SEATTLE, WASH. – As Seattle Sounders FC prepares to host the opening leg of the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Championship against the Colorado Rapids on Tuesday evening, the club is informing its fans about a wide array of activities taking place before and during the pivotal showdown at CenturyLink Field.
ENHANCED MARCH TO THE MATCH CELEBRATION
One of Sounders FC’s most beloved traditions, the pregame March to the Match, is receiving some special enhancements to keep the Sounders spirit flowing throughout the day.
The March festivities are scheduled to begin at noon in Occidental Park, where fans of the Rave Green can receive free dessert if they are wearing team gear, compliments of popular food truck Off the Rez. Live music and ticket giveaways highlight the afternoon excitement.
Later in the day, from 5:00 – 5:45 p.m. PT, popular Seattle-area band Pickwick is performing a free concert at the park ahead of the crowd’s traditional singing, chanting and marching to the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.
The March itself, one of the best traditions in American sports started by the Emerald City Supporters, departs from Occidental Park at 6:00 p.m. PT for CenturyLink Field.
SPECIAL NATIONAL ANTHEM PERFORMER
Fans in attendance can look forward to hearing a special presentation of “The Star-Spangled Banner” to kick-off the match, as beloved Seattle figure Mike McCready performs the anthem for the crowd.
McCready is one of the founding members and longtime guitarist of Pearl Jam – one of the most iconic rock bands of the past 30 years. He is currently touring with Temple of Dog as the band closes out its travel with sold-out shows at the Paramount Theater yesterday and today.
McCready’s performance on Tuesday is set to raise awareness for Treehouse for Kids, a Seattle-based organization that provides academic and other essential support for more than 7,000 youth in foster care across Washington State each year.
HALFTIME CHECK PRESENTATIONS
Launched earlier this summer, RAVE Foundation serves as the official philanthropic arm of Sounders FC and is dedicated to using soccer as a vehicle to empower and inspire, removing barriers to participation on and off the field while supporting and strengthening communities.
At halftime of Tuesday’s match, RAVE plans to present checks to two community organizations that also strive to positively impact children and families: the U.S. Soccer Foundation and its Soccer for Success program and YouthCare.
- RAVE is donating $10,000 to the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Soccer for Success programs in Washington State. Soccer for Success is an after-school program in elementary schools that combines information about nutrition and healthy lifestyles with free soccer practice twice per week. The program provides an example of organizations using the game of soccer to address root causes of inequity in communities and RAVE’s donation will fund a location for an entire year.
- A second donation of $10,000 is scheduled for presentation to YouthCare, an organization dedicated to helping Seattle’s homeless youth build confidence and self-sufficiency. RAVE’s support of YouthCare demonstrates the foundation’s commitment to positively impacting young people and families throughout the region.
AREA SUPPORT
Community institutions around the Puget Sound area continue to display their pride and excitement for the pivotal match, including:
- Columbia Center is set to “go green” in its efforts to support Sounders FC on the night of the club’s opening Western Conference Championship match on Tuesday, November 22.
- The Seattle Great Wheel is set to shine Rave Green around the Puget Sound on Monday, November 21 and Tuesday, November 22.
- Pacific Science Center plans to light its arches Rave Green on Monday, November 21 and Tuesday, November 22.
- CenturyLink Field and its recognizable arches are scheduled to light-up Rave Green on Monday, November 21 and Tuesday, November 22.
- Washington State Ferries from Seattle to both Bainbridge Island and Bremerton are flying Sounders FC flags on Monday, November 21 and Tuesday, November 22 in advance of the showdown with Colorado.
After an unprecedented comeback earlier this fall, in which the team made MLS history by moving from ninth place in the Western Conference in August into postseason position by season’s end, Sounders FC now prepares for the Western Conference Championship, having beaten Sporting Kansas City in the Knockout Round and bested 2016 Supporters’ Shield-winner FC Dallas over the course of the two-match Conference Semifinals.
Seattle hosts the first leg of the two-game series on Tuesday, November 22 on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field (7:00 p.m. PT / FS1, FOX Deportes, TSN, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM). The return leg is being played at Colorado’s Dick’s Sporting Goods Park at 1:00 p.m. PT on Sunday, November 27.
The Conference Championship is held over two legs, with aggregate goals determining which team moves on to the 2016 MLS Cup. In the event that both teams score an equal number of goals over the course of the two matches, the team with the greater number of road goals for the series advances. Should the series be tied for both total goals and away goals, the teams play two 15-minute periods of extra time at the conclusion of the second leg in which away goals do not count. This is followed by penalty-kicks, if necessary, to determine the winner.
