Saturday is a big day, and, as with any derby match, emotions will be running high. We cannot directly control what happens on the pitch, but we can control what happens in the terraces.

One of the biggest areas of contention within the TA the past few years has related to seat saving. The Timbers Army has a very simple guideline on this: You can save one seat for yourself, and one for a mate. You need 6 seats for your crew? Great - make sure 3 of you are in there to save the 3 extra seats.

When someone strolls in and empties a backpack full of No Pity scarves they're disrespecting their fellow supporters. No single issue causes more problems in the North End than egregious seat saving.

Don't do it.

Don't be an asshat - It really is that simple.

But, what do you do if you see someone putting themselves above everyone else in the section and saving a swath of seats? Take the time to educate them - explain the 1 Scarf and 1 Seat ethos. If they decide that they are going to be a certifiable asshat, then there isn't much you can do at that point. Shake your head, take a modicum of solace in knowing  that karma is a bitch sometimes, and find yourself another spot.

Realize that the only thing that will be accomplished by escalating the situation is the creation of a bunch of negative energy and anxiety. Do you really want to spend the next few hours pissed off at someone who is so self-involved that they don't give a shit about how you feel? It's literally like slamming your head against the wall - the wall doesn't really care, and you get a concussion.

In closing, let's work to make sure all of our energy is directed at supporting the boys at the pitch versus creating drama by acting like spoiled five year olds who feel they're entitled to behave in whatever way makes them feel the best.

One seat + one scarf.