Puget Sound region supports Sounders FC as team looks to bring back-to-back championships to Seattle

Building upon the excitement exhibited throughout the Puget Sound region during this club’s current postseason run, Sounders FC today announced a number of continuing civic activations scheduled to take place leading up to the 2017 MLS Cup, where Seattle faces Toronto FC in a rematch of last year’s title victory.

Even as the club goes on the road to battle the Reds, the Seattle area remains engaged, as a wide variety of community institutions are once again joining with Sounders FC to spread excitement and pride.

Said Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan: “Seattle is rooting for our Sounders as they seek to repeat as MLS Cup Champions and bring our Cup back home. All season long, they have shown the kind of grit, teamwork and passion that make us proud, as we know they will make us proud on Saturday in Toronto. Go Sounders and defend our Cup!”

GOVERNMENT ACTIVATIONS

• Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and Toronto Mayor John Tory are finalizing details surrounding a friendly intercity wager, which will be announced by the Mayor’s office later today.  Media may direct questions to Communications Director Stephanie Formas at stephanie.formas@seattle.gov or 206-247-0475.
  
• Seattle City Hall is hoisting a Sounders FC flag at 9 AM on Friday, December 8. The flag raising is hosted by Mayor Jenny Durkan.
  
  Media interested in covering the event should gather at the plaza at Seattle City Hall located on the 4^th Avenue side of the building.
  
• The King County Administration Building is flying a Sounders FC flag at noon on Friday, December 8. The flag raising is hosted by King County Deputy Executive Fred Jarrett.
  
  Media interested in covering the event should meet at the King County Administration Building on the west side of the Plaza, located at 500 Fourth Avenue and accessible from either James Street or Jefferson Street.

COMMUNITY ACTIVATIONS

• Pike Place Market, one of Seattle’s most iconic and well-trafficked locations proudly displays its support for Sounders FC as Market celebrities Rachel the Piggy Bank and her cousin Billie the Piggy Bank dress in Sounders FC scarves on Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10.
  
  Sounders fans are encouraged to help bring good fortune to their boys in Rave Green by stopping in to take advantage of the area legend that promises luck to those who rub the snouts of the Piggy Banks and make a donation.
  
  All donations to Rachel and Billie help support social services in Pike Place Market, so fans can give to a good cause while bringing luck to Sounders FC and capturing one-of-a-kind Seattle photographs.
  
  Rachel is located at the main Market entrance, in front of Pike Place Fish Market, while Billie watches over the new MarketFront expansion area.
  
• Starbucks supports longtime partner Sounders FC in the team’s quest to bring home a second championship by flying a giant Sounders FC flag atop their global headquarters starting on Friday, December 8.
  

• Washington State Ferries traveling into and out of Seattle’s Colman Dock on Friday, December 8 and Saturday, December 9 are flying Sounders FC flags to support the team in its battle for a second MLS Cup.
  
• Woodland Park Zoo and Seattle Aquarium each continue their support of the Rave Green with resident of both land and sea checking in throughout the week to provide social support via @woodlandparkzoo and @seattleaquarium.

LIGHTING ACTIVATIONS

• The Space Needle shines Rave Green on Friday, December 8 and Saturday, December 9.
  
• The Russell Investments Center, through building owner CommonWealth Partners, once more lights up the city’s waterfront with its special Sounders FC-themed lighting on the evenings of Friday, December 8 and Saturday, December 9.
  
  The building debuted the Sounders design during this season’s playoffs run and will again display the special “Born In ‘74” tribute for MLS Cup, complete with an 18-story “74” shining brightly in the windows along its west façade. The display should be fully visible each night by 6:30 p.m. PT.
  
• The State Route 520 bridge is scheduled to light its sentinels Rave Green on Friday, December 8 and Saturday, December 9.
  
• The Columbia Center adds green to the Seattle skyline in support of its hometown soccer team on Friday, December 8 and Saturday, December 9.
  
• The Seattle Great Wheel once again puts on its special Sounders FC lightshows on Friday, December 8 and Saturday, December 9.
  
• CenturyLink Field and its recognizable arches are scheduled to light Rave Green on Friday, December 8 and Saturday, December 9.
  
• Cheney Stadium, home of the Tacoma Rainiers and Sounders FC’s USL side, S2, will run a special message on its marquee located off of Highway 16, as well as lighting the stadium green on Friday, December 8 and Saturday, December 9.

Following a 5-0 aggregate win over the Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference Championship, Sounders FC is set to face Toronto FC in the MLS Cup Final for the second consecutive year. Sounders FC won its first MLS Cup last season over the Reds at BMO Field via penalty kicks after 120 minutes of scoreless play.

Toronto FC completed a record campaign this year, breaking the MLS record with 69 points and defeating the New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew SC to once again host the championship, which is being played on Saturday, December 9 (1:00 p.m. PT / ESPN, ESPN Deportes, UniMás, TSN, TVA Sports, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM).

MLS Cup is a winner-take-all match hosted by the team with the most regular-season points. Away goals are not weighted and, given a tie at the end of regulation play, the teams play two 15-minute periods of extra time that is followed by penalty kicks, if necessary, to determine the winner.