SEATTLE, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC is celebrating the club’s second annual Pride Day on Saturday, June 25 during a nationally televised match against New York City FC (2:00 p.m. PT / ESPN, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM). In the first of Sounders FC’s five full-stadium matches of the season at CenturyLink Field, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray is set to receive a Golden Scarf during pre-match ceremonies along with other elements to promote messages of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer pride. Additionally, pride flags are being distributed to the first 50,000 fans upon entering the gates.
“We are looking forward to celebrating Seattle’s LGBTQ community on June 25, and we are equally excited to recognize Mayor Murray with a Golden Scarf,” said Sounders FC Owner Adrian Hanauer. “Pride is a central part of our city’s culture, and we’re eager to support the community surrounding our match against New York City FC.”
Sounders FC is proud to welcome Seattle Mayor Ed Murray to receive a Golden Scarf during a pre-match ceremony on June 25. The Aberdeen, Washington native was elected Mayor of Seattle in 2013, becoming the first openly gay mayoral leader of the Emerald City. Since 2009, Sounders FC has honored soccer tradition and community empowerment before select home matches by presenting a Golden Scarf to a group or individual who has made an impact in their community. Last year’s Pride Day featured a Golden Scarf presentation to Jason Collins, a 13-year NBA veteran who became one of the first openly gay athletes in in a major American team sport when he came out in a cover story for Sports Illustrated in 2013.
"I am humbled to be awarded the Sounders FC Golden Scarf as Seattle comes together to celebrate Pride," said Seattle Mayor Ed Murray. "The Sounders have been a tremendous ally in recognizing and embracing LGBTQ fans and athletes of all sports. It's an honor to join the festivities during this year's Pride Match, which is quickly turning into a Seattle and MLS tradition."
Other matchday festivities include a giveaway of 50,000 pride flags to fans upon entering the gates, while Sounders FC captain Brad Evans is once again set to wear a Pride-themed armband throughout the match against New York City FC (Editor’s note:Images of the armband from last season’s Pride Match can be found in the media resources section above). Further activities surrounding the match and the week leading-up to the nationally televised contest are being announced at a later date.
Sounders FC has proven to be a dominant host when playing in front of large crowds on its home turf. With crowds surpassing 45,000 or more, Sounders FC holds a record of 15-2-3, including postseason play. The June 25 match is Seattle’s first of five full-stadium matches in 2016, with the CenturyLink Field’s full capacity open for New York City FC’s first MLS visit to the Emerald City. Single-match tickets for the contest are now available via SoundersFC.com, while five-match packs for all full-stadium games are also available on the club’s official website or by calling (877) MLS-GOAL. Starting at $25 per seat, the five-match pack includes tickets to each of the full-stadium fixtures for the best possible value.
As part of a promotion with the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA), the largest LGBT and allied chamber of commerce in North America, fans can purchase tickets to Pride Day for $22, with $3 going back to the GSBA Scholarship Fund. Sounders FC has committed to match up to $5,000 of the funds raised to support GSBA Scholars. Those interested can take advantage of this promotion via the following link: http://sndrs.com/qyll and using the code “GSBA16” at checkout.
Seattle Sounders FC (5-7-1, 16 points) returns from a two-week break in action to take on the Kitsap Pumas in the Fourth Round of the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, June 15 (7:30 p.m. PT / Live-streamed on SoundersFC.com, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM). The Rave Green then return to MLS regular season play on Sunday, June 19 with a nationally televised road match against the New York Red Bulls (4:30 p.m. PT / FS1, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM).
