How to become the Sounders’ new FIFA pro

Seattle Sounders FC announced the details for the 2018 Esports Open Qualifiers, which will determine who will be the club’s new FIFA esports representative. The player who eventually earns the honor will represent the club in competitive FIFA events, namely the eMLS Cup, an official qualifier for EA SPORTS’ FIFA 19 Global Series Playoffs.

This is the Sounders’ second year participating in FIFA esports. Last year’s Sounders player, Jason “Flickify” Flick, failed to make it past the preliminary rounds of the 2018 eMLS Cup.

The 2018 Sounders FC Esports Open Qualifiers will take place online in FIFA 19 for PlayStation 4 on November 14 and 15 at 8:00 PM PT each day. Register for either date here.

Esports Open Qualifiers eligibility requirements:

• Players must be FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) Champions Verified, a new mechanic in competitive FUT this year, to be eligible for the Qualifiers. To earn FUT Champions Verified status, a player must get 27 wins during a single FUT Champions Weekend League.
• Players must live within 75 miles of Seattle, or within the cities of Spokane or Bellingham.

The top 16 players from the two tournaments will advance to the Finals, which will be held on December 4 at The NINETY in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. Those 16 players will compete in a knockout-style tournament, and the winner will be named Sounders FC’s new esports representative.