Press Release

Sounders FC celebrates Earth Day and club's environmental commitment at this Saturday's "Protect Our Planet" match

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This Saturday, April 22, as Sounders FC faces Minnesota United FC on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV – Watch Free, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM), the Rave Green are celebrating Earth Day and the commitment to **Protect Our Planet**, one of the four pillars of the club’s Social Justice Framework.

Saturday marks a busy day in the Seattle metro area, with multiple sports teams hosting games and various events taking place across the city. Sounders fans are encouraged to arrive early and plan for possible extended travel times, with OL Reign at Lumen Field at 12:30 p.m. PT, the Mariners at T-Mobile Park at 6:30 p.m. PT and the Kraken hosting a playoff game at Climate Pledge Arena at 7:00 p.m. PT.

At Saturday’s match, one of the most noticeable features celebrating the environment is the kits being worn on the pitch. This weekend, all MLS clubs are wearing adidas **One Planet jerseys** as part of a continuing partnership between MLS and adidas to raise awareness and inspire action surrounding the impact of marine plastic waste. The uniforms are made from plastics intercepted from beaches, coastal communities and shorelines, preventing them from polluting the ocean. Once collected, the original plastic source is reworked into technical fibers that can then be repurposed for use in either apparel or footwear. The unique One Planet jerseys are available for purchase at MLSstore.com and through the Sounders FC Pro Shop at Lumen Field.

Sounders FC encourages fans to utilize alternate forms of transportation when attending matches, including public transit and cycling. For those arriving by bicycle, the Rave Green are offering a complimentary bike valet program presented by Providence, as Providence extends its green initiatives through its partnership with Sounders FC. As part of Providence’s vision of health for a better world, it is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to become carbon negative. Across the health system, Providence is making meaningful changes that have reduced emissions by 11.5 percent per year, compared to its 2019 baseline. More about Providence’s commitment to environmental stewardship and progress can be found here

The bike valet program kicks off on Saturday and continues at all of Sounders FC’s MLS regular-season matches through September 1. Located on Occidental Avenue near the north parking lot of the stadium, bicycles can be parked with the bike valet – operated by Cascade Bicycle club – starting two hours before kickoff and must be claimed no later than one hour after the final whistle. This Saturday, the first 100 people to check their bicycle with the valet receive a coupon for a free Full 90 Combo (two hot dogs, two waters, one popcorn) available at stadium concessions locations.

Stadium gates open at 6:00 p.m. PT on Saturday. Fans wishing to take part in the Emerald City Supporters’ official March to Match should gather in Occidental Square Park, with the march departing at 6:30 p.m. PT on its way to the stadium.

Fans are reminded that Sounders FC is partnering with CLEAR again this season to help entry into Lumen Field go quickly and smoothly. Just download the free CLEAR App, sign up and then enter through designated CLEAR lanes located at the northwest gates.

Once in the stadium, fans can enjoy the continuation of Sounders FC’s BIPOC and diverse-owned food truck and pop-up restaurants, presented by First & Goal Inc. and Levy. Curated by Intentionalist, these local small businesses align with Sounders FC’s social impact and cultural calendar, giving fans the opportunity to discover new culinary delights with food trucks in Lumen Field’s North Plaza and a pop-up restaurant location in Lumen Field’s PNW Marketplace concessions area, located in the east concourse outside of Section 113. In the month of April, featured businesses offer vegan / vegetarian options or focused on sustainability, in recognition of Earth Month and Sounders FC’s commitment to supporting environmental efforts.

Saturday’s featured North Plaza food trucks are Buddha Bruddah, serving hefty portions of delicious Hawaiian favorites like Kalua Pork and Huli Huli Chicken alongside Thai classics including Red Chicken Curry and Pad Thai, and Seoul Bowl, providing make-your-own, healthy, fresh, colorful and delicious Korean BBQ bowls made from ethically farmed ingredients. At the PNW Marketplace, Zuri’s Gourmet Donutz serves sweet treats with its creative and expansive donut menu.

Fans should also keep an eye out for Sammy the Sounder, who will be wandering throughout the stadium before the match with a Sounders FC Earth Day photo frame to help fans create a special memory for social media.

Sounders FC’s longtime partner, EarthGen, is onsite this weekend, with a space in Soccer Celebration - located in the northwest main concourse - where fans can learn ways to improve their communities through education and environmental action. Those stopping by can also take part in trivia and make environmental pledges to earn giveaway items.

Throughout the stadium, guests can purchase tickets for Sounders FC’s 50/50 raffle. New this year and taking place at every home match, 50/50 tickets are sold from the time gates open through the 50th minute of play. The fan with the winning ticket receives 50 percent of the total amount raised through the raffle sales of the match, with the other 50 percent benefiting RAVE Foundation, the official charitable partner of Sounders FC. The winning raffle number is announced between minute 70 and 80 each match and posted to RaveFoundation.org/5050, where more details and official rules can also be found. In celebration of this weekend’s match theme, EarthGen is the beneficiary of Saturday’s 50/50 raffle earnings.

Elsewhere in Soccer Celebration and the west concourse, a selection of games and activations can be found every match. On Saturday, these include:

•    Continental Tire Activities – Continental Tire is onsite with several opportunities for fans, including a Scarf Vending Machine that will distribute up to 500 free scarves to those who stop by and register via QR code or on provided iPads. Each registrant is also entered for a chance to win an autographed team soccer ball or a set of Continental tires. Additionally, fans can participate in a Rocket League 1v1 competition using Continental-branded RC cars, with competitors having three minutes to land a goal against their opponent.

•    Crossbar Challenge, Presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers – The first five fans to hit the crossbar in this interactive skills challenge earn a chance to take a kick on-field at halftime. If a fan hits a crossbar at halftime, Western Washington Toyota Dealers donates $1,000 to RAVE Foundation.

•    Sounders Penalty Kick – A digital activation where fans get five chances to score a goal against a virtual goalkeeper. 

•    Soccer Skee-ball – This activation allows fans to play a soccer-themed version of Skee-Ball, kicking a ball down a ramp, rather than rolling it, in order to score as many points as possible.

•    Soccer Billiards – Fans can play a soccer-themed version of pool, challenging a partner and kicking colored soccer balls into the oversized pool table pockets before their opponent does.

•    RAVE 2026 Kick Experience – Learn about RAVE Foundation’s 26 Fields by 2026 campaign and attempt to kick a soccer ball through a hole.

•   * FIFA Gaming Station –* Challenge an opponent to a friendly match of FIFA ’23.

•    Pose With A Pro – This augmented reality photobooth places fans in photos with their favorite players.

•    Sit & Soccer – A one-on-one table soccer game where fans attempt to outscore their opponent.

•    Scarves Up! Photo Activation – Raise a scarf and recreate the club’s iconic matchday moment in this new photobooth.

•    Sounders ‘Til I Die Instagram Wall – Themed photo opportunity for fans to grab the perfect social media shot.

Taking place before the match, Sounders FC is hosting Chinook Middle School’s Unique Forest Club, which meets weekly to build relationships with the land, between members, and within members. The Unique Forest Club provides a safe space for students of diverse cultures and genders, united by a love of nature. Club members are receiving an exclusive sustainability-focused tour of Lumen Field, including the stadium’s recycling center, sorting area, solar panels and Toyota Fan Deck. The students are further being recognized at the game as the RAVE Kids of the Match.

Fans should plan to be in seats ahead of kickoff to enjoy all of Sounders FC’s pre-match traditions, from Boom, Boom, Clap to player lineup announcements.

Saturday’s national anthem is being performed by matchday regular and fan favorite Jonathan Wright, with the traditional “Scarves Up!” moment led by students from Chinook Middle School’s Unique Forest Club, Mia Comitale and Nat MeKonnen, along with teacher and club sponsor Lisa Zander. 

Fans unable to attend Saturday’s match in person can watch the game for free on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries here.

For further information regarding any of the activities mentioned here, please contact a member of Sounders FC Communications. 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.

Single-match tickets for each of the club’s remaining MLS home matches are currently on sale. In addition, Sounders FC Season Memberships and Partial Season Ticket Packages are still available. To purchase single-match tickets or any other ticket packages, fans can call 877-657-4625 or email Sales@SoundersFC.com. Complete information on all Sounders FC ticket packages can be found via SoundersFC.com/Tickets.

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