As Sounders FC prepares to return to action against the Montreal Impact on Saturday, March 31 at CenturyLink Field in a 7:00 p.m. PT kickoff, the team encourages fans to arrive early to take part in honoring the life and career of Thomas Webb, a longtime referee and member of the Washington soccer community.
Webb, originally born in England, emigrated to the United States in 1966 and wasted no time involving himself in growing the sport of soccer. He served as the president of Bellevue Soccer Club in 1969 and within a few years was serving as the president of Washington State Soccer Association, while also helping elevate Bellevue High School’s soccer program to full varsity designation and achieving his C & B Coaching and Referee licensing for NASL and ASL. Among his many appointments serving soccer in its burgeoning era in the United States, Webb also served as the vice president of the U.S. Soccer Federation and chairman of the U.S. Soccer Federation’s National Referees Committee.
Webb coached youth soccer for 15 years and served as a referee at the professional levels, including serving as an on-field official for the final NASL Sounders match at Memorial Stadium and the first match in the Kingdome.
In 1987, Webb was inducted into U.S. Soccer’s National Soccer Hall of Fame on the builder ballot, recognizing the impact he had in the soccer community in a non-playing role while having a major, sustained positive impact on American soccer. He was further honored by the Federation in 1995, when he was presented the Eddie Pearson Award, which is presented to an individual from the referee community who displays distinguished contributions to the U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program and has been involved with the program for at least 20 years.
Webb is also a member of the Washington Youth Soccer Association Hall of Fame (2003) and in 2016 was named among the top 50 Washington State Soccer Citizens over the last 50 years.
TRAFFIC NOTE: In addition to arriving early to thank Webb, fans and members of the media are also reminded that Saturday is a busy day in the SoDo area, as the Seattle Mariners have a 1:10 p.m. PT first pitch scheduled against the Cleveland Indians and ODESZA wraps up a three-night concert series with a show at WaMu Theater at 8:00 p.m. PT. Those planning on attending Sounders FC’s match should keep in mind that traffic and parking around Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field will be affected.
It is recommended that media utilize Fourth Avenue to access the CenturyLink Field parking garage via the Royal Brougham Way ramp due to heavy pedestrian traffic on First Avenue near the stadiums as the Mariners game ends. Early arrivals to CenturyLink Field are encouraged to avoid congestion issues.
For additional details regarding traffic alerts, matchday transportation options and maps, please visit SoundersFC.com/Matchday/Transportation/Guide. Sounders FC’s social media channels also continue to provide up-to-date information for media and fans as needed.
