—by Garrett Dittfurth

Hi there,

Personal note to everyone out there with the moral outrage on social media over the fact the Timbers Army was chanting PTFC during the Honduras national anthem. Normally I wouldn't bother but there is a really large portion of you out there with moral outrage. I just wanted to make some things pretty clear.

#1 The Timbers FO played a recorded version of the Honduras national anthem. Here it is so you can hear what they played. It's not exactly the 1812 Overture finale. It is a beautiful and quiet composition. I sat in section 96 over on the other side of the field from the Timbers Army for this match. It wasn't played loudly. Even if they had the volume way up from normal it just isn't going to come in at high levels.

#2 At a regular match the teams come out and stand for the national anthems. They didn't do that for this. When you can't hear announcements, like in the north end of the stadium because the crowd noise is too loud, it makes it a little tough to know what is going on.

#3 Did you know they turn the speakers off in the North End of the stadium where the Timbers Army is? That's because nobody in the North End needs piped in noise to create atmosphere. They were creating the atmosphere themselves. That's why they were chanting PTFC well before the Honduras national anthem and only quieted down when they heard something they recognized. No disrespect was meant. NOBODY HEARD IT BEING ANNOUNCED.

#4 I respect the national anthem of the United States as much as I respect the national anthem of Bulgaria or the Federated States of Micronesia. I also respect people that don't have respect for that. They don't have to rise for the national anthem, take their hats off or put their hands over their hearts. We live in a free country, folks. If you think that stuff is required I hear North Korea will take you in.

#5 Please get over it. The Timbers Army would have shut up had they known what was going on. There are bigger things to let your moral outrage loose on via social media. The fact that 4,500 people were chanting their brains out and didn't hear an announcement that was made when they don't have sound turned on in their section at a time that was out of the ordinary isn't a good reason to rage yourself to death on twitter about how there is a lack of class and disrespect.

Celebrate a great home win in our little club's MLS history like the rest of us. We're looking good to advance in the group stage with this win. If we pummel Alpha United next Tuesday it will be even an even better chance that might make that trip to Tegucigalpa for the rematch against CD Olimpia a snoozer rather than worrying about advancing.