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MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC Celebrates Mission to "Defend the Right to Play" at Saturday's Match

July 21, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


SEATTLE, WASH. - This Saturday, July 23, as Sounders FC hosts the Colorado Rapids (7:00 p.m. PT / FOX 13+, Prime Video, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360 AM) in a game presented by matchday sponsor Zulily, the club is celebrating its mission to Defend the Right to Play, one of Sounders FC's four core social justice arenas for change, supported by the team's official Social Justice Framework, and an important part of the mission of the organization's charitable arm, RAVE Foundation. Defending the right to play is anchored around the belief that play is not a privilege but a right, and RAVE Foundation's work in the community aims to remove barriers to play by providing access to youth in Washington State who are furthest from play equity.

Saturday's Defend the Right to Play-themed match is set to give fans a chance to learn more and rally support for RAVE Foundation and its 26 by 2026 initiative, which aims to build 26 fields for free play throughout the state in time for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The fields built through the campaign will additionally anchor RAVE programming designed to help children learn, be healthy and feel joy. More information about RAVE's vision can be found at RaveFoundation.org/Fields.

Sounders FC fans - some of the most passionate across soccer - joined the 26 by 2026 efforts by recently committing to fund one of the 26 fields in RAVE's plan. This Fan-Funded Field project was announced last month and is a focus for Saturday's match. Fans seeking to help fund this field can visit https://secure.givelively.org/donate/rave-foundation/fan-funded-field.

With neighbors the Seattle Mariners playing the Houston Astros in front of what's expected to be a sold-out crowd at T-Mobile Park at 1:10 p.m. PT on Saturday, fans attending Sounders FC's match later in the evening should plan to arrive early and prepare for heavier traffic than usual if driving in the SoDo neighborhood and are encouraged to consider public transportation options. In addition, fans should note that WSDOT's Revive I-5 project continues this weekend, with southbound I-5 lane reductions from 10:00 p.m. PT Friday through 5:00 a.m. PT Monday.

Outside of the stadium, fans can look forward to SoundCheck in Occidental Square Park. This public pre-match event is scheduled from 4:30-6:00 p.m. PT on Saturday. Fans can stop by the park to enjoy a party atmosphere, with games, giveaways and a special performance by School of Rock Seattle, a group of talented young musicians that perform regularly in the greater Seattle area and beyond, including notable events and festivals such as Capitol Hill Block Party, Summerfest, Bumbershoot and more.

The Emerald City Supporters' March to the Match then departs Occidental Square Park at 6:00 p.m. PT on its way to Lumen Field.

As fans enter the stadium, they will have the opportunity to donate $20.26 to the Fan-Funded Field in exchange for an exclusive Summer With The Champs poster. Payment by Paypal, Venmo or credit card is accepted, and fans can secure a memento of the team's popular celebratory summer campaign while giving to a great cause. The posters will also be for sale - with proceeds benefitting the Fan-Funded Field - in the Lumen Field Pro Shop.

In the Lumen Field North Plaza, the spirit of play comes to life and fans can enjoy summer with the Sounders with a giant beach scene, complete with volleyball, badminton and free play with oversized inflatable soccer balls. Fans can re-create their own Summer With The Champs images with help from life-sized player cutouts, floaties, boogie boards and other amusing props, and the club and RAVE Foundation will amplify posts shared to social media that tag @RaveFound and use #FanFundedField.

The center of the North Plaza holds a giant Fan-Funded Field chalk art, and fans are encouraged to decorate this space with their own suggestions for the name of the field.

The featured North Plaza food truck on Saturday is Seoul Bowl. Sourced in partnership with Intentionalist, these trucks support local diverse-owned small businesses.

Fans can also grab a special treat and support a local business by visiting the PNW Marketplace concessions area, located in the East Concourse outside Section 113. At tomorrow's match, El Cabrito is featured with a special pop-up location, serving its made-from-scratch Oaxacan cuisine.

In the Northwest Marshalling area, Clemson University is on-site with an interactive booth demonstrating and giving fans a chance to experience blind soccer. Sounders FC is partnering with Clemson to host an adaptive soccer coaching clinic this weekend, supporting the right to play for all. The camp features veterans and professionals working with veterans, with participants receiving U.S. Soccer Grassroots Coaching certification, Mental Health First Aid certification and adaptive soccer training. As part of the camp, Sounders FC is hosting camp participants at the match, in partnership with Clemson, the US Department of Veteran Affairs and U.S. Soccer, courtesy of Socios.com.

Talented young local musician Nikhil Bagga is busking in the West Field Plaza, providing live entertainment for fans pregame.

El Jimador is offering fans 21 years of age and older a photo mosaic experience, and Allstate is upgrading seats at the match for two lucky winners plus a guest. Fans can enter the Allstate upgrade by scanning the QR code from signage posted around the stadium before kickoff. Winners are notified shortly after the match begins and are also given the opportunity to take part in the "Final 20" experience, taking in the final 20 minutes of action from pitchside.

Due to fan demand, the Lumen Field Pro Shop is also offering SEA 2026 scarves for sale. The scarf celebrates the successful bid by Seattle to be selected as a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

The national anthem is being performed by Jonathan Wright, and, immediately before kickoff, "Scarves Up!" is being led by participants from RAVE Foundation's Summer With The Champs photo challenge, which asked fans to recreate the iconic Summer With The Champs scenes at home.

At halftime of the match, RAVE Foundation celebrates the 15 field locations - of its ultimate goal of 26 - that are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022. The fields are represented on the pitch by flags carried by RAVE donors and volunteers, with members of Alliance Council carrying the Fan-Funded Field flag.

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