Both supporters and players alike enjoy the yearly event that brings both parties together.
Which Sounders FC player is the snappiest dresser? What is their favorite city to visit on the road? Who is the most superstitious? What do the new jerseys look like?
Find out all those all those things and more at the fourth annual Sounders FC Kickoff Luncheon where fans will have the opportunity to meet their favorite Sounders FC players, coaches and team executives.
Each year, fans join the Sounders as they recap the previous year and prepare for the forthcoming season. They will be introduced to the new additions to the club, as well as the returning players, sharing a meal with two players, coaches and executives at each table.
While at CenturyLink Field, fans are also invited to stop by the newly renovated Pro Shop, where the team will have all of the latest gear, including the long-awaited 2013 kits, which will be unveiled on Wednesday night.
For as great an experience as it is for the fans, it is also a great chance for the players to get to know some of the people who support them each week at CenturyLink Field.
“It’s great for the fans to come because they get a chance to sit down and talk to the players – especially the new guys, whose names they’ve heard but they haven’t really met and seen,” Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid said.
One of those new players last year was Austrian goalkeeper Michael Gspurning. After preseason trips to Arizona and Florida, he was anxious for the opportunity to play at home and meet the fans who would be packing the stadium each week. The Kickoff Luncheon was the perfect venue for that to take place.
“It was a great experience for me because I saw how professional the Sounders were working and how seriously the staff and the organization take the opportunity to meet the fans and for the fans to meet the players,” said Gspurning.
The Kickoff Luncheon runs from 12:30-1:45 pm on Thursday. It will be preceded by a Sounders FC training session that will be open to luncheon attendees from 11-11:30 and a question and answer session with members of the front office.
“It’s the least we can do to say thank you for the great support we get the whole season,” Gspurning said. “It was great food last year, so I’m sure it will be great food this year too.”
Tables of 10 include eight guests, plus two Sounders FC personnel (players, coaches, or team executives). Each table costs $800 and individual tickets are available for $100.
Proceeds from the Kickoff Luncheon ticket sales and silent auction will benefit the five Sounders FC charity partners including: America SCORES Seattle, Boys & Girls Clubs (King Co. & Bellevue), Special Olympics Washington, Washington Global Health Alliance and Washington Youth Soccer.
For more information visit //www.soundersfc.com/kickoffluncheon.
