Sounders FC, Starbucks and Washington Youth Soccer Launch Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass

SOUNDERS FC RELEASE 

SOUNDERS FC, STARBUCKS AND WASHINGTON YOUTH SOCCER

LAUNCH WASHINGTON YOUTH SOCCER MATCH PASS TO

CELEBRATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF SOCCER ACROSS THE

EVERGREEN STATE

First-of-its-kind statewide initiative gives more than 90,000 registered Washington Youth Soccer athletes

access to complimentary tickets for select Sounders FC matches during the 2026 season; Initiative

begins with Sounders FC’s July 16 home match vs. Portland and runs across the club’s final 12 home

fixtures of 2026

For Immediate Release: May 28, 2026

Contact: Alex Caulfield (206-512-1225), Matt Winter (206-512-1215), Kevin Kay (206-677-0774)

RENTON, WASH. – Sounders FC, in partnership with Starbucks and Washington Youth Soccer, today

announced the launch of the Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass, a first-of-its-kind statewide

initiative designed to inspire the next generation of young athletes across the Evergreen State. As the

sport reaches a defining moment across North America, the Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass

invites every registered Washington Youth Soccer athlete aged 18 and under to receive a

complimentary ticket to select home matches this season, connecting young players and their families

across Washington to the heart of Sounders FC matchdays and Pacific Northwest soccer culture.

More than a ticket initiative, the Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass is rooted in a shared belief that

soccer belongs to everyone who plays it. With over 90,000 registered Washington Youth Soccer

athletes eligible for the program – which includes access to additional discounted tickets for friends

and family members – the Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass celebrates those that continue to

shape the sport’s strong foundation across the state. Coming at a significant moment for soccer in the

region, with Seattle hosting six matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer, Sounders FC and

its partners are joining together to invest in the players, families, clubs and communities that fuel the

game year-round.

“The Washington Youth Soccer Match Pass is about recognizing that every young player across

Washington is already part of the story of this club,” said Sounders FC President of Business Operations

Hugh Weber. “The Sounders are not just Seattle’s club – it’s Washington’s soccer club. Many of the

players who wear our crest today, including Jordan Morris, Paul Rothrock and Jackson Ragen, grew up

playing in Washington Youth Soccer. Their journeys are proof that the connection between local soccer

communities and Sounders FC is real, lasting and deeply rooted.”

The program is available for the Rave Green’s final 12 MLS regular-season and Leagues Cup home

matches of the 2026 campaign, beginning with Seattle’s first contest after the 2026 FIFA World Cup

break against archrival Portland Timbers on Thursday, July 16 (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, FS1,

iHeartMedia Seattle, El Rey 1360 AM). Eligible Washington Youth Soccer athletes can access the offer

through a dedicated online portal using their Athlete ID.

With Seattle as its hometown, Starbucks is deeply rooted in communities across Washington and beyond.

Starbucks serves as the initiative’s founding partner to make professional soccer more accessible for

families throughout the season. A longtime Sounders FC partner, Starbucks joins the club in its

commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for youth athletes and their families across Washington,

reinforcing shared values of community, connection and access to the game.

“We are proud to partner with Sounders FC and Washington Youth Soccer to expand our support for

youth soccer across our hometown of Seattle and communities across Washington,” said Starbucks

Senior Vice President of Global Marketing Erin Silvoy. “At Starbucks, we believe sports are a powerful

force for connection, that brings people together through shared rituals and moments of joy. By helping

more youth experience soccer first-hand, we hope to inspire the next generation while supporting the

athletes, coaches and families who make our communities stronger.”

Founded in 1961, Washington Youth Soccer is one of the region’s leading youth sports organizations,

helping shape generations of players and families through recreational and competitive opportunities

across the state for more than 60 years. Affiliated with U.S. Youth Soccer, U.S. Soccer and FIFA,

Washington Youth Soccer works alongside nearly 200 member clubs and local associations to help grow

and strengthen the game at every level, creating accessible pathways and enriching experiences for

youth athletes and their families throughout Washington.

”We see this partnership as a catalyst to inspire the next generation of youth soccer players,” said

Washington Youth Soccer Executive Director Roger Levesque. “There is something unique about

attending a Sounders match at Lumen Field – the sights, sounds and world-class soccer all contribute to

a goose bump-inducing experience. But the true inspiration comes from living the highs and lows of a

match together, alongside family, friends and thousands of fans, who for 90 minutes, are all on the same

team. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with Sounders FC and Starbucks to bring this

experience and the joy of soccer to the Washington Youth Soccer community.”

MLS is currently amid an extended break from play for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, with Seattle returning

to action on Thursday, July 16 against the Portland Timbers on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at

Lumen Field (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, iHeartMedia Seattle, El Rey 1360 AM).

ABOUT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

Born in 1974 and a member of Major League Soccer since 2009, Seattle Sounders FC is one of North

America’s leading professional soccer organizations. The club has captured nine major trophies since its

inaugural MLS season, and following its Leagues Cup victory in 2025, Seattle became the first team in

U.S. soccer history to win every major competition (Concacaf Champions Cup, MLS Cup, Supporters’

Shield, U.S. Open Cup, Leagues Cup). Since the club’s MLS debut, Sounders fans have set the standard

for soccer support in North America, leading the league in attendance for eight-consecutive seasons

(2009-2016), routinely ranking in the global top 30 among all professional clubs and never finishing

outside of MLS’ top three.

ABOUT STARBUCKS

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to responsibly sourcing and roasting hi-

quality arabica coffee. Today, with a global footprint of more than 41,000 company-operated and licensed

coffeehouses and a growing presence in consumer-packaged goods, we are the world’s premier purveyor

of specialty coffee. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we

bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the

experience, please visit us in our stores or online at about.starbucks.com or www.starbucks.com.

ABOUT WASHINGTON YOUTH SOCCER

Washington Youth Soccer (WYS) is the largest youth sports organization in Washington State, serving

more than 90,000 players through a network of over 200 member associations and clubs statewide. WYS

is committed to fostering the physical, mental, and emotional growth of youth through the game of soccer

by creating opportunities for players of all backgrounds and ability levels to learn, compete, and thrive.

Through leagues, tournaments, player development programs, coaching education, community

partnerships, and initiatives supported by the Washington Youth Soccer Foundation, WYS works to grow

the game and create meaningful experiences for young athletes across Washington.