As Sounders FC prepares to host the LA Galaxy at Lumen Field this Sunday evening in a nationally televised match on FS1 (6:00 p.m. PT / 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM), the club today shared that the match will feature the on-field debut of Seattle’s new secondary jersey, The Jimi Hendrix Kit.
Unveiled to overwhelming support last month, the vibrant and original kit was designed to pay homage to legendary musical artist and Seattle native Jimi Hendrix, and quickly became both the fastest-selling jersey in club history and the fastest-selling kit in the history of MLSstore.com. Demand remains high, and fans wishing to purchase one of the special jerseys should visit the club’s Pro Shop locations to take advantage of the limited quantity of kits still available.
The uniform presents a bold look at first glance with its bright coloring and swirling psychedelic pattern, but also includes carefully crafted distinctive and meaningful details upon closer inspection, including a reproduction of Hendrix’s authentic signature stamped on the bottom left corner of each jersey front and neck tape featuring lyrics from his “Straight Ahead,” reproduced from his own handwritten copy of the song. The line reads, “We got to stand, side by side,” and signifies Sounders FC’s belief in the importance of coming together, both on the pitch as supporters, fans, players and coaches stand together on matchdays, but also in the community and as citizens of the wider world.
Additionally, the secondary kit features the logo of the Puyallup Tribe, an original steward of land throughout what is now known as the Puget Sound. The tribe and its Emerald Queen Casino recently signed a multi-year partnership with the Rave Green, including EQC logo placement on the team’s primary jersey and the Puyallup Tribe logo placement on the secondary jersey.
As a result of jersey sales, Sounders FC and the Puyallup Tribe’s Emerald Queen Casino will donate $50,000 across five local nonprofits in alignment with Sounders FC’s Social Justice Framework: ensuring that The Jimi Hendrix Kit has purpose beyond the pitch. Nonprofits served were the Jimi Hendrix Park Foundation, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM), RAVE Foundation and the Tacoma Public Schools Indian Education Program.
At the match this Sunday, fans in attendance or those stopping by the Lumen Field Pro Shop can pick up the “Item of the Match,” which is the club’s Jimi Hendrix Scarf. The scarf’s design features the same bold colors seen throughout the kit, with a pattern inspired by the guitar strap Hendrix wore at his famous 1969 Woodstock performance.
Following a road draw on Saturday at LAFC, Sounders FC (1-0-1, 4 points) continues its 2021 campaign on Sunday, May 2 against the LA Galaxy (2-0-0, 6 points). The matchup pits two unbeaten Western Conference sides against each other in a dynamic early-season fixture, before the team hits the road to take on archrival Portland on Sunday, May 9.
