Press Release

Sounders FC holds annual Pride Match this Saturday with variety of matchday activities celebrating inclusion and the LGBTQ+ community

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Sounders FC returns to the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field this Saturday for a home battle vs. Orlando City SC (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV – Watch Free, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360 AM). The match marks the Rave Green’s annual Pride Match, presented by Starbucks, which features a variety of special matchday activities celebrating inclusion as Sounders FC reaffirms its commitment to Stand for LGBTQ+ Equality, one of the four main tenets of the club’s Social Justice Framework.

Outside the stadium before the game, fans can stop by Occidental Square Park from 5:00-6:30 p.m. PT to enjoy SoundCheck, Sounders FC’s free pre-match programming held ahead of select home matches. SoundCheck provides free entertainment and activities for all ages in a festive, party-like atmosphere, including live music, food trucks, appearances by Sammy the Sounder and giveaways. This Saturday’s edition of SoundCheck includes music by Kate Dinsmore, a Seattle-based dynamic performer and vocalist who brings her singing and songwriting to the stage with undeniable presence. The featured food truck is Sam Choy’s Poke To The Max.

Stadium gates open at 6:00 p.m. PT on Saturday and fans wishing to take part in the Emerald City Supporters’ official March to Match are encouraged to join in as SoundCheck wraps up, with the march departing Occidental Square Park at 6:30 p.m. PT on its way to the stadium.

For fans arriving to the game and enjoying the atmosphere outside of Lumen Field before entering, Seattle-based band Kuinka is performing a special pre-match concert near the stadium’s southwest gate on Occidental Avenue from 6:00-7:30 p.m. PT. Described by NPR music as joyous folk-pop, Kuinka is said to lace modern folk and Americana with an electronic jolt.

Sounders FC encourages fans to utilize transit and alternative forms of transportation to attend matches. For those arriving by bicycle, a complimentary bike valet program presented by Providence is available, 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 is available 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.

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.

The first 5,000 fans entering the stadium can nab a free Pride-themed bag, courtesy of Starbucks.

At The Pro Shop at Lumen Field, fans can browse a wide selection of Sounders FC gear, such as replica Bruce Lee Kits – including women’s and youth – which have now been delivered by adidas and are freshly in stock. Additionally, the 2023 Pride-themed warmup tops, which will be worn by each MLS club at matches throughout the month of June in celebration of Pride, are on sale at the Pro Shop and MLSStore.com.

At Saturday’s match, Sounders FC, in partnership with RAVE Foundation, is also offering a limited-edition scarf. Emblazoned with the phrase “Protect Trans Kids,” Sounders FC is donating proceeds from this scarf to the club's partners at Trans Families. Donations of presale proceeds are also being matched by Starbucks, Sounders FC’s presenting partner of Pride. Trans Families supports trans and nonbinary children of all ages, their families and the providers, teachers and other professionals who want to make the world a better place for them. 

Once in the stadium on Wednesday, 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. 

Saturday’s featured North Plaza food trucks are Seoul Bowl, offering make-your-own healthy, fresh and colorful Korean BBQ bowls made from ethically farmed ingredients, and Pie Bar, serving up a delicious selection of sweet and savory pies.  

The PNW Marketplace features Frelard Tamales, specializing in handmade tamales using high-quality, fresh ingredients, and Zuri’s Gourmet Donutz, giving fans a chance for a sweet treat with a variety of unique doughnut flavors.

In celebration of Pride Month, Sounders FC and fellow Seattle professional sports teams are working with Intentionalist to encourage fans to #SpendLikeItMatters at LGBTQ+-owned businesses. Fans can upload receipts from any LGBTQ+-owned small business through the month of June and be entered to win a variety of prizes, including a pair of team-signed Protect Trans Kids scarves and a pair of tickets to a Sounders FC match.

In the North Plaza, fans will notice Lumen Field’s North Plaza stairs wrapped in Progress Pride colors in recognition of Pride. Fans in this area can also visit the Bud Light Zone, which features tailgate games and activities including giant Jenga, Connect 4 and more fun for guests of all ages. 

Additionally, Lumen Field’s Cityside Bar is hosting Tequila Herradura Happy Hour from 6:00-7:30 p.m. PT, where fans can enjoy $9 Tequila Herradura Sounderitas, play lawn games and enter for chances to win unique prizes.

Throughout the stadium, fans can explore and participate in a wide variety of activities, which on Saturday include:

•    The Providence Challenge – Fans can test their soccer and mental skills through three different activities at The Providence Challenge, as well as having the opportunity to take the Providence Pledge to promise to better their mental health. All participating fans will be entered to win an autographed Sounders FC jersey or a pair of tickets to an upcoming home match.

•    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.

•    Lumen Lens – This augmented reality photobooth places fans in photos with their favorite players, and on Saturday this activity will incorporate a Pride theme.

•   * 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.

Ahead of kickoff, two-time Grammy-nominated artist Mary Lambert is set to publicly debut her brand-new song, “The Tempest,” for the crowd. A gritty new Pride anthem about bodily autonomy, “The Tempest,” is being performed as part of a three-song pre-match performance medley, which also includes Lambert’s version of Macklemore’s multi-platinum song, “Same Love” – also known as “She Keeps Me Warm” – and Lambert’s hit, “Secrets.” The performance serves as a musical journey through Lambert’s queer identity, beginning with a tender proclamation of love to a celebration of her authentic self, and now her determination for collective liberation.

Lambert’s performance is also serving as a live taping for her official music video for “The Tempest.” Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 7:15 p.m. PT so as not to miss this special performance.

Following her performance, Lambert is performing Saturday’s national anthem.

The “Scarves Up!” moment this weekend is being led by Madison Huskey, a star player for the University of Washington’s softball team. Huskey is being honored as part of UW’s deep run in the College Softball World Series as well as her dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion. Huskey took part in the Athlete Ally Activism Summit and returned to UW for a fifth year in order to work with UW Athletics as a DEI intern. 

The evening’s Dream Team – the youth who walk out with each team’s starting lineup – includes a group of gender-diverse youth from Trans Families, and fans will notice Sounders FC wearing jerseys adorned with Pride-inspired numbers that were designed in collaboration with Athlete Ally. 

These jerseys, along with the Pride pre-match tops, are being auctioned off as part of an online matchday auction. Proceeds will benefit organizations that advocate for LGBTQ+ students, including Renton School District’s LGBTQ+ clubs and Athlete Ally, which champions LGBTQI+ athletes through sport. Funds raised are being matched by Providence as part of its commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community and youth mental health. This special auction is hosted in partnership with RAVE Foundation, the official charitable partner of Sounders FC, and fans can view items at Sounders.GiveSmart.com.

At halftime, students who took part in the Athlete Ally Activism Summit with Sounders FC are being honored on the field.

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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