Seattle Sounders FC today announced activities surrounding the club’s home match this Sunday against Atlanta United FC (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360 AM). Presented by matchday sponsor WaFd Bank, the game provides Seattle with an important opportunity to open the final third of the MLS regular season on a strong note, as the club returns to play following a brief break as Leagues Cup 2023 concludes.
Fans are encouraged to show their Rave Green spirit and cheer on Sounders FC as the club clashes with an Atlanta team led by some familiar faces. Gonzalo Pineda, a former Sounders FC player and assistant coach on Brian Schmetzer’s staff, is currently Head Coach of The Five Stripes, while Garth Lagerwey, who served as General Manager & President of Soccer for Seattle, is now the Georgia club’s President & CEO. Both Pineda and Lagerwey are set to be recognized by Sounders FC in their return to Seattle on Sunday (full details below).
For those attending the game, several important traffic considerations should be noted. From 10:00 p.m. PT on Friday, August 18 through 5:00 a.m. PT on Monday, August 21, I-405 is experiencing a full closure between Sunset Boulevard Northeast in Renton (Exit 5) and Coal Creek Parkway in Bellevue (Exit 10). A detour will be in place along Coal Creek Parkway, but all travelers should prepare for heavy traffic and delays. Additionally, light rail service for the 1 Line is currently experiencing a service disruption as crews replace rail at Royal Brougham Way, just north of Stadium Station. Fans can find information about how this may affect their plans here.
Sounders FC encourages fans to utilize transit and alternative forms of transportation to attend matches. For those arriving by bicycle, a complimentary bike valet program presented by Providence is available, as Providence extends its green initiatives through its partnership with Sounders FC. As part of Providence’s vision of health for a better world, it is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to become carbon negative. Across the health system, Providence is making meaningful changes that have reduced emissions by 11.5 percent per year, compared to its 2019 baseline. More about Providence’s commitment to environmental stewardship and progress can be found here.
The bike valet program is available at all of Sounders FC’s MLS regular-season matches through September 1. Located on Occidental Avenue near the north parking lot of the stadium, bicycles can be parked with the bike valet – operated by Cascade Bicycle Club – starting two hours before kickoff and must be claimed no later than one hour after the final whistle.
Outside the stadium before the game, fans can stop by Occidental Square Park from 5:00-6:30 p.m. PT to enjoy SoundCheck, Sounders FC’s free pre-match programming held ahead of select home matches. SoundCheck provides free entertainment and activities for all ages in a festive, party-like atmosphere, including live music, food trucks, appearances by Sammy the Sounder and giveaways. This Sunday’s edition of SoundCheck includes music by Lovely Colours, a local Seattle indie / alt rock band with a sound packed with catchy hooks and jammy guitar riffs.
Gates open at 6:00 p.m. PT on Sunday and fans wishing to take part in the Emerald City Supporters’ official March to Match are encouraged to join in as SoundCheck wraps up, with the march departing Occidental Square Park at 6:30 p.m. PT on its way to Lumen Field.
Outside of the northwest gates are several fun, interactive activities in which fans can participate ahead of the match, including:
• A brightly wrapped Sounders FC Prius marks the spot for Western Washington Toyota Dealers, where a variety of Sounders prizes are available to win.
• Stop by the RAD Power Bikes setup to take a spin on an e-bike outside of the stadium, with those who complete a test ride entered to win a custom RAD power bike.
• Continental Tire is offering a Scarf Vending Machine that will distribute up to 500 free scarves to those who stop by and register via QR code or on provided iPads. Each registrant is also entered for a chance to win an autographed team soccer ball or a set of Continental tires. Additionally, fans can participate in a Rocket League 1v1 competition using Continental-branded RC cars, with competitors having three minutes to land a goal against their opponent.
Fans entering the stadium should make their first stop at the northwest marshalling area, where matchday sponsor WaFd Bank is onsite to hand out free card pouches printed with an exclusive design by Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei. Supplies of the card pouches are limited and available on a strict first come, first served basis.
Once in the stadium, fans can enjoy the continuation of Sounders FC’s BIPOC and diverse-owned food truck and pop-up restaurants, presented by First & Goal Inc. and Levy. Curated by Intentionalist, these local small businesses align with Sounders FC’s social impact and cultural calendar, giving fans the opportunity to discover new culinary delights with food trucks in Lumen Field’s North Plaza and a pop-up restaurant location in Lumen Field’s PNW Marketplace concessions area, located in the east concourse outside of Section 113.
With August marking Black Business Month, Sunday’s selections celebrate Black-owned eateries based in communities served by RAVE Foundation and include food trucks Ma & Pops – serving up delicious, summery, ethically sourced vegan ice pops in flavors like Pineapple Cooler, Guava and Spicy Watermelon – and Dat Creole Soul – bringing authentic Cajun cuisine and Southern flair to the Pacific Northwest. The PNW Marketplace features fan favorite Zuri’s Gourmet Donutz, giving fans a chance for a sweet treat with a variety of unique doughnut flavors.
The North Plaza is also home to the Bud Light Zone, which features tailgate games and activities including giant Jenga, Connect 4 and more fun for guests of all ages.
At Lumen Field’s Cityside Bar, fans can partake in Tequila Herradura Happy Hour from 6:00-7:30 p.m. PT, where $9 Tequila Herradura Sounderitas are available, as well as lawn games and the opportunity to enter to win unique prizes.
Throughout the stadium, fans can explore and participate in a wide variety of activities, which on Saturday include:
• * The Providence Challenge –* Fans can test their soccer and mental skills through three different activities at The Providence Challenge, as well as having the opportunity to take the Providence Pledge to promise to better their mental health. All participating fans will be entered to win an autographed Sounders FC jersey or a pair of tickets to an upcoming home match.
• Crossbar Challenge, Presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers – The first five fans to hit the crossbar in this interactive skills challenge earn a chance to take a kick on-field at halftime. If a fan hits a crossbar at halftime, Western Washington Toyota Dealers donates $1,000 to RAVE Foundation.
• Protect the Net, Presented by American Family Insurance – Fans can put their skills to the test in this virtual goalkeeping game for a chance to take home some co-branded swag.
• Sounders Penalty Kick – A digital activation where fans get five chances to score a goal against a virtual goalkeeper.
• Soccer Skee-ball – This activation allows fans to play a soccer-themed version of Skee-Ball, kicking a ball down a ramp, rather than rolling it, in order to score as many points as possible.
• * Soccer Billiards –* Fans can play a soccer-themed version of pool, challenging a partner and kicking colored soccer balls into the oversized pool table pockets before their opponent does.
• RAVE 2026 Kick Experience – Learn about RAVE Foundation’s 26 Fields by 2026 campaign and attempt to kick a soccer ball through a hole.
• FIFA Gaming Station – Challenge an opponent to a friendly match of FIFA ’23.
• Lumen Lens – This augmented reality photobooth places fans in photos with their favorite players.
• * Sit & Soccer –* A one-on-one table soccer game where fans attempt to outscore their opponent.
• Scarves Up! Photo Activation – Raise a scarf and recreate the club’s iconic matchday moment in this new photobooth.
• Sounders ‘Til I Die Instagram Wall – Themed photo opportunity for fans to grab the perfect social media shot.
This Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. PT through closing, The Pro Shop at Lumen Field is offering Alliance Members an exclusive deal for 25 percent off a total purchase. Members can simply show their 2023 Pro Shop Discount Card, located in the Sounders FC Account Manager, to access this discount. The Pro Shop at Lumen Field is open to both ticketed and non-ticketed fans on matchdays, with Sunday’s Member Discount Day valid only on August 20, 2023. Some exclusions may apply.
Several special on-field recognition moments are planned for Sunday, giving Sounders FC fans the ability to show the club’s “Once a Sounder,” ethos in action – at least until kickoff. Gonzalo Pineda is being recognized during pre-match warmups, while following warmups and prior to team walkouts, Garth Lagerwey will be presented with his official Concacaf Champions League championship watch – a gift from Sounders FC Majority Owner Adrian Hanauer to all players, coaches and technical staff involved in Seattle’s historic 2022 Concacaf Champions League title.
Sunday’s national anthem is being performed by Sounders matchday regular Jonathan Wright, with the “Scarves Up!” moment led by John Giebelhausen and Erika Obrietan, two fans who won the Scarves Up experience as a prize during the 2022 Fan Appreciation Day match.
At halftime, Sounders FC is celebrating two teams who have made soccer history in Washington: the 1983 U16 USYS National Champions, Federal Way Goalpost SC, the first national champions from The Evergreen State, and Ballard FC, who just earlier this month were crowned USL League Two champions in a thrilling 2-1 victory featuring a stoppage time game-winner.
For further information regarding any of the activities mentioned here, please contact a member of Sounders FC Communications. To learn more about Sounders FC matchdays, health and safety and how to be prepared to attend a match, visit SoundersFC.com/Matchday/Know-Before-You-Go.
Single-match tickets for each of the club’s remaining MLS home matches are currently on sale. In addition, Sounders FC Season Memberships and Partial Season Ticket Packages are still available. To purchase single-match tickets or any other ticket packages, fans can call 877-657-4625 or email Sales@SoundersFC.com. Complete information on all Sounders FC ticket packages can be found via SoundersFC.com/Tickets.
