SEATTLE, WASH. - Building upon the excitement exhibited throughout the Puget Sound region during the Western Conference Championship series, Sounders FC today announced a number of continuing civic activations scheduled to take place in the week leading up to the club's first appearance in MLS Cup.
Even as the club goes on the road to face Toronto FC, the Seattle area remains engaged, as a wide variety of community institutions are once again joining with Sounders FC to spread excitement and pride.
A friendly intercity wager between Seattle's Mayor Ed Murray and Toronto's Mayor John Tory highlights the week's festivities, with the two government leaders coming together to put belief in their respective teams on display.
GOVERNMENT ACTIVATIONS
- Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and Toronto Mayor John Tory are finalizing details surrounding a friendly intercity wager. Mayor Murray has previously won a Super Bowl wager and is looking forward to adding an MLS Cup on December 10.
Specific details of the wager are set to be released in the coming days. Media may direct questions to Press Secretary Will Lemke at 206-684-7991 or william.lemke@seattle.gov. - The King County Administration Building is hoisting a Sounders FC flag at noon on Friday, December 9. The flag raising is hosted by King County Deputy Executive Fred Jarrett.
Media interested in covering the event should meet at the King County Administration Building on the west side of the Plaza, located at 500 4th Avenue and accessible from either James Street or Jefferson Street. - The City of Tukwila displayed its pride in being the home of Sounders FC's Starfire Sports training facility by taking action at its City Council meeting on Monday, December 5. Council members and government officials wearing Sounders FC scarves clothing were on-hand as Mayor Allan Eckberg delivered a proclamation declaring Saturday, December 10 as "Seattle Sounders FC Spirit Day" in the City of Tukwila.
Media interested in obtaining photographs from the event should contact Brandon Miles at 206-431-3684 or brandon.miles@tukwilaWA.gov.
TRAVEL ACTIVATIONS
- Delta Air Lines, the Official Airline of Sounders FC, is brightening travel for Sounders FC fans with several activations set to take place during Cup Week.
Any Delta customers wearing Sounders FC gear from Wednesday, December 7 through Saturday, December 10 can plan to receive complimentary priority boarding, as Delta encourages passengers to show their Sounders pride.
16 green and white balloon columns are to be erected at Sea-Tac on Wednesday, December 7 and these will remain in place through the duration of the week, with four columns greeting fans at check-in and six additional gates decorated.
In addition, customers on Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10 can look forward to special Sounders-themed Top Pot doughnuts handed out at the aforementioned decorated departure gates.
COMMUNITY ACTIVATIONS
- Pike Place Market, one of Seattle's most iconic and well-trafficked locations proudly displays its support for Sounders FC as Market celebrity Rachel the Piggy Bank plans to don a Sounders FC scarf on Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10.
Sounders fans are encouraged to help bring good luck to their hometown team by stopping by to take advantage of the area legend that promises luck to those who rub Rachel's snout and make a donation.
All donations to Rachel help support social services in Pike Place Market, so fans can give to a good cause while bringing luck to Sounders FC and capturing one-of-a-kind photographs. - Starbucks supports longtime partner Sounders FC in the team's first MLS Cup appearance by flying a giant Sounders FC flag atop their global headquarters starting on Friday, December 9.
- Washington State Ferries from Seattle to both Bainbridge Island and Bremerton are flying Sounders FC flags on Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10 in advance of the Cup match against Toronto FC.
- Woodland Park Zoo and Seattle Aquarium each continue their support of the Rave Green with resident of both land and sea checking in throughout the week to provide social support via @woodlandparkzoo and @seattleaquarium.
LIGHTING ACTIVATIONS
- The Space Needle takes on a fresh look as it lights up Rave Green on Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10.
- Columbia Center is set to shine Rave Green in support of its hometown team on Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10.
- The Seattle Great Wheel has a special, all-new Sounders-themed light show planned for the evenings of Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10 courtesy of engineer Gerry Hall.
- Pacific Science Center plans to light its arches Rave Green on Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10.
- CenturyLink Field and its recognizable arches are scheduled to light Rave Green on Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10.
- CHI Franciscan Health is set to light-up Tacoma's St. Joseph's Medical Center Rave Green starting Wednesday, December 7.
Sounders FC staged an unprecedented comeback on its way to play for MLS' highest honor, moving from ninth place inthe Western Conference in August to earning a Knockout Round playoff position in the final match of the regular season. In the postseason, Brian Schmetzer's side first defeated Sporting Kansas City to move on to face FC Dallas in the two-match Conference Semifinals, where the Rave Green came away with a 4-2 aggregate victory.
Last week, the team took on the Colorado Rapids in the Conference Championship series and punched a ticket to MLS Cup with a 3-1 aggregate triumph.
Following a wild second-leg match against Montreal, Toronto FC secured a 7-5 aggregate win for the Eastern Conference Championship and, in doing so, became the host site for MLS Cup.
Seattle takes on Toronto at BMO Field on Saturday, December 10 (5:00 p.m. PT / FOX, UniMás, TSN, RDS, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM). MLS Cup is a winner-take-all match hosted by the team with the most regular-season points. Away goals are not weighted and, given a tie at the end of regulation play, the teams play two 15-minute periods of extra time that is followed by penalty kicks, if necessary, to determine the winner.
