Attending a Seattle Sounders match is a family affair.
From engaging in pre-match activities, to cheering on your favorite team, the Rave Green experience at Lumen Field creates memories that build the foundation for lifelong family fandom.
In the lead-up to Youth Match on Aug. 24, SoundersFC.com Staff reached out to Sammy’s Squad members to hear their perspectives on Sounders matchdays and what it means to them to share their love for the team and the sport with their kids.
One member described attending games as a way to “unite” their big family with “lots of different interests.”
What makes Sounders matchdays even more special is the traditions that come with attending as a family. Whether it be the parents passing down matchday rituals that influenced their own fandom, or building new ones with their kids, Sounders matchdays create a sense of togetherness that leaves a significant mark on those who fully immerse themselves in the experience.
“We wear our jerseys on match day, sing along with the chants, and talk about the game on the way home,” said another Sammy’s Squad member. “Attending matches together is our way of bonding—win or lose, it’s time we set aside to connect, cheer, and be part of the Sounders family.”
Kids Day Kickoff (vs. Sporting Kansas City)
Come out to Lumen Field to watch the Sounders FC take on Sporting Kansas City with this special ticket offer. For just $40 + Taxes & Fees, get two tickets & two hot dogs for the match.
Kickoff at 6:00 p.m. PT on August 24.
No matter if you're from the Pacific Northwest or moved to the area after growing up elsewhere, the Sounders provide an opportunity for soccer fans worldwide to go back to their roots and embrace the culture and environment that is ingrained in the sport. A Sammy Squad member originally from West Africa said that going to Sounders matches has been a way to “pass down a piece of her childhood” to her wife and daughters.
“Growing up in The Gambia, soccer was the heartbeat of my community—it was how we connected, celebrated, and even found hope,” she said. “When I moved to the U.S. and became a citizen, I wanted my daughters and my wife to feel that same energy and belonging. [Sounders matches] have become our own family tradition, with green and blue replacing the colors I grew up with, but the passion staying exactly the same.”
Parents who had not grown up playing or watching soccer discovered an affinity for the Sounders and the sport through their children.
“Our son is the one who made us Sounders fans,” said one Sammy's Squad member. “Before moving to Washington 4 years ago, we never watched soccer, and now it's a part of our lives, and Sounders have helped infuse this into our family. Attending the matches allows our son to enjoy the game he loves, while also learning about the sport.”
A Sounders matchday at Lumen Field is about more than just watching soccer. It is a place where families can come together as one and enter an even larger family that is the Rave Green.
“It’s about being part of a community where every goal is celebrated with complete strangers who instantly feel like family,” said a Sammy's Squad member. “The Sounders bring us together, and that’s something we’ll always cherish.”
Families can experience the magic of a matchday at an even higher level on Sunday evening with the addition of special festivities and activations dedicated to the Sounders' youngest fans. For more information on what's in store for our Youth Match vs. Sporting Kansas City, click HERE.
