Photos by Max Aquino and Casey Woodrum Captions by Max Aquino
Since 2010, the recreational amateur sporting clubs of the Emerald City Supporters (ECS) and the Timbers Army have faced off in annual games coinciding with a Sounders vs Timbers match on the same weekend. What began as a single match between the two groups in March of 2010 has grown into an annual event, rotating between host cities. The 2015 match was held at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, WA on August 29.
The women’s game is in its second year after a successful kickoff down in Portland, which saw Whipsaws FC take the inaugural Women’s Supporters’ Cup.
Whipsaws FC regularly represent the Timbers Army in the Northwest United Womens Soccer league as well as traveling to different tournaments throughout the country.
ECS FC Women is comprised mostly of members of ECS Roosevelt, who represent the Emerald City Supporters in the Seattle Recreational Adult Team Soccer league.
An early breakaway by ECS FC Women amounted to little, as Danyeal Jones was unable to keep her shot on frame and the ball went out of bounds for a goal kick.
Heidi Grubbs broke the deadlock, beating ECS FC defenders to a through ball from Helen Philpot and chipping the ball past ECS FC Goalkeeper Shayna Gosney.
ECS FC Women tried to counter and were able to register a few shots, but were unable to break through and equalize.
As the half wore on, the ECS FC Women were unable to sustain consistent pressure and began to resort to chasing through balls.
Late into the first half, the ECS FC Women were forced to try to launch long balls into the box, which were successfully corralled by goalkeeper Rachel Etnire.
Whipsaws FC entered the half up 1-0 after controlling possession and looking the more dangerous of the two sides.
Early into the second half, Angela Cavaleri blasted home a loose ball in the box after several deflections of a Heidi Grubbs cross, giving Whipsaws FC a 2-0 lead.
The Whipsaws continued to mount pressure on goal, forcing several big saves from ECS FC Women’s goalkeeper Shayna Gosney to keep the game within reach.
ECS FC Women were able to make a few late runs, but were unable to press Whipsaws FC goalkeeper Rachel Etnire into action.
In the end, it was all Whipsaws FC, as they finished with their second straight victory, returning to Portland with the Women’s Supporters Cup.
