Sounders FC closes out its 2019 regular season this Sunday with a Decision Day matchup against Minnesota United FC at CenturyLink Field (1:00 p.m. PT / JOEtv, Univision-Seattle, YouTube TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM). Fans are encouraged to arrive early to take advantage of the wide array of Fan Appreciation Day activities occurring before and throughout the important match.
In the morning prior to the match, Sounders FC, in conjunction with Emerald City Supporters and La Barra Fuerza Verde, is hosting a Know Your Rights Workshop led by Northwest Immigrant Rights Project in The NINETY from 9:30-11:00 a.m. PT. The workshop is open to the public and is designed to help make attendees aware of their rights when interacting with various law enforcement officials and officers.
Additionally, at The NINETY from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. PT, fans can try their hand against Sounders FC gamer Nick Mars, who will be stationed playing the newly released FIFA 20.
Gates open at 11:30 a.m. PT, with the first 20,000 fans at the stadium receiving a Best XI poster. Drawn by Seattle artist and Alliance Member Keegan Hall, the poster features the 11 players from Sounders FC history voted by fans, media members and club representatives earlier this summer as the team’s all-time Best XI. As an added bonus, 100 random posters will be co-signed by both Hall and either Nicolás Lodeiro, Cristian Roldan or Stefan Frei, the three active Sounders featured in the Best XI. Hall will also be available in Soccer Celebration from 12:00-1:00 p.m. PT to sign posters for fans.
For fans who are unable to obtain a poster in person at the game, a print of Hall’s work can be purchased as this week’s Posters by the People matchday poster through Museum Quality Framing.
The Pro Shop is featuring a number of sales, and, with each purchase, fans 18 or older can receive a copy of the special edition “Sounders & Dogs” 2020 calendar, which features photos of players with dogs and seasonal props. The calendar was produced in partnership with Washington Lottery, bringing the dream of one Sounders fan to life. The calendar is available as a free gift with any purchase on October 6, with a limit of one per transaction while supplies last.
Pre-match, ahead of player warmups, Sounders FC is honoring its 2019 Community Heroes presented by CHI Franciscan. The Sounders FC Community Heroes award collaborates with CHI Franciscan to recognize individuals from the Sounders FC family who volunteer and make an impact in their community, displaying Sounders FC values of ambition, innovation and collaboration. At Sunday’s match, Community Heroes to be honored include: Stefan Frei, Sounders FC First Team; Josh Atencio, Tacoma Defiance; Krubelle Tesfaye, Sounders FC Academy; Parker Jones, Sounders FC Youth Club Partner, Age 13-18; JP Knecht, Sounders FC Youth Club Partner, Age 12 and Under; and Shelle Brihn, Sounders FC fan.
Before kickoff, former Sounders FC defender Brad Evans is set to receive the Joe Roth Golden Scarf, the club’s highest honor, in recognition of his work in the Seattle community and his leadership on the field during his time as a player.
Previously simply referred to as the Golden Scarf, the award has been renamed to recognize Joe Roth, an original Sounders FC owner, and his significant contributions to bringing MLS to Seattle and growing the club as a major league franchise.
Evans, a member of Sounders FC’s inaugural MLS roster who played for the club from 2009-2017, is also leading the crowd in the “Scarves Up!” moment preceding kickoff.
At halftime, WaFd Bank is presenting a $25,000 check to RAVE Foundation through its Saves for Youth campaign, which donates $250 for each Sounders FC save during the season. The funds assist RAVE Foundation in its mission of building small, accessible soccer fields in urban areas to provide free play.
Virginia Mason’s Wins for Cures program also wraps up on Sunday, culminating with a $15,000 donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, with $1,000 donated by Virginia Mason for each Sounders FC win during the regular season.
A number of exciting giveaways for fans are also scheduled to take place throughout the game, including:
- 35 Alcatel 3T8 Tablets
- Nine pairs of adidas cleats, autographed by Sounders FC players
- Over 30 team and player-signed adidas soccer balls
- 24 Sounders FC throwback hats, each autographed by Stefan Frei
- 200 “Sounders & Dogs” 2020 calendars
- 150 Sounders FC 2019 Rave Green authentic jerseys, courtesy of Zulily
- 25 Sounders FC 2019 Rave Green authentic jerseys, a number team-signed and a number signed individually by either Cristian Roldan, Jordan Morris, Nicolás Lodeiro or Raúl Ruidíaz , courtesy of Zulily
- 300 two-week free trials of YouTube TV
- Four tickets to the University of Washington vs. Utah football game on November 2
- Four tickets to a mutually agreed upon 2020 Seattle Mariners game
- Concession vouchers provided to one lucky section
In addition, all fans have the opportunity to receive25% off frames for their Best XI giveaway poster from Museum Quality Framing using the code SFCFANS19 through October 31.
During the post-match ceremony, players thank fans with the traditional sharing of carnations and soccer balls. One special fan will also be honored with the presentation of the MatchPass Fan of the Year Award. This is the seventh season that Sounders FC has honored a Season Member with the coveted title. The recipient receives a trip for two to a 2020 road match.
The opportunities for fans don’t end once the match has concluded, however. Season Members can once again take part in a Season Member Garage Sale in The NINETY postgame, where they have the opportunity to buy exclusive Sounders FC items ranging from jerseys to training gear to promotional items. All proceeds benefit the RAVE Foundation. Items are available on a first come, first served basis and are limited to three per Member.
While Sounders FC has clinched a spot in the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs, the results from Sunday’s match and matches across the conference will determine final playoff seeding and opponent. Should the club host a home playoff match, on-sale information for single-match tickets will be shared following Sunday’s game once a date and time is secured.
