For the first 33 minutes of Friday’s match between the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders, groups of supporters for both teams stayed eerily silent. This MLS derby match is often a breeding ground of fervent fandom, as the Timbers Army, Gorilla FC and the Emerald City Supporters are regarded as three of the most passionate fan groups in the league and this was a big meeting for both teams. But on Friday they had a message to send.
The groups were protesting the league’s ban on political signs, in particular the use of the Iron Front logo. The groups believe that the World War II-era symbol, which was used by an anti-Nazi organization, should be allowed in the stadium because it represents an opposition to fascism.