You have made it to the third MLS Sounders season! Gorilla FC is excited and amped as ever! March is packed full of action and events. Come party with us and celebrate spring, football season and friends. We also have a fundraiser to support in March as well as the first Cascadia Cup! If you have not already seen it, the 2011 schedule is posted on our website at http://www.gorillafc.com/game-schedule/ Civ cannot wait till the action begins!

Get your Portland GFC Bus Tickets here!  We also have ticket only.  These are for Gorilla FC Members only!  http://www.gorillafc.com/products-page/

GORILLA FC 2011 KIT AND A NEW SWEATSHIRT DESIGN

If you have not taken the time to purchase your Gorilla FC 2011 kit, you can purchase one at any time either in person or from the Gorilla FC e-store. Kits are $30 (unless you need it shipped or a size 2XL or larger) and include a 2011 scarf, t-shirt and membership card. Additionally, Keith at Method Designs has created a brand new design for the 2011 sweatshirt. The new sweatshirts can also be found at the Gorilla FC e-store and will be $35 (unless you need it shipped or a size 2XL or larger).

GORILLA FC FUNDRAISING FOR ST. BALDRICK’S AT FADO

Gorilla FC’s next fundraising event is the St. Baldrick’s event at Fado.   This is a Fado sponsored fundraiser to raise money for children’s cancer research on March 10th.  There are many ways to get involved.

1. Join the Gorilla FC Baldrick’s team, in which you will shave your head for the cause.  If you want to get signed up, go to:  http://www.stbaldricks.org/teams/mypage/teamid/68896 and join us.  Then you need to get sponsors to donate for your goal.
2. Donate money at the event on March 10th at Fado via the raffle which will have great Sounders items and other items.
3. Sponsor a shavee by donating at: http://www.stbaldricks.org/teams/mypage/teamid/68896
4. Go to the Fado event page for more info:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=135257816535504&index=1

SOUNDERS KICK OFF THE 2011 SEASON WITH THE CASCADIA CUP

Cascadia Cup is the first event for the Sounders during the 2011 season. It will be held at the Starfire Sports Complex March 4th-6th. Gorilla FC will be going to the Whitehorse (“ahem” – for good parking and cheap drinks) before the games. On Friday, it will be the Sounders versus the Timbers with a meet-up time of 4 pm at the Whitehorse. Saturday at 1 pm is a Supporter’s Summit of all the Northwest Supporters groups discussing some great topics in our NW rivalry. Sunday, it will be the Sounders versus the Whitecaps with a pre-party at 1 pm at the Whitehorse.

GOT ANY PLANS FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY???

Fado will be giving free entry (usually a $20+ fee just to get in) to Gorilla FC members with their membership cards. Go party hard to bring in the Irish holiday. GO GREEN BEER…..OR WATER!

MEMBERSHIP CARDS ARE PRINTED

Gorilla FC’s 2011 membership cards have been printed! We have printed up some credit card-like membership cards for our members this year. Each one will have your name printed on them and you should must present your card prior to ordering at any of our partner establishments. You can pick yours up from a captain at any game, Sounder’s or Gorilla FC event. If you paid to have your kit shipped to your residence, your card will be shipped out to you unless you notify us to do otherwise.

UPDATE ON PARTNER BAR SPECIALS – ELYSIAN

Elysian Brewery is giving Gorilla FC members some great special this year AT ANY TIME! That’s right! Not only will you get specials during the Sounders game, but at any time so long as you present your membership card prior to ordering. Bring and show your GFC membership card to get $1 off Elysian pints any time! They are also having Taco Tuesday from 4-6 pm and normal Happy Hour, Monday through Friday from 4-6 pm and 9-11 pm. Brunch is also available at Tangle Town Saturday and Sunday. To find out more information, check out their website at http://elysianbrewing.com/

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES FOR GORILLA FC

• March 4th – 6th: Cascadia Supporters Summit @ Starfire Complex
  • March 4:
    • Summit opening @ 7 pm
    • Seattle Sounders FC vs Timbers @ 7:30 pm
  • March 5:
    • Supporters Summit & Coaches Forum from 12-1 pm
    • Timbers vs Whitecaps @ 5 pm
  • March 6:
    • Sounders FC Academy U18 vs Whitecap FC Residency
    • Seattle Sounders FC vs Whitecaps @ 3 pm
• March 7: 2nd Annual Kick-Off Luncheon @ Qwest Field
• March 9: Charity Shield Match – Seattle Sounders FC vs Colorado Rapids @ 7 pm
• March 15: First Kick!!!! Sounders vs Galaxy – Pre-party with us – Fado @4 pm
• March 19: Sounders vs Red Bulls – Away Game – Auto Battery @ 430 pm
• March 25: Sounders vs Dynamo – Pre-party with us – Fado @ 4 pm

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE CASCADIA CUP!!!

Hello Gorilla FC Party Peeps!

Is everyone getting ready for the season to begin?!  The Front Offices from each club has asked for all supporter group leaders to pass along some information regarding this weekend’s matches.  Please read the notes below.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at pendlek@gmail.com or send me a message on Facebook.

ALL GAMES:

• Sounders, Timbers, Whitecaps clubs and Starfire have worked very hard to coordinate the security for each game.
• Each team’s supporter groups will have their own entrance, bathroom and beer garden.
• All areas will be gated off with security around them so there should be NO reason to cross into those areas.  If you do cross into those areas this could mean ejection from the game and future consequences with the club.
• Security and police will be on-site with a few police officers directing traffic off-site.  They understand all supporter groups will be walking back to their cars off-site.
• If there is an incident each club will be informed and you may be denied entrance to First Kick or Sounders FC games.  This is NOT tolerated and you will not be welcomed at future Gorilla FC events.  As a Gorilla FC member you are an ambassador to our organization.
• Please do not bring smoke bombs, flares etc. as this is illegal in the City of Tuwkila and is warrant for arrest.
• Please travel in groups if you can.  If there is an incident please do not intervene.  Find a police officer, Starfire security guard, or Sounders FC staff member.
• If it there is an incident with a Gorilla FC member or members please find a Gorilla FC Captain:  Kevin Zelko, Katie Pendleton, Kjell Hansen, or Jason Young.

PORTLAND TIMBERS GAME:

• For the Portland game, the Timbers Army have around 350 ticket holders coming separately, and 2 buses of about 150 arriving at or around 5:30-6 pm.
• Security will be ushering the 150 Timbers Army bus members to their gate, and ushering the 350 separate fans as best they can.  They will have plenty of signage directing each group to their areas.
• After the game Seattle supporters should exit the stadium.  TA fans will be held in their area for about 20 minutes until most of the SSFC supporters have cleared.

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS GAME:

• For the Vancouver game, the Southsiders will have a bus (possibly two) coming on Sunday.  Arrival time and number of buses is TBD.
• Security will be ushering the Southsiders to their gate, and other fans coming separately as best they can.
• After the game Seattle supporters should exit the stadium.  Southsider fans will be held in their area for 20 minutes until most of the SSFC supporters have cleared.

Parking is limited so please carpool if you can, $10 at Starfire and $5 off-site.  Looking forward to seeing my Sounders family this weekend and pre partying at Whitehorse!  SCARVES UP SEATTLE!

Katie Pendleton

GFC Development Director

Gorilla FC will watch at Summit Public House
Saturday, 05/15/10, 4:30 PM vs Harrison, NJ

GFC Scarf wearers get dscounts on drinks, and pizza shop next door (Toscana) gives $5 off for members.

Lets cheer on the Sounders in the rematch with New York!

Kevin is also doing his World Cup pool draw there so join : http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=103956316315103

As soccer continues to grow in the North American continent, it is imperative that each of us take responsibility in ensuring the diverse heritage and culture of the sport continues.

Our campaign http://theredcardna.org/campaign.shtml has the following aims in mind:

• Increase players, management, and supporters’ understanding of the inclusive heritage and diverse culture of soccer in North America.
• To promote young people’s participation as active and responsible citizens in a growing multi-racial and diverse society.
• Provide tools and resources for management, supporters, and players to respond to bigotry in positive ways.
• Harness the high profile of top soccer players as role models to grab the interests of and educate the larger community on issues of inclusion and opportunity.
• Involvement of the leagues and/or teams to adopt anti-racism measures and inclusion of policies and practices, both on the field and in the stands.
• Providing team and league management the tools and framework to be able to swiftly deal with incidents of racist abuse and insults in a uniform manner.
• Showcase the unique strength of soccer in North America due in part to its diversity.

For more information, check out:  http://theredcardna.org/index.shtml

Generation Adidas star, Sounders FC midfielder and MLS 2009 1st round draft pick Steve Zakuani and defensive star James Riley and friends, will be signing autographs and taking pictures to raise money for Haiti. There is a suggested donation of $5 for autographs.  There will be 8X10′s donated by the Sounders of Steve and James to the first 100 donations of $5.   George & Dragon will also be collecting a $5 suggested door fee with all proceeds going to Haiti. Gorilla FC will be raffling autographed Sounders FC gear, used Zakuani shoes,  used Ianni shoes, autographed jersey’s,   gift certificates to Fado and Vita Coffee with more  items to come.  Also up for auction is the URL rights to www.soundersfcsoccer.com    Raffle tickets are $5 per ticket with all money going to Haiti.  Steve Zakuani and James Riley will be at the event around 7pm.

All proceeds will benefit Doctors Without Borders.  If you can’t make it, please donate at:  http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news/country.cfm?id=2323

We had an anonymous donation to match what we raise.  Let’s reach our goal of $2500, to turn our donation amount into $5000!

George & Dragon will be showing the USA vs Honduras game starting at 6pm.

Saturday, January 23, 2010
5:30 – 8:30 pm

21+ and up event

George & Dragon
206 N. 36th Street
Seattle, WA 98103
P 206.545.6864

There is another benefit for Haiti at The Atlantic Crossing put on by ECS.  They will also be watching the USA game and have a raffle with Sounders items.   See http://www.weareecs.com for info.

Photo – Copyright © 2009 ScottMaira.com