Portland Timbers fans' 'chillingly inspiring' National Anthem performance
Oregon soccer fans show their love of their team, and their country, with a fired-up rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner"

The video: Why pay pop stars to bungle the National Anthem (ahem, Aguilera) when the fans themselves can ace it? Last Thursday, at the Portland Timbers first-ever Major League Soccer game, some 17,000 fans, led by a group of the most enthusiastic, known as the Timbers Army, all joined together and sang the "Star Spangled Banner" in the rain. On their feet, pumping their fists, and waving Timbers scarves, they gave a rousing performance of the notoriously tricky tune that's being called "chillingly inspiring." (See for yourself below.)
The reaction: This is "an awesome rendition of the 'Star Spangled Banner,'" says SGTdopushups at BuzzFeed. Yeah, "17,000 plus singing it in the rain... whether you are a soccer fan or not, you have to be impressed," says A. Isaac at Guyism. Indeed, "one of the things I love about the MLS is that they've managed to import the European tradition of rabid fan support, minus the hooliganism," says Rick Chandler at NBC Sports. Watch it:
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Giorgio Armani obituary: designer revolutionised the business of fashion
In the Spotlight ‘King Giorgio’ came from humble beginnings to become a titan of the fashion industry and redefine 20th century clothing
-
Kim Jong Un’s triumph: the rise and rise of North Korea’s dictator
In the Spotlight North Korean leader has strengthened ties with Russia and China, and recently revealed his ‘respected child’ to the world
-
Crossword: September 13, 2025
The Week's daily crossword puzzle