SEATTLE, WASH. - This Sunday, as Sounders FC hosts the Portland Timbers in the final of three regular-season matchups, fans may notice a different look around CenturyLink Field. The team is celebrating its NASL roots with a Heritage-themed match, hearkening back to the look and feel of the 1970s Sounders. In addition to adopting the Sounders' original colors and logos throughout the stadium, the club's prematch festivities and opening ceremony will also have a throwback flair, and the team is set to wear its Heritage kits. Dating back to 1975, kickoff for the 99th installment of the Seattle-Portland rivalry is slated for 6:30 p.m. PT, with a national stage being provided by FOX Sports 1.
The gameday experience begins at the March to the Match in Occidental Park, where the Blue Wave Band is scheduled to perform from 4:00-4:45 p.m. PT, featuring an entirely 70s musical lineup. Matchday Insider features an interview with Sounders legend Bobby Howe. Howe played professionally for West Ham United before coming to the Pacific Northwest, where he played for the NASL Sounders and became a decorated youth coach following his playing career. The March itself, one of the best traditions in American sports started by the Emerald City Supporters, departs from Occidental Park at 5:30 p.m. PT, making its way to CenturyLink Field.
Gates open at 5:00 p.m. PT and the first 20,000 fans receive a special trading card giveaway. The set of 10 exclusive cards feature current Sounders FC players with a throwback design. In addition to Head Coach Brian Schmetzer, players featured in the card pack include Ozzie Alonso, Clint Dempsey, Brad Evans, Stefan Frei, Nicolás Lodeiro, Chad Marshall, Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan and Román Torres. Images of the fronts of the cards for use by media are available at the following link: http://bit.ly/2wJbIHm.
The Xbox Pitch takes on a new look for team opening ceremonies, including throwback flags, stadium wraps and video board designs. Fans can also take advantage of an exclusive Heritage geofilter when they use Snapchat at the match.
Season Ticket Members are also reminded that, once renewed for 2018, they may collect a replica MLS Cup Championship ring on matchday at Membership Central, located on the West Field Plaza outside of Section 130. Rings are available one per account and must be picked up by primary account holders or seat designees. Season Ticket Members can renew at SoundersFC.com/Renew.
Sunday's Cascadia clash closes out a weekend of Seattle vs. Portland rivalries, as Sounders FC's training facility, Starfire Sports, hosts a battle between the Special Olympics Washington Unified Team and Portland Timbers Unified Team on Saturday, August 26, as well as the annual Supporters Cup matches between the Emerald City Supporters and Timbers Army.
The action begins at Starfire Stadium at 12:15 p.m. PT with the first of four Supporters Cup matches that are scheduled for the day. The Men's Over 40 teams play first, followed by the men's II teams at 2:15 p.m. PT. Following a break for the Special Olympics Unified Team match, Supporters Cup action picks back up at 5:40 p.m. PT with the women's match and is capped by the men's I match at 7:40 p.m. PT.
The Supporters Cup has been an annual tradition since 2010. Starting as a single match, the event has grown into a full four-match series that gives supporters from both teams the chance to play against their archrival while representing their city and professional club of choice.
From 3:45-5:00 p.m. PT, Sounders FC's Special Olympics Unified Exchange Team faces the Portland Timbers Unified Exchange Team. Seattle and Portland were the first MLS teams to ever host a Special Olympics Unified Exchange match in 2010, and the tradition has continued in each subsequent season, with two Special Olympics Unified Exchange matches played each year: one in Portland and one in Seattle. In this season's first meeting at Providence Park on June 25, the teams played to a 4-4 draw.
Both teams are being featured at halftime of Sunday's match during the CenturyLink Crossbar Challenge.
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. Next summer, the City of Seattle hosts the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games from July 1-6, and Sounders FC looks forward to continuing its support in preparation for that exciting event.
In preparation for the weekend, Sounders FC also wishes to make media and fans aware of several weekend traffic events which may impact travel to and from the stadium on Sunday.
TRAFFIC ALERT: The State Route 520 Bridge is under a full closure from 11:00 p.m. PT Friday through 5:00 a.m. PT Monday, while Washington State DOT's "Revive I-5" project also continues, with the interstate down to two lanes between I-405 and the Duwamish River Bridge from 10:00 p.m. PT Friday through 5:00 a.m. PT Monday.
Following a 1-1 draw at Vancouver Whitecaps FC last night, Sounders FC currently sits alone in the top position in the Western Conference with 41 points, one point ahead of the Portland Timbers and Sporting Kansas City, giving Sunday's Cascadia clash major implications for both the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and 2017 Cascadia Cup standings.
2018 Full Season Ticket Deposits are now available. For $100, fans can secure a priority spot in line when season tickets go on sale in October. Fans can place a deposit during Sunday's match at one of two sales tables and get a bonus gift. Representatives will be located outside Sections 144 and 311.
