The Seattle Sounders have an exciting few months ahead of them as the club opens up its very own state-of-the-art facility for its players and front office staff members.
After residing at the Starfire Sports complex for the duration of their MLS existence, the Sounders will transition to housing all soccer operations at the Sounders FC Center at Longacres in the beginning of the 2024 year.
“[The Sounders FC Center] is a first-class facility,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “Starfire was great for a lot of different reasons. It felt like our home. But this is a tremendous upgrade.”
Formerly the corporate aviation headquarters for Boeing, the Sounders have transformed the space into a place for both players and staff members to thrive at a whole different level.
From building several full-size practice pitches for Academy, Tacoma Defiance and First Team players, to renovating 50,000 square feet of office space for employees at the club, the Sounders FC Center at Longacres is expected to create a more cutting-edge environment that will elevate the organization for years to come.
“Players and professionals can do everything they can, but when you have a state-of-the-art facility it just adds a little something,” said goalkeeper Stefan Frei. “It’s a big difference.”
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The Sounders FC Center at Longacres will be influential in more ways than one. Along with the internal benefits it provides for the organization, it will create a positive impact on the club's supporters and its surrounding community.
Not only will it put an emphasis on welcoming the fans to training sessions and other events at the Longacres campus, but it also the potential to attract other major companies and investment opportunities.
On the soccer side, it adds an attractive reinforcement to the organization with the potential to influence players’ decisions on signing to the club.
As the Sounders prepare for their 50th Anniversary season, the facility will have numerous elements that honor the history and heritage of the club.
“We've got spaces downstairs [at the Sounders FC Center] that are going to be dedicated to legends, and that's what we're focused on,” said General Manager & Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel.
And with Seattle selected as one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Center has the opportunity to serve as a training site for some of the top players and national teams around the globe.
The Longacres development is a valuable asset for the organization’s growth in business and in the sport of soccer. What is a monumental moment for the club, is just a small part of the bigger celebration that makes up the Sounders’ 50th year anniversary.
“It's an awesome space and it's going to inspire a lot of these guys,” said Waibel. “There's nothing like showing up to your own home, especially when it's brand new and so, the team is excited.”
