There’s more to soccer culture than the professional game, which is why we’ve put together guides for each of MLS’ 19 markets. Whether you’re just dropping in on vacation or hitting the road with your fellow supporters, here’s the lowdown on what to do and how to do it.
SOCCER CULTURE
Soccer culture in Seattle is more than just hype. It's become an engrained part of the city. The attendance numbers (almost 40,000 fans per game on average) speak for themselves. This city loves its soccer, and is not afraid to show it.
WHERE TO PLAY
If you want to see an example of the extent to which the Emerald City has embraced the game, head out to Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila about 15 minutes south of downtown Seattle. Starfire is where the Sounders practice, and fans can often be seen crowded around to watch the team train. But it's also a gigantic soccer paradise, with 12 outdoor fields, an indoor facility and weight room. It's host to countless tournaments and games throughout the year at the youth and academy levels. If you want to get a firsthand look at the presence the sport has established – and maybe a kick a ball around yourself – Starfire is the place to check out.
LOCAL CUISINE
- Paseo's: After arguably the most controversial, grief-inducing closure of a restaurant in Seattle history, the legendary Caribbean sandwich shop is back in business – and back to cranking out the most delicious sandwiches in town.
- Delancey: Located in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood, this pizza joint is about as critically acclaimed as they come, making it a primetime locale for any Emerald City newcomers.
- Dick's Drive-In: If you're trying to eat for cheap but still get some pretty tasty grub, Dick's is Seattle's universally accepted top-notch quick-fix burger joint
- Honorable mentions:Molly Moon's (Ice Cream), Thai Tom, RockCreek
SOCCER BARS
- Pyramid Alehouse: Pyramid is just a block away from CenturyLink Field, meaning it's usually jam-packed with Sounders fans grabbing that crucial pregame pint before heading to the field.
- Merchants Café and Saloon: Many Sounders faithful can also regularly be found in abundance at this beer and food haven in Pioneer Square, another short jaunt from CenturyLink.
- Temple Billiards: If pre-game pool is something that sounds like you might be interested in, then this ECS partner is your spot, with plenty of food, drinks and billiards to go around.
WHERE TO VISIT
- Pike's Place Market: Cliché? Certainly. But Pike's Place is still the No. 1 tourist destination in Seattle, and if you've never been, then it's pretty much a requirement that you give a look to the world's most famous fish market before you head home.
- Space Needle: This is perhaps the only more cliché Seattle landmark than Pike's Place. But you can't argue with an icon. The Space Needle is synonymous with the city (it's even on the Sounders' logo) and gives you as pretty a panoramic view of anything as you'll ever want to find.
- EMP Museum: (shown above) Seattle is well known for its awesome museum scene. There are plenty of cool ones to choose from, but we'll give our last tourist spot nod to the EMP, which is located in the Seattle Center (right by the Space Needle) and centered around contemporary pop culture. Trust me, it's cool.
- Honorable mention: Woodland Park Zoo, Olympic Sculpture Park, Pacific Science Center
MATCHDAY
Led by the ECS fan group, the Sounders have developed one of the most unique match-day rituals in the league. It starts in the meat of the bars in downtown Pioneer Square, where fans rally, chant, sing and scream to get pumped themselves for the game. Then, they do a half-mile march to CenturyLink Field before settling into their designated section behind the south-end goal, known as the The Brougham End. It's there where they really make their mark, leading chants, songs and cheers – and busting out famously awesome tifo displays – throughout every game. This rabid dedication and commitment to tradition is what helps make the Sounders perennially the highest-attended team in the league and gives them an ever-dangerous home field advantage.
MATCHDAY TIPS:
If you've never been to a Sounders game and want to see what the hype is really all about, then there are three things you can do to maximize your experience:
- Head to Pioneer Square, grab some beers, eat some food, hang out, mingle with the fans.
- Do the march to stadium.
- Enjoy the show.
