This game has more on the line than just points and beating Portland. The Timbers organization continues to prove what we’ve known all along - they are trash. Back in June ECS leadership evaluated the pros and cons of going to the game at all. At the time we determined that our voices could make an impact and that we would still show up. This decision becomes harder to live with as the weeks go by. What message are we sending to our members by going?
Being a victim of abuse is isolating and terrifying. It takes courage and strength to come forward, especially against powerful people. Knowing that you were ignored and brushed off for coming forward is not only defeating but prevents more people from coming forward. This is the what the NWSL and the Timbers organization did to Sinead Farrelly and Mana Shim. The message they gave to their fans is we don’t care about what happens off the field as long as we are successful on the field. But that was just the tip of the iceberg at that trash heap of an organization. What’s followed has been story after story of domestic abuse, abuse of power, boorish behavior, and incompetence in handling any of it.
ECS reached out to the TA in an effort to make a coordinated stand to bring amplified attention to the continued failings from the Timbers front office and the TA was not interested in coordinating. A decision we can’t quite understand. We’ve heard from the Timbers FO and they’ve made it clear ‘personal attacks’ will not be tolerated. A decision that silences those who support the victims of their abuses. So what now? We cannot ignore that any of what has happened in that organization is in any way okay. That’s not who ECS is. We will go, we will be loud, and we will make it known that The Emerald City Supporters stands with women and stands with those who’s voices have been silenced for far too long.
ECS has made a stand before and we will make a stand again. Believe women. Support women.