By Matt Gaschk

The Sounders FC give their Full 90 each week. Recently, they also got to “play” the Full 90 in their newest ad campaign.

Produced by Wexley School for Girls, a local advertising agency that has collaborated on many of the Sounders FC marketing campaigns in the past, Sounders FC players were put in a game show format for the new commercials with play-by-play voice Ross Fletcher serving as host.

We talked with Marc Burch, Brad Evans, Jeff Parke and Andy Rose about their experiences on set, behind the scenes of The Full 90.

What was going through your mind when you got called in to the commercial shoot?

Burch – It’s pretty cool. I just saw one on tv for the first time yesterday and they look good. They’re well-written and I think all the guys did a great job. It was a new thing for me and it was a lot of fun.
Evans – I knew it was going to be professionally done. I saw the suit set up in the training room and I thought, “Oh boy …” Then I saw the jerseys and knew we were safe. They are always a good time and they always put together something great.
Rose – I had absolutely no idea what was going on, but I heard last year’s version was really funny, so I was excited about that. Anytime you can reach out to the fans and connect like that, I think it’s always a good thing. It was fun.

What is it like going through that recording process?

Evans – When you watch it on tv, it seems so seamless. It’s the magic behind the scenes. That’s a credit to all the workers. It’s kind of a weird process. I can’t wait to see them all. Rose – You really see a side of us that fans don’t always see on the field. We had a great time.

What was your expectation?

Burch – I wasn’t here last year, but I heard the ones last year were pretty funny. Ross did an awesome job with the game-show theme.
Parke – I was a little bit nervous. I didn’t want a long script. I knew I’d take multiple takes. It was just a little bit of acting and selling the line. It was pretty cool. We did a lot of takes and it takes some time and you never know which one they’re taking. Gspurning is a star in the making.

What was Ross like to work with on the shoot?

Burch – He’s a funny guy. Every time I’ve met him, he’s got a smile on his face. I think that shows in the commercials. He looks good. His accent really helps him out. I think he plays the part really well.
Parke – He did a great job. He sold it well. He’s a goofball, it seems like. He’s clever and witty. It was good.
Rose – He had to be the Man of the Match. He was incredible. With the blue suit, he was pretty well set up for that role.