PORTLAND, Ore. — Do not adjust your television. The field mics are working just fine. You are, in fact, hearing what it sounds like when some of the most vocal supporters groups in arguably the most anticipated match of their season decide to be silent.
After singing and chanting for most of the pregame, Emerald City Supporters, Gorilla FC and Timbers Army decided not to display pregame tifos and will not engage in organized singing or cheering for the first 33 minutes of Friday’s decisive Cascadia Cup encounter. The action of solidarity is being taken as a protest against Major League Soccer’s ban on “political” signage in general and the Iron Front symbol in particular.