SEATTLE, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC today announced a landmark agreement with Seattle United, with the latter organization becoming the Rave Green’s first official youth club partner in Western Washington as part of Sounders FC’s effort to extend its youth development infrastructure and Academy program.
“Local partnerships like this are critical for us to be active in the Seattle community and to build institutions that interact with our fans and their families,” said Sounders FC General Manager and President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “This partnership reflects how highly we value input from Seattle’s Youth Soccer community. Seattle United and its staff bring great leadership and vision toward player development as we continue to improve our Academy base. This partnership also allows us to access the best available players in our region that are developing within one of the most-respected youth organizations in Western Washington.”
The partnership will provide new programming, coaching education and unique interactions through Sounders FC events. The partnership will also see Sounders FC and Seattle United partner in a new jointly operated program to provide boys and girls under the age of 13 the chance to train and be developed under the Sounders FC technical staff and scouts, as well as participating in Sounders FC Academy trainings. The partnership also allows Seattle United players an opportunity to be placed in Sounders FC Academy teams. Further details pertaining to the partnership will be made available in the coming weeks.
Seattle United consists of more than 2,000 players in the greater Seattle metropolitan area, and as part of the partnership, Seattle United players will wear Sounders FC’s iconic Rave Green home kits beginning in the 2016-2017 season.
“We are all very excited about this partnership. Sounders FC is a first-class organization to work with and this partnership shows a tremendous commitment to youth soccer in the area,” said Seattle United President Steve Morrissey. “We are very thankful that Sounders FC has chosen Seattle United to be the Western Washington cornerstone for their partnership program.”
News and information about the Sounders FC Academy and Seattle United, as well as Academy schedules, rosters and staff, can be found on the newly redesigned Sounders FC Academy website via the following link: www.SoundersFC.com/Academy.
