Offside Sound-Off: Where Are Your Seats?

By: Laurie | April 10th, 2008

A few months back I plunked down the $$ to reserve my season tickets for the MLS expansion side we can now call Seattle Sounders FC. (And don’t ask me what a “Sounder” is. That’s completely irrelevent in the face of years of history.)

And now it’s not going to be long before some ticket rep calls me to find out where I want to sit.

It’s the eternal sports-viewing dilemma: Do we want the higher-priced seats that give the best views of the action? Or do we want to go with the cheaper seats, which have worse views but more atmosphere? And by “atmosphere,” I of course mean “frequently drunken fans who know the words to all the songs, and who keep life from getting boring.”

I just tipped my hand about what direction I’m leaning, didn’t I? But on the other hand, there is definitely something to be said for being able to see the action on both ends of the field.

So before I make my final decision, we at The Offside would like to know:

Where do you like to sit at games, and how does this affect your “viewing experience”? And would this change if the price for both kinds of seats were the same? And while you’re at it, tell us what was great (or awful) about the location of your seats in a game you’ve viewed.

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john

Row 5 in the Screaming Eagle Nest, but at the far end from the Barra Brava. So we get less beer thrown and no obstructions from the flags.
Rob

There's always a stand thats kind of a middle price, its usually by the corner flag, and where all the old people who 'haven't missed a home match in X number of years' people are - i've always loved standing there. Thats where the charachters are.
Johonna

But in will there be a Seattle Sounders FC "curva" ? Where will the die-hard supporters sit?

Oh, and Ian Rose, I bet that smoke was all natural and therapeutic.
GOALSeattle.com

But, back on topic: there really isn't a bad seat in the lower bowl of Qwest Field....just avoid the first row or two above the walkways. People coming and going will block your view.

Some people are used to moving to the Sounders attacking end each half, but alas we'll have such big crowds that isn't going to be very easy to do anymore.
Johonna

Bluemeanies: They throw BEARS at DC? I am sure you meant beer, but it sure paints a funny picture.
GOALSeattle.com

"Sounder?"

I'll use my patient teacher voice.

"People who live in the Puget SOUND region are called Puget SOUNDERS. As an example, I am a West Sounder because I live in Kitsap County. See? Nifty! A team named itself after the people who actually live where it plays!"
ben

I've sat in the fancy seats for a few MLS games, and while the view is excellent, the people around you act like they're watching golf. I'd rather be in jumping around and screaming with the drunks behind the goal. I can catch the highlights on TV or online after the game if I missed something because of a smoke bomb or giant flag getting in the way. And since it's MLS, you don't have to worry about riot police or water cannons like you would if you're sitting with the hardcore fans elsewhere in the world.
bluemeanies

The supporters section at DC is large enough I can find my happy medium. That tends to be limited obstruction by flags because I still want to see the game, no smoke-bombs that make my eyes water and less bear thrown up in celebration to ruin a purse I ended up bringing to a game but also a section that stands and sings and gets into it with no random opposition members.
Lucas

During the off season I start thinking how nice it would be to have an actual seat and to be able to actually see the action for 90 minutes.

But then the season approaches and I get all geeked out. As of right now I am not ready to retire to library seats, so my Portland Timbers season tix are GA107 (i.e., behind the north goal a.k.a. The Woodshed of PGE Park). I find it's handy to stand as close as possible: because I am hobbit height and it gets me in front of most of the flags/smoke/capos.
VictorM

I have midfield season tickets for the NYRB at Giants stadium. My seats line up with the midfield line and back in row 30 (I wanted to sit further up and under the upper deck).

I just bought tickets for the USA-Argentina game and I'll be sitting on the first row of the upper deck.

When Red Bull Park opens, I plan to get my season tickets on the first row of the upper level, as close to the midfield as possible. I like watching the game from higher up.

I sat with the supporters once. I did not like that. The constant waving of flags in my face was annoying.
areallaticfromthesouth

dont become a 'prawn sandwich eater' please?
Tom

Some of us can only afford the cheap supporters' area, but I'm pretty damn happy standing there anyway. One day I'll be old, tired and wealthy enough to want a decent view and a comfortable seat, but that's a ways off.
Dave's Football Blog

I usually head right to the south stand behind goal where my fellow Railhawk fanatics are. The catharsis of beating a bass drum and singing my lungs out for 90 minutes is usually more fun than the game itself, though hopefully that will change in 2008.
Ian Rose

Even Seattle fans need a little smoke ... just a little.
Johonna

Oh, and I have never been to an MLS game in Seattle before (or even a sounders game), but, as a city, Seattle does not strike me as a fan-with-smoke-bomb kind of place. That would be far too toxic and inconsiderate. =0)
Johonna

Ooo, Laurie, I am so glad you brought this up. I am in the exact same dilemma. Although to be fair, I plunked down my $$ some time last year when the whole thing was announced and reps have yet called me. There may be more time than you think to make your decision.

Another consideration for Seattle is the weather. The more expensive seats are under cover. I may be a supporter, but am I a supporter in the 40-degree sideways rain we get in the spring? Just how wet am I willing to get? I guess that is a question one can only answer for oneself =0)
Ian Rose

Unless I'm an away fan, put me right in the middle of the loudest home supporters group, between the ridiculously huge flag and the smoke bomb. If I wanted quiet viewing, I'd either watch at home or become a baseball fan. *shudder*