Seattle, WA

• Soccer in Seattle
• About the Stadiums
• About Seattle, WA

When it comes to soccer, the city of Seattle serves up a venti cup of talent. They are represented in Major League Soccer by the Seattle Sounders FC, winners of the 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Their rich professional history dates back to 1974 when the Sounders played in the North American Soccer League and the Sounders franchises have won four league cups in their 35 year history.

Comedian Drew Carey is a minority owner of the MLS team. At his request, the Sounders FC became the only professional sports team in the United States to have its own marching band - Sound Wave. Before each game, the Sound Wave leads fans in the "March to the Match" from Occidental Park to Qwest Field with the club's supporters singing and chanting as they march to the stadium.

Goalkeepers Marcus Hahnemann and Kasey Keller, who have played in both the U.S. and Europe, are among the great talents from Seattle.

Husky Stadium

Completed in 1920, Husky Stadium is located on the campus of the University of Washington in Seattle.

With a seating capacity of 72,500, the stadium has played host to the Washington Huskies (NCAA) since 1920.

In addition, the stadium was a primary venue for the 1990 Goodwill Games, where the crowd saw an address by President Ronald Reagan, as well as an address by Arnold Schwarzenegger, and a performance by the Moody Blues.

The stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the track & field competition.

Husky Stadium is served by Metro buses and boat shuttles.

Qwest Field

Completed in 2002, Qwest Field is located in Seattle.

With a seating capacity of 67,000, the stadium has played host to the Seattle Seahawks (NFL) since 2002 and the Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) since 2009. The MLS club draws a league-high average attendance of 30,739 per game and has sold out each of its home matches.

Sounders FC hosted a pair of international friendlies against Chelsea and FC Barcelona that drew crowds of 65,289 and 66,848 (a Washington state record), respectively. But that wasn't the first time Qwest hosted world-class soccer. In 2006, 66,830 saw DC United face Real Madrid and 66,722 were there when Manchester United squared off with Celtic in 2003.

Local and regional buses service the area with stops within three blocks of the stadium and commuter rail running between Tacoma and Everett operates every Sunday Seahawks game with service to nearby King Street Station.

Seattle is anything but ordinary.

Everything has its own distinct Northwest flavor, while also giving a sense of familiarity, no matter where you call home.

Very few places can lay the claim that they are one hour from sailing on the ocean or skiing in the mountains - but Seattle is among the most majestic.

The birthplace of grunge rock, Seattle is also the home of the likes of Quincy Jones, Jimi Hendrix and Kenny G, among other wide-ranging artists.

Your visit to Seattle may bring you the sound of an orca blowing as it surfaces, the roar of the crowd at Safeco Field or the near silence of the Olympic rainforest. Come to Seattle and hear for yourself.