Sounders Supporters Donating Friendly Tickets To Charity

Every year, it seems, some group of MLS supporters promise to protest something. There has been talk of wearing black armbands to criticize the state of refereeing. Toronto FC’s North End Supporters recently made a scene over increased season-ticket prices. There’s even been discussion at various times over various causes for fans to not attend en masse -- something that may be going on every week in several locales without anyone realizing it.

Whatever you may think of these various displays of dissatisfaction, I think we can all agree that they are rarely constructive (regardless of how right the aggrieved may be).

In Seattle, where there’s a growing movement to convince the front office to place more emphasis on tournaments such as the CONCACAF Champions League and U.S. Open Cup rather than money-making friendlies, supporters seem to have come up with a constructive way to display their dissatisfaction.

Rather than take their frustrations out on their own players and the opposing team, Emerald City Supporters leaders have decided to donate their tickets in Qwest Field’s south end zone to a local Boys & Girls Club.

Here’s what they said in their release, via Sounder at Heart:

Without question, this display is not as simple as valuing trophies over friendlies. Fans are also clearly upset that none of the team’s three friendlies -- which were included as a nonoptional part of the season-ticket package -- were against high-profile European teams (last year those tickets were for games against FC Barcelona and Chelsea, as well as the MLS Cup).

Regardless of their reasons, though, this is a great way to take out some frustrations, and undoubtedly make the day for a bunch of underprivileged youths.