Recorded crowd noise or no recorded crowd noise? That’s been a hot debate among soccer fans in the sport’s return to play in empty stadiums during the coronavirus pandemic.
That discussion, though, has mostly been about the broadcast — until now.
The Seattle Sounders will pipe in recorded crowd noise, songs and chants within CenturyLink Field so their games will at least have a familiar sound even if there won’t be any of the team’s famous support in the stands.
It won’t be the same thing, but it should at least replicate the sound of one of Major League Soccer’s best match day atmospheres.
This decision was made after consulting with players and coaches, who overwhelmingly wished for games at CenturyLink Field to feel as they are accustomed to.
"The Sounders crowd and home-field advantage is something we all appreciate and has been a source of pride for our club for many years," Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said in a statement. "Although I fully understand there is no substitute for real fans in the building, I prefer some background cheering and reminders of our crowd, as it may help our players in an already challenging time. I hope that some familiar banners and flags, combined with the right amount of background atmosphere, will help the players feel at home.”
Crowd noise, piped in via the external PA system, will be picked up by the broadcast microphones, allowing fans to hear the noise over both television and radio broadcasts.
For Sounders road broadcasts, the club will not add crowd noise to the “world feed” broadcast, leaving it up to the discretion of the home team.
