SEATTLE - The Seattle Sounders announced Wednesday that they will host Barclays Premier League side West Ham United in an international friendly on July 5 at at CenturyLink Field, the fifth time in franchise history the Sounders will take on an opponent from the Premiership.
The match will begin at 7:30 p.m. PT and is set to be carried regionally throughout Western Washington on JOEtv, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM and El Rey 1360 AM.
The international friendly is included as part of the Sounders FC 2016 Season Ticket Member package and Sea of Green half-season package. Season Ticket Members will receive a 24-hour presale opportunity to purchase additional tickets for the match on Wednesday, May 11.
Additionally, single-match tickets are available for purchase on Thursday, May 12 at 9:00 a.m. PT through SoundersFC.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, the CenturyLink Field box office or by calling 877-MLS-GOAL.
“We are eager to welcome West Ham United to Seattle this summer,” said Sounders Owner Adrian Hanauer. “Our club has a history of playing host to exciting international clubs, and with West Ham currently enjoying one of its best seasons in recent memory, we think this is a matchup both sets of fans can enjoy.”
Under the leadership of first-year Manager Slaven Bilic, West Ham has achieved its highest-ever point total in the Premier League era (62) during the current campaign, and currently sit in sixth place with one game remaining, one point behind Manchester United.
Bilic was hired in June 2015 after previously coaching in Croatia, Russia and Turkey following a prolific playing career that included a stint at West Ham from 1996-1997. His side is led by PFA Player of the Year finalist and French international Dimitri Payet, England internationals Mark Noble and Andy Carroll, in addition to Senegalese central midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate.
Founded in 1895, West Ham United is one of eight clubs to never have fallen below the second division of English football, spending 58 of 90 league seasons in the country’s topflight. The Irons have accumulated three FA Cup championships, as well as two runner-up finishes. The London-base side has also qualified for two European finals, winning the European Cup Winners Cup in 1965 and finishing as runner-up in the competition in 1976.
“It’s very exciting to bring a storied club like West Ham United to CenturyLink Field this summer,” said Sounders Chief Operating Officer Bart Wiley. “It’s always beneficial to expose our players and staff to elite clubs from top leagues around the world, and we’re looking forward to working with our counterparts at West Ham to put on a great event for our passionate fans here in Seattle.”
The Sounders has hosted nine international friendlies over the past seven seasons for a record of 2-5-2, most recently securing a 2-2 draw with Mexican side Club Tijuana last season. This marks the fifth occasion that Seattle has faced a Barclays Premier League side, with the Sounders winless in their four meetings against English opposition (0-3-1).
The Rave Green most recently drew 3-3 with Tottenham Hotspur on July 19, 2014.
“West Ham is finishing up one of the strongest campaigns in its storied history,” said Sounders General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “We look forward to taking on a team that could very well be competing in European football next season, and should present a unique challenge for our squad as we prepare for the second half of our MLS season.”
