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MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC and RAVE Foundation Celebrate Latinx Heritage Month with a Host of Special Events

September 15, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


SEATTLE, WASH.- Seattle Sounders FC and its charitable partner RAVE Foundation today announced that the club is celebrating Latinx Heritage Month - which runs from September 15 to October 15 each year - with a host of community-focused events in Seattle and surrounding areas as well as a variety of matchday activities ahead of the club's fixture against the LA Galaxy on Wednesday, October 4.

This year, Sounders FC is teaming up throughout the month with MEXAM Northwest 2023, the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle, Sea Mar Community Health Clinics and Intentionalist. The annual celebration aligns with the Rave Green's ongoing commitment to fighting racism and social justicewith its dedication to amplify the voices of Latinx community experts and leaders while investing in youth and supporting Latinx-owned local small businesses.

As Sounders FC acknowledges the complexity of the terminology used to celebrate this month by embracing the variety of ways that members of the community identify, the club uses the inclusive term "Latinx" in alignment with its firm belief in LGBTQ+ equality, and to recognize and celebrate the diversity of culture and heritage of the community represented by Sounders FC players, staff members and fans. This year's Latinx Heritage Month celebration events are listed below.

SEA MAR FIESTAS PATRIAS AT SEATTLE CENTER - SEPTEMBER 16

The club is officially kicking off its annual Latinx Heritage Month celebration on September 16 at Sea Mar's Fiestas Patrias event at Seattle Center in Seattle. The event - hosted in collaboration with Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a/Latino/a Culture, the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle and MEXAM NW 2023 - is open to the public and will include a variety of on-site entertainment including soccer activities for preschool age students and above as well as a soccer ball giveaway to the first 500 youth in attendance. In addition, those coming to the event are encouraged to take advantage of an exclusiveticket offer for the club's home match against the LA Galaxy on October 4 at Lumen Field in Seattle. Community coaches and Sounders FC staff members will be at the event on Saturday, September 16 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. PT.

Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias will take place at the Armory Food & Event Hall and Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center in Seattle (305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109).

RAVE FOUNDATION INTRODUCES NEW SOCCER MINI-PITCHES IN YAKIMA - SEPTEMBER 22

As the Rave Green continue their effort to invest in the Latinx community, the club and its charitable partner RAVE Foundation have announced the opening of two new soccer mini-pitches at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Yakima. An opening event is scheduled for Friday, September 22 at 2:00 p.m. PT, hosted in collaboration with the Yakima School District, SeattleFWC26 - Seattle's local organizing committee for the FIFA World Cup 2026 - the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle and MEXAM NW 2023. The investment is part of RAVE's commitment to build 26 small fields for free play by 2026 and part of its legacy ahead of Seattle serving as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This double mini-pitch features a portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. created by celebrated artist Teddy "Stat" Phillips. Following the opening ceremony, Phillips will lead students in art-making activities inspired by the life and teachings of Martin Luther King Jr.

The opening ceremony - emceed by Sounders FC Communications Manager Gisselle Pichardo - will be presented in both English and Spanish and is open to students and their families as well as to media members who would like to attend for photography and b-roll opportunities.

Event speakers and community leaders include Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School Principal Phillip Koestner,Yakima School District Superintendent Trevor Greene, Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026 representative and Chief Legacy Officer Lisa Chin, the Head Consul of Mexico in Seattle Héctor Iván Godoy Priske, Washington Youth Soccer Executive Director Roger Levesque as well as Sounders FC Front Office representatives.

Media members who would like to attend the opening ceremony at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Yakima for photography and b-roll opportunities, should RSVP with Gisselle Pichardo of Sounders FC Communications [GisselleP@SoundersFC.com].

Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School is located at 2000 South 18th Street, Union Gap, WA 98903.

MATCHDAY ACTIVATIONS - OCTOBER 4

On Wednesday, October 4 as Sounders FC hosts LA Galaxy on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM), the club recognizesthe many contributions, diverse cultures and extensive histories of the Latinx community in observance of Latinx Heritage Month. The match on October 4 kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT with gates opening at 6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets to attend the club's match vs. LA Galaxy on Wednesday, October 4 can be purchased HERE.

This year, as Sounders FC and RAVE Foundation work to provide career pathway exploration programs for students in underserved communities, the pair will host a special Pro Sports Career Panel which will serve local students from Sea Mar's Latino/a Educational Achievement Project (LEAP), a statewide effort to improve academic achievement of Latino students in Washington state. The panel - scheduled to take place before kickoff at Lumen Field - will highlight many career opportunities in professional sports and will feature special guests including the Head Consul of Mexico in Seattle Héctor Iván Godoy Priske as well as Sounders FC Latinx-identifying employees.

In addition, RAVE Community Kids of the Match on October 4 will highlight students from Sea Mar's LEAP Program and will include Latinx-identifying high school students from Toppenish, Grainger and Tacoma.

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.

SPEND LIKE IT MATTERS AT LATINX-OWNED BUSINESSES

Join Sounders FC on October 4 at Lumen Fieldas the club takes on LA Galaxy and celebrates Latinx Heritage Month with a special group ticket offer for fans that includes a ticket to the home match and an item of their choice from Latinx-owned restaurant Maiz. The Seattle-based restaurant with locations in Place Market and Belltown is passionate about preserving traditional corn seeds by creating, eating and spreading non-GMO heirloom corn and offers a variety of fresh and vibrant Mexican street food including chalupas, gorditas, huaraches, quesadillas, sopes, guisado-style tacos, tamales, tlacoyos, tostadas and more.

Tickets for those who would like to take advantage of this special group ticket offer can be purchased HERE.

In addition, the Rave Green is excited to partner with Intentionalist and Seattle's professional sports teams - OL Reign, Seattle Kraken, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Storm - to reward fans who #SpendLIkeItMatters at small businesses owned by people from Latinx, Hispanic and Latino/a-identified communities. Fans can expect Latinx-owned food trucks to be onsite at matchday on October 4 serving a variety of delicious fare with special deals for customers.

As part of this joint initiative, fans can upload their receipts from Latinx-owned small businesses for the chance to win Sounders tickets and other fun prizes. Every uploaded receipt is an entry to win; the more entries, the more chances for fans to win.

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