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Originally published May 21, 2009 at 12:00 AM | Page modified May 21, 2009 at 2:05 PM

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Sounders FC's James Riley matches $100 assist from fans

Sounders FC fans collected money to help defender James Riley pay a $100 fine, and their kindness has turned into a $200 donation to a local Boys & Girls Club.

By José Miguel Romero

Seattle Times staff reporter

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TUKWILA — James Riley doesn't have a goal this season, but he does have a very heartwarming assist.

The Sounders FC defender, with the help of the Emerald City Supporters (ECS) — a group of fans who lead cheers during games at Qwest Field — is donating $200 to the Skyway Boys & Girls Club of Renton.

One hundred dollars are Riley's money. The other $100 is from fans who gave Riley a sack of dollar bills to pay a fine he received from Major League Soccer for actions that led to a yellow card against the Chicago Fire on May 2.

Riley said the ECS took up the collection to pay the $100 fine because the fans were happy to see Riley, whose physical style has endeared him to Seattle fans, sticking up for a teammate.

The following week against the Los Angeles Galaxy, Riley was issued a red card and ejected for contact with an opposing player. Fans knew another fine would be handed down, so they stepped up. ECS members wanted to give Riley the bag of money in person, but Riley wasn't on the field to accept it after the game. They managed to get him the money anyway.

The fans' gesture is further evidence of the bond Sounders FC players have formed with their supporters.

"I would say that players have endeared themselves to our fans," said Bart Wiley, Sounders FC director of business development who works closely with ECS. "And our fans appreciate the passion the players play with."

Said Riley, "It's going to be like a Riley-ECS donation. I definitely applauded them and thanked them for that idea, but I'm not going to accept it and it's definitely going to go to good use."

Riley said MLS teams try to help pay league fines, but the money typically comes out of a player's salary.

Riley, whose Chicago fine was for "showing a lack of respect for the game" in MLS official language, plans to volunteer at the Skyway branch this summer.

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company

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