MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC to Sign Special Olympics Washington Unified Sports Team Today, Tuesday, May 28

Published on May 28, 2019 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


SEATTLE, WASH. - This afternoon, Tuesday, May 28, at 4:00 p.m. PT in The NINETY, Sounders FC is hosting a special signing ceremony to add its 2019 Special Olympics Washington Unified Sports athletes and partners to the roster. Head Coach Brian Schmetzer and forward Will Bruin will be in attendance to welcome the new athletes to Sounders FC and discuss teamwork, inclusion, competing on a high level and the club's historic rivalry with Portland as the Special Olympics Washington Unified Team prepares to face the Portland Timbers Unified Team twice this summer.

The athletes signing contracts today are scheduled to play a Unified Exchange Match against the Portland Timbers at CenturyLink Field in July, then away at Providence Park in August. These Washington natives recently returned from representing the United States and playing in the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Abu Dhabi in March, where they earned the bronze medal.

The Special Olympics Unified Exchanges matches are a special tradition for both Sounders FC and the Timbers, as the two rivals were the first MLS teams to ever host such a match, with the series beginning in 2010. The tradition has continued in each subsequent season, with two Special Olympics Unified Exchange matches played every year: one in Portland and one in Seattle. Now, every U.S.-based MLS club hosts or travels to play at least one Special Olympics Unified Exchange match each season.

After signing contracts to officially join Sounders FC, each athlete will take headshots for their Sounders FC roster and have a personalized jersey presented to them by Schmetzer and Bruin.

Sounders FC has supported Special Olympics programming since the club's inception into MLS in 2009. The partnership furthers the team's commitment to leading the way in equality and inclusion in sport.

Check out the Seattle Sounders FC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from May 28, 2019


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central