Sounders FC: One Enchanted Evening, Part 1

March 19, 2009 is one of those magical days that ranks right up there with the best sporting events I've ever been fortunate enough to witness.

That's the day that Seattle Sounders FC took to the Xbox 360 pitch at Qwest Field for the inaugural game of their membership into Major League Soccer.

From the moment I saw the 2,000 or so fans packed into Occidental Park for the "March to the Match" to the end of the night when Man of the Match Fredy Montero waved good-night to the 32,000 fans as he disappeared up the tunnel, it was a night to remember.

(I'll apologize for the lateness of this post — I was busy with NCAA women's basketball until today).

There was so much to see, experience and document that I'll be breaking this post into three parts.

Festivities officially started with the March to the Match, a parade that will take place before each contest, with fans and the Sound Wave band marching from Occidental Park to Qwest Field.

As I said, the square was packed with fans, none more jubilant than owner Drew Carey and his son Connor, 4.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 27mm, ISO 400, 1/500th sec.,f5.0)

Majority owner Greg Nickels was on hand to receive a handshake and a scarf from majority owner Joe Roth. It must have been a relief for Nickels to see a franchise arriving instead of leaving town.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 29mm, ISO 500, 1/250th sec.,f5.0 + flash)

Fans large and small vied for spots with which to see the small stage, and this young fellow got a shoulder perch.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 70-200mm/f2.8 lens @ 200mm, ISO 800, 1/640th sec.,f2.8)

Once the parade began, it was Carey again, the gifted entertainer, who led the crowd and fed the spirit of those taking part in the march.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 24mm, ISO 400, 1/250th sec.,f8.0 + flash)

The team's Sound Wave band, which had an amazingly good sound, served as a 56-person Pied Piper, sending brass-and-percussion infused energy throughout the path to  Qwest Field and along along the north side of the stadium.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 24mm, ISO 400, 1/250th sec.,f8.0)

Fans both on the ground and high above the fray in adjoining balconies showed their spirit as the countdown to the game began.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 70-200mm/f2.8 lens @ 200mm, ISO 800, 1/640th sec.,f3.5)

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 24mm, ISO 400, 1/250th sec.,f5.0 + flash)

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 24mm, ISO 400, 1/250th sec.,f5.0 + flash)

Once inside the stadium, the festivities continued. The Seagals made a brief appearance, dolled up in the Sounders' rave green jerseys.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor VR 200-400mm/f4.0 lens @ 350mm, ISO 1600, 1/400th sec.,f4.0)

Washington governor Christine Gregoire presented M.L.S. commissioner Don Garber with a ceremonial golden scarf during a ceremony, flanked by owners Adrian Hanauer, left and Joe Roth, right.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor VR 200-400mm/f4.0 lens @ 400mm, ISO 1600, 1/400th sec.,f4.0)

If you haven't caught on to the scarf fever that is gripping our fair city, be prepared. Thousands raised their scarves on cue during pregame.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor VR 200-400mm/f4.0 lens @ 400mm, ISO 1600, 1/400th sec.,f4.0)

The entire stadium was decked out in Sounders finery for the game. Fans sported jerseys, scarves, t-shirts and hats, and pennants, banners and flags were also in abundance.

(Nikon D3, Nikkor 70-200mm/f2.8 lens @ 700mm, ISO 1600, 1/400th sec.,f4.0)

To be continued…