Disappointing performance in front of record crowd provokes collaborative management decision
RENTON, Wash. - The Seattle Sounders FC announced today that a refund for Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Galaxy will be issued to season ticket holders in the form of credit towards 2011 season tickets.
Sounders FC allowed four goals for the first time at home in club history as the Galaxy won 4-0 in front of a franchise record crowd of 36,273 on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. It was only the second time the club has allowed more than one goal at home in a league match.
"That wasn't Sounders soccer and it was quite frankly embarrassing, humiliating and the fans don't deserve that," said Sounders FC owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer. "The refund will come in the form of a credit against next year's season tickets. We want our fans committed for the long haul and we think this is the right thing to do for our fans."
"As the owners of the club we reserve the right to do whatever we think we need to do to treat our fans the way they've treated us."
In its inaugural season, Sounders FC capped season tickets at 22,000 and averaged 30,943 fans per match, establishing a new MLS record for highest fan average per match. This season 32,000 Sounders FC season tickets were sold at a 96 percent renewal rate with a league-high average attendance of 36,144 over five games.
"I think it is a fair tribute to our fans," said Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid in reaction to the decision. "I said to the team today that the fans support throughout the game and the way they remained and they supported us after the game was phenomenal."
"I think the organization has made all the right marketing decisions and all the right moves and they feel that this is what is needed to show our fans we are appreciative of what they do week in and week out."
Click hereto read more about yesterday's match
