The Lions have had 24 games to get used to playing in packed stadiums. Thirteen of those have been at home in front of an average of over 30,000 fans, and their road games have drawn some of their opponents’ largest attendance numbers of the season – there to catch a glimpse of Kaká and MLS’ newest expansion club.
All those games in front of fans have adjusted the Lions to playing in front of fervent crowds, but their biggest test of the season awaits in Seattle on Sunday.
Since their inception in 2009, the Sounders have been known for having one of the largest and loudest crowds in MLS. This year, they have drawn an average attendance of approximately 41,000.
And with their team struggling of late, the Seattle faithful are sure to be out in full force when Kaká & Co. come to town.
“It’s a real vibrant atmosphere – arguably the best atmosphere within MLS,” said head coach Adrian Heath on Tuesday.
Early in the season, before the Sounders lost key players to injury – notably star forwards Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins – they were nearly unbeatable at home. The Sounders collected 20 of 27 possible points in Seattle to start the year. Since June 6, though, the Rave Green has won just two of eleven.
But Seattle’s stars are returning to full-strength and they could possibly have five or six players back when the teams meet on Sunday, according to Heath. Their lineup is difficult to predict, but one thing is for certain – CenturyLink Field will be jumping on Sunday.
Still, Heath thinks his own home crowd is better.
“I think we have the best atmosphere. It’s not choreographed. Everybody is spontaneous from what we see on the pitch, which is what I think is a little bit unique for our Club.”
Being accustomed to playing in front of huge crowds will help the Lions tune out the Seattle crowd. But that doesn’t mean they’ll ignore them.
“I know the players are really looking forward to it. It’s one of them [games] when the fixture list comes out you have a look and go, ‘When are we away in Seattle?’ I’m looking forward to it myself,” said Heath.
The Lions’ home crowd has trained their team how to play on fields where they might not be able to hear themselves think. All that training may go a long way this Sunday in Seattle.
