As part of the 50th Anniversary season celebration, the Seattle Sounders will honor former player Peter Hattrup at Saturday afternoon’s home match against the Colorado Rapids (12:30 p.m. PT; Watch FREE on Apple TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360AM | TICKETS).
Born and raised in Seattle, Hattrup’s love for the Sounders spans all the way back to the club’s inception in the North American Soccer League.
“It’s kind of a lifelong experience,” Hattrup told SoundersFC.com. “I started as a 10-year-old kid going to the first games in 1974. Then I became a season ticket holder. And then in the mid 90’s when the Sounders came back, I played for them… It’s been a part of my life for 50 years.”
A graduate of Seattle Prep High School, Hattrup went on to star for Seattle Pacific University, scoring 51 goals across four seasons in college. He then played for the Tacoma Stars and Seattle Stars before embarking on a nomadic career in the indoor game, tallying 146 goals in the American Indoor Soccer Association.
Hattrup came back to play for the Sounders when the club returned and joined the APSL in 1994. One year later, he helped his hometown team win the league championship, notching 11 goals and 8 assists as he earned league MVP, Best XI and Golden Boot honors.
Hattrup is fond of how the Sounders’ success was fueled by a core of local players like Marcus Hahnemann, Chance Fry, Wade Webber and Billy Crook. All of them were motivated to make a mark with the club they grew up supporting.
“When we came back in the mid 90’s, most of the team was from here,” said Hattrup. “We grew up Sounders fans, and to be able to come back and play in our hometown, winning a championship in 1995, was a great experience. We had to do a lot of traveling and jumping around leagues and teams as they folded to try and keep playing for a living. To finally come home and do it was great. To see how it’s blossomed since then has been amazing.”
Following a spell in MLS with the Dallas Burn and Tampa Bay Mutiny, Hattrup returned to the Sounders for two more stints from 1997-99 and in 2001, where he served as a player and assistant coach. Since retiring from professional soccer, he has dedicated his career to coaching in the local youth game, working with clubs like Crossfire and Valor Soccer Club.
Fifty years after first attending a Sounders match at the Kingdome, the Sounders still hold a special place in Hattrup’s heart.
“I think a lot of it is that feeling of family and tradition,” he said. “It’s being part of the community and having that never-say-die attitude and always expecting excellence. It’s been huge for the Sounders ever since Jimmy McAllister came to my school when I was a kid. Players are still giving back in the community, which is great.”
Hattrup’s lifelong journey with the club came full circle in 2009 when he once again became a season ticket holder as the club joined Major League Soccer. He still watches all the games and feels the connection between the team and the community. In particular, he has enjoyed watching the team’s success on a global stage fueled by local players, just like that 1995 squad.
“It’s the whole group, but it’s great to see local guys like Jordan Morris and Jackson Ragen come through,” said Hattrup. “We’ve always thought that Seattle players are good enough, going back to when Jimmy McAlister signed. To now see these guys come though and make it on such a big stage is just fantastic.”
Hattrup will be available for a meet and greet with Sounders fans in Olympic Hall at Lumen Field on Saturday starting at 11:30 a.m. PT. He will be honored as the Born in 74 Sounders Legend during the pre-match ceremonies ahead of kickoff.
