Photo by J. Kraemer, from our Flickr Pool

In recognition of the Seattle Sounders FC’s first ever MLS cup semi-final match tonight (versus Houston, 7pm at Qwest Field), Mayor Greg Nickles has declared today Seattle Sounders FC day. “Sounders FC is now the franchise by which all others will be judged, and whose supporters are the envy of clubs everywhere,” Nickels says.

Starting at about…well, now, really, people who follow soccer tend to be a particularly passionate breed of sports fan, the Pioneer Square area will be overrun with green as Sounders fans gather to cheer on their team. The official march to the match starts 90 minutes before the game as fans gather in Occidental Park and march to Qwest Field while chanting, singing and raising their scarves.

If the Sounders win this series (game two is in Houston on November 8), they will next face Chivas USA, hosting that game one during the weekend of November 14. If not, Sounders will travel to LA to challenge the Galaxy.