As Seattle Sounders FC continues its 2023 postseason, presented by Regence BlueShield, the Rave Green face off against FC Dallas in the winner-take-all third match of Round One of the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs this Friday (7:00 p.m. PT / Apple TV, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360 AM). Seattle and Dallas currently hold a game apiece in the best-of-three series and Friday’s match determines which club advances to the Western Conference Semifinals and one step closer to the MLS Cup title.
The club encourages fans to join Together As One for this important match. A wide variety of special matchday activities are planned to provide a festive and entertaining experience, so those attending should plan to arrive early to explore and enjoy all offerings.
Sounders FC also encourages fans to make themselves familiar with its updated Fan Code of Conduct ahead of the match, as the club seeks to prioritize public safety and make sure that all fans feel safe and welcomed at Lumen Field.
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. PT on Friday and fans wishing to take part in the Emerald City Supporters’ official March to Match are encouraged to join from Occidental Square Park, where the march departs at 6:00 p.m. PT on its way to Lumen Field.
Those attending the match may notice slight changes throughout the stadium, as Lumen Field undergoes updates to improve how fans navigate for games and events. This round of “Fanovation” includes new gate names, modernized signage and the addition of Lumen Field neighborhoods to assist with fans with finding what elements are located near their seats. Full information about these updates can be found here.
Fans should also take note of several important parking and entry considerations for Friday. The North Lot and Lumen Field Event Center Garage are open only to passholders (no parking available for single-match purchase). Additionally, the Northeast Gate (now Gate 1) is closed for this match; fans typically using that gate should utilize the North Gate (now Gate 2) and Northwest Gate (now Gate 3).
Outside of the Northwest Gate (now Gate 3) are several fun, interactive activities in which fans can participate ahead of the match, including stopping by the brightly wrapped Sounders FC Prius that marks the spot for Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
In the North Plaza (Plaza inside Gate 2), a matchday DJ adds to the atmosphere while fans can take photos with Sounders FC’s giant SEATTLE letters, which feature a “Together As One” playoffs-themed design.
In the Northwest Concourse (now Olympic Field Level), another special photo activation is in place, with fans able to take a photo that is added to a giant mosaic celebrating the “Together As One” theme.
Throughout the stadium, fans can explore and participate in a wide variety of other activities, which on Friday include:
• The Providence Challenge – Fans can test their soccer and mental skills through three different activities at The Providence Challenge, as well as having the opportunity to take the Providence Pledge to promise to better their mental health. All participating fans are entered to win an autographed Sounders FC jersey or a pair of tickets to an upcoming home match.
• Crossbar Challenge, Presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers – The first five fans to hit the crossbar in this interactive skills challenge earn a chance to take a kick on-field at halftime.
• \\ Protect the Net, Presented by American Family Insurance –** Fans can put their skills to the test in this virtual goalkeeping game for a chance to take home some co-branded swag.
• Sounders Penalty Kick – A digital activation where fans get five chances to score a goal against a virtual goalkeeper.
• Soccer Skee-ball – This activation allows fans to play a soccer-themed version of Skee-Ball, kicking a ball down a ramp, rather than rolling it, in order to score as many points as possible.
• Soccer Billiards – Fans can play a soccer-themed version of pool, challenging a partner and kicking colored soccer balls into the oversized pool table pockets before their opponent does.
• \\ RAVE 2026 Kick Experience –** Learn about RAVE Foundation’s 26 Fields by 2026 campaign and attempt to kick a soccer ball through a hole.
• FIFA Gaming Station – Challenge an opponent to a friendly match of FIFA ’23.
• Lumen Lens – This augmented reality photobooth places fans in photos with their favorite players.
• Sit & Soccer – A one-on-one table soccer game where fans attempt to outscore their opponent.
• Scarves Up! Photo Activation – Raise a scarf and recreate the club’s iconic matchday moment in this new photobooth.
• Sounders ‘Til I Die Instagram Wall – Themed photo opportunity for fans to grab the perfect social media shot.
Among the many gameday concessions available, guests can explore the continuation of Sounders FC’s BIPOC and diverse-owned food truck and pop-up restaurants, presented by First & Goal Inc. and Levy. Curated by Intentionalist, these local small businesses align with Sounders FC’s social impact and cultural calendar, giving fans the opportunity to discover new culinary delights with food trucks in Lumen Field’s North Plaza (Plaza inside Gate 2) and a pop-up restaurant location in Lumen Field’s PNW Marketplace concessions area, located in the east concourse outside of Section 113.
Food trucks on location this Friday include Zuri’s Gourmet Donutz, giving fans a chance for a sweet treat with a variety of unique doughnut flavors, MexiCuban, delivering a unique fusion of flavors, including signature Fluffy Tacos and Cuban sandwiches and Bai Tong on Wheels, serving Thai comfort food.
The PNW Marketplace features Native Soul Cuisine, offering up creative items like blue corn tamales, cedar-smoked salmon mac and cheese and Jamaican curry Navajo tacos created by chef Jeremy Thunderbird.
Fans should be in their seats early to take in all of Sounders FC’s traditional opening ceremony activities, include Boom, Boom, Clap and player lineup announcements.
Due to a conflict in schedules, Sounders FC PA announcer James Woolard is unavailable this Friday and his duties are being filled by Jef Lucero. Lucero is no stranger to professional sports, serving as PA announcer for the Seattle Storm since 2020, as well as University of Puget Sound men’s and women’s basketball programs for over a decade.
Friday’s national anthem is being performed by Sounders matchday regular Johnathan Wright, with the “Scarves Up!” moment led by former Sounder Román Torres, who secured the 2016 MLS Cup championship for Seattle with his successful conversion in the penalty shootout, in addition to playing a key role on the 2019 Cup-winning squad.
As a reminder to fans, MLS has adopted a new postseason format beginning in 2023. In Round One – a three-match series – every game has a winner; there are no ties and no aggregate score. If Friday’s match is tied at the end of regulation, no extra time is played and teams instead go straight to penalty kicks to determine the winner that advances to the Western Conference Semifinals, at which point all ensuing matches revert to single-elimination.
For further information regarding any of the activities mentioned here, please contact a member of Sounders FC Communications. To learn more about Sounders FC matchdays, health and safety and how to be prepared to attend a match, visit SoundersFC.com/Matchday/Know-Before-You-Go.
