Sounders FC closes out its regular season this Sunday with a Decision Day matchup against the San Jose Earthquakes on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field (1:30 p.m. PT / JOEtv, YouTube TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM). Fans are encouraged to arrive early to take advantage of the wide array of Fan Appreciation Day activities occurring before and throughout the important match.
Gates open at 12:00 p.m. PT, with the first 20,000 fans at the stadium to receive an exclusive Sounders FC smartphone ring stand holder, courtesy of presenting matchday sponsor Alcatel.
Pre-match, PwC is presenting YouthForce with a check for $15,500 as the recipient of PwC’s Goals for Success program. In Goals for Success, PwC pledges $500 for each Sounders FC home goal scored during the season, and YouthForce, a team internship program of the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, is this season’s selected charity.
Sounders FC is also honoring its various 2018 Humanitarian of the Year awardees before the game. As volunteerism and serving the community are core to the club, every year a number of individuals are selected by a panel of judges to acknowledge their dedication to those principles. This year, Humanitarian of the Year is presented to: Stefan Frei, Sounders FC First Team; David Estrada, Sounders FC 2; Sota Kitahara, Sounders FC Academy; Ryan Chang, Sounders FC Youth Club Partner Age 13-18; and Hailey and Ashley Butz, Sounders FC Youth Club Partners Age 12 and Under.
As previously announced, the club is paying tribute to the life of Paul Allen prior to the national anthem with a moment of silence. The team is also wearing special “PGA” initial patches on its jerseys in memory of the late Allen, who left an indelible mark on both Sounders FC and the entire Puget Sound region.
Just before kickoff, legendary Seattle SuperSonics Head Coach Lenny Wilkens leads the crowd in the “Scarves Up!” chant, and green and blue streamers will be released at the match’s opening.
At halftime, another check presentation is set to take place. This time, Washington Federal presents the funds raised through its Saves for Youth campaign, which donates $250 to RAVE Foundation for each Sounders FC save. RAVE Foundation is receiving a check for $25,000 from Washington Federal, representing all of the 2018 regular-season saves thus far. The funds will help RAVE Foundation continue its mission of building small, accessible soccer fields in urban areas to provide free play.
A number of exciting giveaways for fans are also scheduled to take place throughout the game, including:
- 27 Alcatel 3T Tablets, with a winning fan receiving their tablet every three minutes throughout the match, courtesy of presenting matchday sponsor Alcatel
- Seven $100 Delta gift cards, courtesy of Delta Air Lines
- 20 $25 Fred Meyer gift cards, courtesy of Fred Meyer
- 20 Stefan Frei-autographed Sounders FC throwback hats, courtesy of Washington Federal
- 20 Stefan Frei-autographed debit card poster artwork, courtesy of Washington Federal
- 20 Walt the Vault piggybanks, courtesy of Washington Federal
- One Xbox One S gaming console, courtesy of Xbox
- 12 Grey/Blue Special Edition Xbox wireless controllers, courtesy of Xbox
- 1,000 14-day Xbox Game Pass codes, courtesy of Xbox
In addition, Museum Quality Framing offers all Sounders fans the opportunity to receive 25% off any Posters by the People prints through November 30, 2018, using the code SOUNDERSFAN.
During the post-match ceremony, players thank fans with the traditional sharing of carnations and soccer balls, followed by a crowd address from team ownership. One special fan will also be honored with the presentation of the MatchPass Fan of the Year Award. This is the sixth season that Sounders FC has honored a Season Ticket Member with the coveted honor. The recipient receives a trip for two to a 2019 road match.
The opportunities for fans don’t end once the match has concluded, however. Season Ticket Members can once again take part in a Season Ticket Member Garage Sale in The Ninety postgame, where they have the opportunity to buy exclusive Sounders FC items ranging from jerseys to training gear to promotional items. All proceeds benefit the RAVE Foundation. Items are available on a first come, first served basis and are limited to five per member.
