The Rickroll

This heated derby was here long before MLS came to Cascadia. It was here long before they attempted to copyright The Cup out from under the supporter groups who started it. And, it was here long before it's "media partners" hyped it and packaged it for voyeuristic consumption.

This league continues its attempts to push the false hype, and to monetize it in any way it can. What used to be two fierce meetings per year - one home and one away - has now turned into 3 or 5 clashes within 6 weeks, across all competitions. And with those extra meetings comes higher and higher ticket prices, more and more travel costs for fans, and bigger and bigger demands for supporter groups to perform for the cameras.

So, to those demands, we say, click here.

Because you see, this derby isn't about the onlookers, the cameras, or league marketers.

Because you see, for the Emerald City Supporters, this derby is about the players who wear our Club's crest and who play for the pride of their supporters.

Because you see, beyond still being an internet meme 30 years later, Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" is a love song. It is an anthem of deep commitment and devotion. The lyrics speak to the same themes that every supporter from around the world sings to his or her club.

So, just like the derby itself, we are taking back this love song and giving it directly to our players:

Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down

Never gonna run around and desert you

Never gonna make you cry, never gonna say goodbye

Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you



This derby is one of the few authentic things in this manufactured league. And it is so only because of a handful of players, coaches, front office executives, and fans who get it and who have guarded it.

And long may it live. Up the Sounders. Up the ECS.

Up the Sounders. Up the ECS.