. Just how do you build a broad, excited throng of devoted fans who make the games that much more fun – like they've got in Toronto, at the DC United games and elsewhere?

Take it away, Kool Keith:

Thanks for including us in your write-up of Tuesday night's Sounders match. It is truly a great day when Emerald City Supporters gets positive coverage from the media. I would like to think that we played a vital part in helping motivate the Sounders on to victory on Tuesday night. Seeing the lads dig deep and pull out a victory such as they did on Tuesday, after going through the emotional highs and lows in a similar fashion last year against FC Dallas, makes not having a voice on Wednesday morning all the more tolerable. Being the guy that cannot speak in the morning-after staff meetings is something I look at as a badge of honor.

Ultimately, I have a few questions that were brought up from the comments section on the blog. First, you say that we are not a legion. What do you mean by that? If you compare us to supporters groups here in the States we show favorably. Outside of the TAs, Barra Bravas and Section 8s we are one of the premier second team supporters groups. I think it's not on the same level to compare us to foreign supporters or even supporters for All Nations Cup. I am not sure why, but as hard as we try (with fliers in Spanish or by giving away free scarves, etc.) we cannot get many Latinos to join us in our section. I think it has to do with a few factors, but we don't see them support our club the way they will support Mexico or Brazil.

Next, I'm not sure how we can create a big dance sort of atmosphere. As big as the sport is here, it really doesn't seem to have hit a critical mass. The Mariners are doing terribly and we're still not even close to drawing crowds on their level (granted it's MLB vs. USL-1). Maybe next year and into the future things will change, but without an MLS club it's been darned difficult to even get to the 100-ish people you saw Tuesday. Regardless of excuses, we do have things planned. We want to do some pub crawls with merchandise and season ticket giveaways to help promote ours and the Sounders cause. We're also trying to do tailgates and other things that help to draw folks in and get them involved in being active supporters.

Lastly, with regards to losing the "Sounders 'til we die" chant. Before I get into the reasons why we sing this one (I will respond back with the reasons behind it), why do you think we should give this one up?

If you have any ideas, please forward them on to us. I look forward to your response.

Cheers,
Keith

The Seattle Sounders (4-3-8) USL game tonight against the Rochester Rhinos (3-5-5) will be aired on the Fox Soccer Channel at 5 p.m.

Here's a short preview from the Sounders:

Half way through the season, Seattle is tied for fourth place (20 points) with Atlanta. This past weekend on the road, the team drew with the Carolina RailHawks (2-2) and lost to the Charleston Battery (1-0). Kenji Treschuk earned USL-1 team of the week honors for his goal against Carolina. Seattle’s last victory in league play came June 7 at home against Minnesota.

Seattle has already played nine games on the road (2-3-4) going into this weekend’s road trip. Of the Sounders remaining fifteen regular season games, six are on the road. Seattle’s final seven matches are at home. Next up is the long time league powerhouse Rochester Rhinos, who find themselves in the atypical position of last place with 14 points.

This past Saturday the Rhinos disregarded their last place standing and defeated the second-place Vancouver Whitecaps, 3-1. Midfielders Ze Roberto and Johnny Menyongar were named to USL-1 team of the week, with Roberto earning player of the week honors for his two goals in the win.

Rochester pays a return visit to Seattle one week from today: July 18.

More info is available at the Sounders' Web site.