This Sunday, May 29, as Sounders FC takes on expansion side Charlotte FC in a nationally televised matchup on FS1 (6:30 p.m. / Sirius XM, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360 AM), the Rave Green are celebrating the commitment to Protect Our Planet, one of the four pillars of the club’s social justice framework, with a variety of pre-match activities for fans themed toward environmental responsibility and justice. Fans are encouraged to plan for possible extended travel times, with a busy day in SoDo that features OL Reign at Lumen Field at 12:00 p.m. PT and the Mariners at T-Mobile Park at 1:10 p.m. PT.
Additionally, as announced yesterday, the club is also using Sunday’s match to bring awareness to the upcoming National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend, which is taking place on June 3-5. More information about these plans and the collective pledge of Seattle sports teams to use their platforms to push forward positive change and work to end gun violence can be found here.
As an organization, Sounders FC is dedicated to environmental causes. In 2019, the club became the first carbon neutral professional soccer team in North America and first carbon neutral professional sports team in the United States, with an ongoing commitment to reduce the carbon footprint when possible and measuring and offsetting emissions that remain. The Rave Green also continually collaborate with community partners to educate youth most affected by environmental injustice and empower them to improve community health outcomes.
At Sunday’s match, one of the most noticeable features celebrating the environment is the kits fans will see players wearing. This weekend, all MLS clubs are wearing adidas Primeblue jerseys, as part of a continuing partnership between MLS and adidas to raise awareness and inspire action surrounding the impact of marine plastic waste. The uniforms are made from plastics intercepted from beaches, coastal communities and shorelines, preventing them from polluting the ocean. Once collected, the original plastic source is reworked into technical fibers that can then be repurposed for use in either apparel or footwear. The high-performance yarn features more than 50% Parley Ocean Plastic™ on each jersey.
The unique Primeblue kits are available for purchase at MLSstore.com and through the Sounders FC Pro Shop at Lumen Field. A matching scarf is also available at the Pro Shop this Sunday while supplies last.
Sounders FC encourages fans to utilize alternate forms of transportation when attending matches, including public transit and cycling. For those arriving by bicycle, the team – in conjunction with Cascade Bicycle Club – is offering a complimentary bike valet program that kicks off on Sunday and continues throughout the summer at select matches. Bicycles can be parked with the bike valet located on Occidental Avenue near the north parking lot of the stadium starting two hours before kickoff and must be claimed no later than one hour after the final whistle.
Once in the stadium, fans can explore the intersection of environmental justice and fighting racism through a mobile pop-up exhibit, courtesy of Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience. The exhibit – available for viewing in the northwest concourse – uncovers the history of redlining and its ongoing confluence of interconnected factors that have plagued people of color and the history of response that has shaped Seattle. It also explores the powerful environmental justice work being done in BIPOC communities, stressing the need for collaborative systemic transformation.
Also located in the northwest concourse, Sounders FC community partners Forterra, EarthGen and the Washington State Department of Ecology are all scheduled to have an on-site presence to interact with and educate fans on the important environmental work of each organization.
On the west concourse, those attending the match are also invited to join former Sounders Steve Zakuani and Brad Evans for a live recording of the pair’s “Side x Side with Zak & Brad” podcast. Zakuani and Evans will take questions from the audience and offer insights on the upcoming match.
Additionally, former Sounder and United States Men’s National Team legend Clint Dempsey is being honored on Sunday, with the club set to recognize the former Rave Green forward prior to the match for his recent induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
In continuation of the Rave Green’s AANHPI Heritage Month celebrations, the club also encourages fans to visit a special matchday pop-up location for Phnom Penh Noodle House, located in the PNW Marketplace concessions area outside of Section 113 on the east concourse.
Sounders FC and Intentionalist have teamed together to share the story behind one BIPOC or minority-owned business each month, as part of a collaboration on the team’s 2022 schedule release.
Owned by three sisters – Dawn Ung, Diane Le and Darlene Ung – Phnom Penh Noodle House has a strong community and a robust following for its flavorful Cambodian food. Fans can learn more about this International District treasure here, and can also support the restaurant by ordering takeout or dining in from 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. PT (closed Wednesdays). Gift certificates are also available through Intentionalist.
Those at the match are also reminded that any purchases from Phnom Penh Noodle House qualify for the previously announced Receipt & Receive program with Intentionalist. Through the month of May, those visiting AANHPI-owned small businesses and restaurants can upload their receipts on Intentionalist.com to be entered to win prizes from Sounders FC and other Seattle sports teams.
Featured food trucks in the North Plaza, sourced in partnership with Intentionalist, support local diverse-owned small businesses and this Sunday include Seoul Bowl – preparing healthy, fresh, colorful and delicious Korean barbeque bowls – and Bai Tong on Wheels – offering authentic Thai comfort food.
Immediately before kickoff, Sounders FC’s “Scarves Up!” moment is being led by EarthGen Executive Director Meredith Lohr. Co-founded by Lohr in 2011, EarthGen equips youth, teachers and schools across Washington State to take action for a healthy climate. With support from EarthGen, thousands of young people from diverse communities across the state learn to protect the planet, starting in their own schools and neighborhoods. Sounders FC and EarthGen are proud to have partnered together since 2012, including collaborating on 15 community-centered environmental projects at schools thus far.
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.
