UPDATE: ESPN has apparently been convinced that this was not a great idea after the Sounders and Timbers reached out on behalf of their supporters groups. As of now, there are no plans to have cameras in the section or live feeds showing their activities throughout the game.

As with most encounters between the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers, this Sunday’s affair is hotly anticipated (pardon the pun).

It will officially be the 98th match between the two. It features the last two MLS Cup Champions. It will also feature cameras in both of the clubs supporters’ sections. The cameras will be streaming live on ESPN3 and the ESPN App to “capture the atmosphere.”

While it might make sense from a distance, this just has “bad idea” written all over it. Best we can tell, ESPN didn’t consult with the Timbers Army or ECS. How do we know? If they did, there is no way they would have been OK with it. ECS, in particular, has repeatedly taken issue with what they perceived as overly aggressive camera operators. Having cameras trained on the supporters’ section all game is practically inviting the kind of stuff that led ECS to stage a pseudo protest in 2015 after one of their members was given a ban for flipping off a camera during a match at BC Place.

If there’s one saving grace, it’s that cameras in the supporters section will only be available on the internet — ESPN3 and their App — and not the actual live TV feed.

Sunday Schedule

7:00 PM - MLS Heineken® Rivalry Week – Pregame Show - ESPN2

7:30 PM - Kickoff - ESPN2, ESPN Deportes+

7:30 PM - Supporters Cam - ESPN3

9:30 PM - ESPN FC on TV - Postgame - ESPN2