SEATTLE, WASH. – This Friday, June 2, media are invited to attend two special events at Lumen Field featuring Sounders FC and OL Reign.
The afternoon begins with a joint press conference at 1:30 p.m. PT, featuring head coaches Brian Schmetzer and Laura Harvey and player representatives Cristian Roldan and Lauren “Lu” Barnes. The quartet is set to discuss Saturday’s blockbuster doubleheader, which features both Seattle’s topflight men’s and women’s soccer teams playing in back-to-back matches on the same day, with a single ticket providing access to the full day of exciting action on the pitch and wide-ranging entertainment options off it.
Following the press conference, Sounders FC and OL Reign players will join with representatives from Starbucks – Sounders FC’s official Pride Match sponsor – Trans Families and the Emerald City Supporters to raise a giant Progress Pride flag over Lumen Field in celebration of Pride Month. The flag raising is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. PT.
Media are encouraged to attend both events. Please see below for further details.
JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE
The high stakes and passion of the Seattle-Portland rivalry return to Lumen Field this Saturday, June 3 as Sounders FC and OL Reign host a second edition of the popular doubleheader, featuring back-to-back matches and bountiful entertainment for a full day of celebrating soccer in the Pacific Northwest. Adding to the intensity, both clubs are facing off against their archrivals, with Sounders FC battling the Portland Timbers at 1:30 p.m. PT followed by OL Reign taking on the Portland Thorns at 5:00 p.m. PT.
Ahead of the game, Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer and OL Reign Head Coach Laura Harvey, together with player representatives Cristian Roldan and Lauren “Lu” Barnes, are taking part in a joint press conference to discuss the rivalry games ahead.
The press conference is set to begin at 1:30 p.m. PT in the Seahawks postgame interview room.
Media should note that Sounders FC is also hosting an open training session at Lumen Field on Friday morning, with training beginning at approximately 10:00 a.m. PT and post-training availability beginning at approximately 11:15 a.m. PT.
Media interested in attending the joint press conference should RSVP with Matt Winter of Sounders FC Communications [MattW@SoundersFC.com].
WHAT: Doubleheader Joint Press Conference
WHO: Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer
Sounders FC Midfielder Cristian Roldan
OL Reign Head Coach Laura Harvey
OL Reign Defender Lauren Barnes
WHEN: Friday, June 2 – 1:30 p.m. PT
WHERE: Lumen Field – Seahawks Postgame Interview Room
HOW: Media interested in attending should RSVP with Matt Winter of Sounders FC Communications [MattW@SoundersFC.com].
PROGRESS PRIDE FLAG RAISING
Also taking place this Friday afternoon is the annual Progress Pride flag raising at Lumen Field. Scheduled for 2:00 p.m. PT, media are invited to capture b-roll and interviews with event participants as Sounders FC and OL Reign celebrate the start of Pride Month.
At this year’s raising, Sounders FC is joined by Starbucks – the Rave Green’s official Pride partner – along with OL Reign, Trans Families and the Emerald City Supporters to raise a giant Progress Pride flag over Lumen Field.
The flag will fly over Lumen Field during both Sounders FC’s home matches in June – including the club’s official Pride Match against Orlando City on June 24 – and also for OL Reign’s official Pride Match against the Kansas City Current on June 10.
Media interested in attending should RSVP with Gisselle Pichardo of Sounders FC Communications [GisselleP@SoundersFC.com].
The annual flag raising event is a show of support that aligns with the club’s continuing commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. The club’s Social Justice Framework – the strategy screen that guides the club’s consistent actions, investments and impacts – includes as one of its four main tenets, “Stand for LGBTQ+ Equality.” Within these core beliefs, Sounders FC dedicates itself to consistent action over time that creates stronger and more equitable spaces for the LGBTQ+ community, working through the lenses of education, allyship and advocacy.
The Progress Pride flag design is a variation of the classic Pride flag and was created by graphic designer Daniel Quasar in 2018. The Progress Pride flag adds a chevron to the classic Pride flag design, with colors representing marginalized communities of color and trans pride, placing emphasis on inclusion and progression.
Taking part in the flag raising are Sounders FC players Kelyn Rowe and Dylan Teves, OL Reign players Jess Fishlock and Tziarra King, Starbucks representative Lance Haulter, Trans Families Program Coordinator Semyon Kiyan and Emerald City Supporters member Dana Reinhart.
WHAT: Progress Pride Flag Raising
WHO: Sounders FC players Kelyn Rowe and Dylan Teves
OL Reign players Jess Fishlock and Tziarra King
Starbucks representative Lance Haulter
Trans Families Program Coordinator Semyon Kiyan
Emerald City Supporters member Dana Reinhart
WHEN: Friday, June 2 – 2:00 p.m. PT
WHERE: Lumen Field – Toyota Fan Deck
HOW: Media interested in attending should RSVP with Gisselle Pichardo of Sounders FC Communications [GisselleP@SoundersFC.com].
- SOUNDERS FC -
