Many Sounder at Heart readers are season ticket members, probably a vast majority. You're going to go to the games. You are going to hope for victory. You are going to sing and cheer and chant and cry.
And sometimes the team loses. Sometimes the team loses seven in a row – but only two at home.
There are still ways to have a great time. It's a Seattle summer. Use the soccer as excuse to enjoy your day, even if the soccer is -14 in the last seven.
Pregame at a new location
We all have our traditions, but the Seattle Sounders tradition is winning. They've abandoned that. It's time for you to shift your pregame. Discover a new champagne bar, a new brewery, a new winery, a new pub, an old pub re-imagined. Pioneer Square is in middle of revitalizing. Take advantage of its climb back to glory.
March to the Match again
It's been going for 21 years and it is your turn to go back. Join dozens, hundreds or maybe even thousands to march again. The sound of those steps and chants are invigorating. You'll see old friends and new.
Pick up the songs of Sounders
Inside the stadium there are many traditions. All are better with more of the stadium. None of the songs are that complex. These aren't choirs. ECS and the fandom are powered by faith and passion. Sing with us.
Meet your neighbor
Forget the Seattle Freeze. Matchday is 🎶 a Sounders unity 🎶
Especially during these Leagues Cup matches you can meet new people. Learn their other hobbies. Learn their stories. Share yours. Make friends that last lifetimes.
Find a new vantage point
Tucked around the stadium are various stand-and-watch points. The Cityside bars are one of my favorites, but it's not the only space to take a pause and enjoy a different view of the stadium. Or just walk the inner concourse. Back when Gary Wright was leading the culture of the team he did this every match.
Find a new post-game tradition
See above about pregaming. But postgaming, especially with a midday Sunday game, doesn’t require rushing home. You're already downtown. Walk the waterfront. Play games in Pioneer Square. Visit the International District. Grab an ice cream. Walk on a ferry to Alki.
The bad days are going to get better. 🎼 by Dirty Heads, who are in the area Thursday with my favorite band.
Use our affiliate links to support your bloggers when buying merch and tickets.
Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here's what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next match: Sunday hosting Querétaro at 12:30 pm PT (THIS IS A CHANGE from the original time slot) on Apple TV.
Querétaro was the 12th best team in Liga MX in 2025.
- Once they created memories, now Sounders fulfill obligations
- Hugh Weber leaves Sounders for NHL's Oilers
- Sounders still negotiating to acquire Casper Tengstedt
- Sounders reportedly targeting Senegalese forward
- More like To-lose-ca: Sounders dominated on road
- Everything you need to know about Sounders in Leagues Cup
This newsletter was made possible through the support of Full Pull Wines, a boutique wines reseller that has been sponsoring us since 2011.
Reign
Next match: Sunday hosting Angel City FC at 6 pm PT on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and 950 KJR AM Seattle.
- Training Notes: Seattle Reign's newfound scoring touch
- The Cooler Guild: Bay schooled by Fishes
- NWSL will kick off 2027 earlier than ever
Defiance
Next match: Saturday at North Texas at 5:45 pm PT on OneFootball and YouTube.
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
NWSL and women's soccer
- What effect did the 2026 men’s World Cup have on NWSL attendance? (The Cutback)
- NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman talks 2027 calendar, media rights deal and weather protocol (Yahoo Sports)
- Player fines continue under NWSL’s footwear sponsorship policy as union files grievance (Yahoo Sports)
- Racing Louisville owner seeks new investment, says relocation not off the table" (New York Times)
- New 'Ted Lasso' season features NWSL's Kansas City Current as plot point (ESPN)
MLS and men's soccer
- New commissioner Berg on the MLS he's inheriting: 'There's so much upside left' (New York Times)
- San Jose hires ex-Portland executive Wilkinson as consultant (ESPN)
- Spain's sports minister says country 'deserves' to host 2030 World Cup final, not Morocco (ESPN)
- African football backs FIFA’s Infantino (Semafor) Argentina and Mexico also express support for the embattled president.
- USMNT star Malik Tillman says Balogun red card ban should have stood (USAToday)
Stuff I want you to read
Eastern Washington wildfire relief
Our thoughts are with everyone in Spokane and across Eastern Washington who have been impacted by the wildfires. Looking to support the families and communities who have been displaced? Here are four donation options:
City of Spokane’s H.O.M.E. Starts Here Fund: Donations go directly to supporting services for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Innovia Foundation's Wildfire Emergency Response Fund: 100% of donations go directly to support local nonprofit organizations providing food, shelter, and recovery supplies.
The Cedar Fund of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation launched a Wildfire Recovery Campaign to support communities impacted by wildfires on the Colville Indian Reservation.
Spokanimal is looking for donations to buy pet food, blankets and towels. The organization has already taken in more than 100 displaced animals at no cost.
