As Sounders FC prepares to take on the Portland Timbers this Saturday (1:30 p.m. PT / FOX, YouTube TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM), the team wishes to remind fans to arrive early to take advantage of the many activities taking place leading up to kickoff.
Soccer fans can plan to make a full day of exciting games, first enjoying a free 2018 FIFA World Cup watch party in CenturyLink Field’s North Plaza as Uruguay faces Portugal at 11:00 a.m. PT, before cheering on Seattle in its first Cascadia Cup match of the season immediately afterward. The watch party is open to all ticketed fans, with northwest gates opening at 10:30 a.m. PT. In addition to discounted concessions and the chance to win various prizes, fans at the watch party can also be the first to receive the day’s matchday giveaway, presented by matchday sponsor adidas: an exclusive poster commemorating top moments in the Sounders-Timbers rivalry. The poster is available at all remaining gates at their usual opening time of 12:00 p.m. PT.
Fans unable to attend the early watch party can still enjoy all the usual March to the Match festivities in Occidental Park, where the band Ruler is set to perform at 11:30 a.m. PT before the March departs for CenturyLink Field.
Prior to kickoff, Sounders FC hosts a leg of the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games Law Enforcement Torch Run. The run, featuring an elite group of law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes, escorts the Special Olympics Flame of Hope on a journey across Washington state from June 27 through July 1. The flame symbolizes courage and the celebration of diversity, and its appearance on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field is one of the final stops before the 2018 USA Games Opening Ceremonies, held at the University of Washington on July 1.
On the pitch, fans may notice a different look on Sounders FC’s kits. The team is set to wear special Cascadia-themed numbers, featuring stripes of blue, white and green which reflect the Cascadia flag. These numbers are available in the CenturyLink Field Pro Shop beginning on Saturday, while supplies last. Starting at $30, fans can have their Rave Green jersey pressed with the limited-edition numbers.
At halftime, the Columbia Crest Meg-a Fan promotion concludes, with two lucky fans selected from all Meg-a Fan submissions on social media to compete for a chance at the grand prize. Each of the two fans will have the opportunity to meg a cut-out goalkeeper on the field, and, if they make their shot, they win $10,000 courtesy of Columbia Crest, the official wine of Sounders FC.
Additionally, earlier on Saturday morning, the Sounders FC Special Olympics Unified Exchange team from Kent, Washington, who were officially signed to the Sounders FC family last month, take on the Portland Timbers Special Olympics Unified Exchange team at CenturyLink Field at 8:00 a.m. PT. Any fans wishing to support these talented teams should arrive at the Northwest gates no later than 7:30 a.m. PT. While fans are welcome, they must exit the stadium following the Unified Exchange match in order to re-enter for either the watch party or Sounders FC match.
The Special Olympics Unified Exchanges matches are a special tradition for both Sounders FC and the Timbers, as the two rivals became the first MLS teams to ever host such a match with the first of the series in 2010. The tradition has continued in each subsequent season, with two Special Olympics Unified Exchange matches played every year: one in Portland and one in Seattle. Now, every U.S.-based MLS club hosts or travels to play at least one Special Olympics Unified Exchange match each season.
Sounders FC has supported Special Olympics programming since the club’s MLS inception in 2009. The partnership furthers the team’s commitment to being a leader in equality and inclusion in sport. This summer, the City of Seattle hosts the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games from July 1-6 and Sounders FC continues to support the exciting event as a professional sports partner of the Games.
Fans should keep in mind that the Seattle Mariners are scheduled for a 7:10 p.m. PT first pitch against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday evening that may affect late afternoon traffic in the SoDo area.
For additional details regarding traffic alerts, matchday transportation options and maps, please visit SoundersFC.com/Matchday/Transportation/Guide. Sounders FC’s social media channels also continue to provide up-to-date information for media and fans as needed.
