Sounders partner with Latinos en Seattle
Club also partners with Washington State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Thursday, April 6, 2006
SEATTLE, WA -- The Seattle Sounders today announced a formal partnership with Latinos en Seattle for the 2006 season. The partnership will continue outreach efforts to the Hispanic community through the formation of a crowd involvement group, the Seattle Sounders Latinas Squad, as well as Sounders ticket offers made available through their official website www.LatinosenSeattle.com and the scouting of Hispanic soccer talent in the Puget Sound area. 
“I’m grateful for the interest the Seattle Sounders have taken in reaching the Latino community,” notes Germán Blanco, Co-founder of Latinos en Seattle. “With three Hispanic leagues in the Greater Seattle area, and over 100 teams, Latinos clearly love this sport. This partnership represents an opportunity for Latinos to enjoy the experience in a new way at Qwest Field, together with their families.”
“German Blanco and Latinos en Seattle have a great vision to reach Latinos in Seattle, and through our partnership, we hope to layer on elements related to the game of soccer,” said Sounders Assistant General Manager Bart Wiley.
The Seattle Sounders Latinas Squad will attend select home games and serve as hostesses, greeters and game day give-away attendants. In addition, the bilingual Latinas Squad will spearhead fan interaction activities with signs, songs and crowd interaction. The squad will be chosen at select tryouts to be held in advance of the Sounders May 7, May 13 and May 20 matches.
Throughout the 2006 season, the Sounders and Latinos en Seattle will look to identify Hispanic soccer talent by sending Sounders coaching staff to local Hispanic league games. Those players selected will join the Sounders team in the 4th Annual Kids Only in Qwest Field game on July 6.
LatinosenSeattle.com will also be a Founding Partner of the Seattle Sounders Hispanic radio broadcasts and be featured on the Spanish versions of pocket schedules and promotional posters.
 To reinforce it’s commitment to Seattle’s Hispanic community, the Seattle Sounders have teamed up as community partners with the Washington State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (WSHCC) promoting the Chamber and soccer events. The Sounders and the WSHCC kick off their partnership with the Sounders’ match against Major League Soccer’s Chivas USA at Qwest Field on May 7th, wrapping up WSHCC Cinco de Mayo festivities.
“We look forward to working closely with the WSHCC for many years,” said Sounders Assistant General Manager Bart Wiley. “Through this partnership we will continue to reach out to the Hispanic community, offer soccer related events, and work together on community focused initiatives.”
In celebration of the new partnership, the Sounders and the WSHCC will host exclusive activities for WSHCC members at the Sounders exhibition match against MLS’s Chivas USA. Members are offered discounted ticket prices to see Chivas USA’s Mexican National Team members Ramon Ramirez and Claudio Suarez play against the 2005 USL First Division Champion Sounders. Prior to the match, WSHCC members will also be able to participate in a special meet and greet session with Chivas USA players and coaches at Qwest Field.
“The Sounders have truly demonstrated their commitment to our community. We are excited to be teaming up with the club and look forward to developing additional special and exciting events for the Hispanic community.” said Cris Guillen, Executive Director, WSHCC.
The WSHCC is also sponsoring the Fiesta Latino Night on July 1st when the Sounders battle Miami FC and their roster of international superstars – including Brazilians Romario and Zinho. Both Romario and Zinho join Miami FC after helping the Brazilian National team capture the World Cup in 1994. Romario has scored 959 international career goals, second most to Pelé’s 1,000. The Sounders take on Miami FC at Qwest Field on July 1st, kickoff is slated for 7pm; tickets are available online at www.seattlesounders.net.
Consisting of local businesses, professionals, and community leaders, the WSHCC provides resources and opportunities to create, develop and maintain successful businesses both inside and outside the Hispanic community. The WSHCC also strives to influence legislation, policies, and programs that impact the Hispanic business community.
For more information about the Sounders and their community partners, visit www.seattlesounders.net or call (206) 622-3415. For more information on Latinos en Seattle visit www.LatinosenSeattle.com.To learn more about the Washington State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce please visit their website at www.wshcc.com or call (206) 441-8894.
The Sounders open the 2006 season on April 23rd in Minnesota. The home opener is slated for May 13th – for ticket information or to learn more about the 2006 season visit www.seattlesounders.net.
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