Seattle Sounders FC today announced activities surrounding the club’s annual Fan Appreciation Day match, presented by Socios.com, taking place this Sunday against the San Jose Earthquakes (2:00 p.m. PT / FOX 13+, Univision-Seattle, Prime Video, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM). As the Rave Green conclude their 2022 campaign, they are saying thank you to the loyal fans and supporters that helped the club make history this year, becoming the first-ever MLS team to win Concacaf Champions League, and follow Sounders FC through thick and thin.
With continued Washington State Department of Transportation Revive I-5 work taking place this weekend, fans and media are encouraged to arrive early to Lumen Field to avoid increased traffic closer to kickoff.
Outside of the stadium, fans can look forward to SoundCheck in Occidental Square Park. This public pre-match event is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. PT. Fans can stop by the park to enjoy a party atmosphere with games, Sounders trivia and prizes and a special performance by Chris Eger.
The Emerald City Supporters’ March to the Match then departs Occidental Square Park at 1:00 p.m. PT on its way to Lumen Field.
Outside of the northwest gates, Western Washington Toyota Dealers is also onsite with a vehicle display and handing out free clear bags to fans.
Inside gates in the Lumen Field North Plaza, artist Shaina Shepherd is entertaining with a special pre-match performance from 1:00-2:00 p.m. PT.
The North Plaza, Northwest Marshalling and West Concourse of the stadium are also where fans can find a selection of interactive games and activities, including:
• Pose with a Pro – An augmented reality experience that allows fans to have a virtual meeting with their favorite Sounders FC player, alongside a digital video of their encounter to share online.
• 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.
Fans can also play Fan Appreciation Plinko at Sunday’s game, where participants have the chance to win a variety of Sounders FC prizes.
The featured North Plaza food trucks on Sunday are Off the Rez – Seattle’s first Native food truck, serving traditional Blackfeet fry bread and other delicious fare – and Now Make Me A Sandwich – a Latino-owned food truck offering a variety of sandwiches inspired by cuisine from all over the world. Sourced in partnership with Intentionalist, these trucks support local diverse-owned small businesses.
Outside of Section 113 in the East Concourse, more special treats are available at Lumen Field’s PNW Marketplace concessions area, where the featured pop-up is Native Soul Cuisine, a Native-owned restaurant featuring creative items like blue corn tamales, cedar-smoked salmon mac and cheese and Jamaican curry Navajo tacos.
Sounders FC continues its partnership with the Burke Museum ahead of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, celebrated on October 10, and Native American Heritage Month, which is recognized throughout November. On Sunday, fans can interact with Living Traditions: Native American Cultures of the Pacific Northwest, a free BurkeMobile exhibit from the Burke Museum.
Located on the University of Washington campus, the Burke Museum is the Washington state museum responsible for maintaining state collections of natural history and cultural heritage. The relationships maintained between communities and the Burke Museum preserve the ingenuity, creativity, science and complex knowledge of natural and cultural resources. Tribes and community members are the experts in these areas, and those at the Burke Museum are the caretakers. Changing patterns of cultural dominance means actively involving communities in every aspect of its work, and the Burke Museum recognizes its colonial legacy and dedicates itself to learning from communities and building a more ethical and collaborative future together.
During the pre-match period, the Rave Green are honoring their 2022 Humanitarians of the Year. These awards recognize individuals from the Sounders FC family who make a positive impact in their communities, using soccer as a tool to act in support of inclusion, tolerance and justice. The Humanitarian of the Year recipients include honorees from Sounders FC First Team, Tacoma Defiance, Sounders FC Academy and Washington Youth Soccer. Season Ticket Members were able to vote to select the First Team, Defiance and Academy recipients as part of the Sounders Ballot. All honorees will be revealed at the match on Sunday.
Messages of gratitude from Sounders FC players to the fan base will be played on the Lumen Field video boards during the pre-match, halftime and post-match periods, with a special season recap and fan appreciation video ahead of kickoff.
The national anthem is being performed by Jonathan Wright, while the club’s “Scarves Up!” pre-match moment is being led by Lyndsey Hallgren, Sounders FC Fan of the Year winner.
At halftime, WaFd Bank is presenting $25,000 to RAVE Foundation for its annual Saves For Youth program, which donates $250 for every Sounders FC save over the course of the season.
Throughout the match, a number of exciting giveaways for fans are also scheduled to take place, including:
• 250 co-branded blankets, courtesy of Zulily
• 100 $5 Starbucks gift cards, courtesy of Starbucks
• 100 ExtraMile loyalty cards and cooling towels, courtesy of ExtraMile
• 10 $100 MLS Store gift cards, courtesy of Socios.com
• Nine University of Washington prize packs, each containing four tickets to a selected UW football game, one UW scarf and one UW / Starbucks tumbler, courtesy of the University of Washington
• Five Stefan Frei autographed throwback hats, courtesy of WaFd Bank
• Two sets of Continental tires, courtesy of Continental Tire
• One Coca-Cola branded giant Jenga set, courtesy of Coca-Cola
• One Coca-Cola branded cornhole set, courtesy of Coca-Cola
• QR code for all fans for $5 off a haircut, courtesy of Great Clips
A variety of additional prizes - including everything from autographed gear, flags and posters to pairs of the limited-edition Sounders FC adidas Ultraboost x COPA shoes to 2023 away match trip experiences – are scheduled to be given away to fans throughout the stadium over the course of the match. Select lucky fans will also win match-worn jerseys from the day’s game.
At the conclusion of the game, Sounders FC players and coaches thank fans for their support with the traditional sharing of carnations and soccer balls, and Head Coach Brian Schmetzer will address the crowd.
Before leaving Lumen Field, all fans can take photos at a giant Thank You Fans carnation photo wall.
Season Ticket Members can also partake in the post-match Alliance Member Garage Sale. This year’s sale is taking place in the Southwest Field Plaza. The popular event gives Season Ticket Members the opportunity to buy exclusive Sounders FC gear, ranging from jerseys to training gear to promotional items, with some pieces not available in stores or to the general public. Items are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to three per Member. All proceeds from the Alliance Member Garage benefit RAVE Foundation.
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.
