SEATTLE - Thousands of fans are eager to see U.S. pro soccer's finest duking it out in our own backyard as Los Angeles and Salt Lake play in Seattle Sunday for the MLS Cup 2009 playoffs.
Many of the fans say the only thing missing on this stage: Seattle Sounders FC.
It's Seattle meets Hollywood meets, well, Utah, as the biggest game in US soccer kicks off the weeekend in the Emerald City and MLS Championship mania is in full swing all over town.
LA Galaxy forward Alan Gordon and Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Chris Seitz took turns tossing fish Friday at Pike Place Market.
The top of the Space Needle boasts the logos of both teams and Major League Soccer.
The silver MLS cup arrived by ferry earlier in the week.
And the Seattle Aquarium hosted the Friday night party for fans, players, and VIPs alike.
"It just shows the world, and at least the United States, that people support soccer or football right here in Seattle," said Dave Hunt, a Sounders FC season ticket holder.
"If there was one other team I'd play for in MLS, it would be Seattle, because of the fans," Beckham told KING 5.
The two teams face off at Qwest Field on Sunday, and local soccer fans say about the only thing missing from the excitement is the home team playing in the big game.
"Pity it's not the Sounders, but next year, you know?" said John Bayliss, who owns the George & Dragon Pub in Fremont.
Qwest Field chefs are cooking up specialty concession and restaurant items for each team, including the LA Galaxy Dog - a hot dog topped with two strips of applewood smoked bacon, nacho cheese sauce, red onion and diced tomatoes -- and the Real Salt Lake Burger -- topped with caramelized red onion jam, apple wood smoked bacon, blue cheese, and black cherry barbeque sauce.
Levy Restaurants Executive Chef Jon Severson created the hot dog to be reminiscent of Los Angeles hot dog stands, while it's counterpart is a Rocky Mountain-themed
Many season ticket holders say they will be neutral spectators to what they hope is a good game. But when push comes to shove --
"I'm going to root for the Galaxy," Bayliss said.
"Gotta go with the Galaxy," said Hunt.
"I'm going to root for Real Salt Lake," said James Martin, "just because I have a beef with the LA Galaxy."
Still, when more than 40,000 expected fans head to the stadium Sunday, you can be sure more than a few will be sporting Sounders blue and green, just like they have all year long.
"They'll be a Sounders presence despite the fact that we're not there," said fan Jason Smith.
"Blue cheese burger, little bit of a mountain theme there, you know, snow caps,"
The fervor has already won one of biggest names in soccer over -- David Beckham, who is sure to draw fans to Sunday's game.
