Picture this: you’re surrounded by people who all share your passion. You hear the thunderous sounds of drumming and the sharp sounds of vuvuzelas. The sound wave is playing, and all around you, people are smiling unless the referee makes a bad call. Fans scream, whistles blow, players sprint, pass and shoot. Behind this cacophony of action and noise is the continuous chant “Fight and win! Fight and win!”
Come on, Seattle. Come to a Sounders match. Come watch the world’s greatest game and witness it at the highest level possible in the United States. Come make memories you will never forget, and who knows, maybe you’ll want to come back.
Junior Rowan Sim instantly identified Boom Boom Clap as his favorite Sounders tradition.
“The entire stadium gets up and welcomes the players onto the field by clapping with a huge drum in the supporters section. It’s really cool,” Sim said.
Soccer in the United States has historically struggled to compete for the public’s attention. When competing with baseball, also known as “America’s pastime,” and football, the modern incarnation of gladiator fights, it can be difficult. But to me, baseball is boring while football is brutish. I would rather watch soccer, and America is starting to agree.
According to Forbes, 37% of Americans aged 18+ now consider themselves soccer fans, but the beautiful game deserves more. That’s where you come in.
Throughout a season you have 17 opportunities to see the Sounders compete at home in one of the world’s largest stadiums: Lumen Field. The only problem is that Lumen Field is never full. That is why the Sounder FC has instituted the “First Match on Us” policy. According to the Seattle Sounders website, this policy targets fans who are new to Seattle and looking for a team, new to soccer and hoping to learn from the pros, or just curious about the Seattle Sounders. No matter who you are, the “First Match on Us” program is a fantastic opportunity.
“The best way to get people into soccer is to actually be able to experience the traditions and fan culture that comes with it,” Sim said. “It’s just a fun experience and a good way to get more people involved especially before the world cup in Seattle.”
Go visit the Seattle Sounders website to see how it works. Hope to see you at a game soon!
