RAVE, Seattle Sounders FC and Seattle Reign FC commemorate Latine Heritage Month – an annual recognition that celebrates the diversity of culture and heritage within the Latine community

As we kicked off Latine Heritage Month – which runs from September 15 to October 15 each year – RAVE, Sounders FC and Reign FC recognized the complexity of the language used. As clubs, Sounders and Reign are committed to supporting individuals of all backgrounds and have chosen to use the term "Latine" to foster the most inclusive environment for all. By using this gender-inclusive language, the clubs reaffirm their commitments to advancing equity, supporting those who do not identify within the gender binary and acknowledging the intersectional identities held by the Seattle soccer community. The clubs have updated their language from the previously used "Latinx", a community-informed decision that follows conventions of romance languages, such as Spanish and Portuguese. While this is the language Sounders FC and Reign FC feel align most with their organizational values, the clubs encourage fans to identify in whichever ways feel most true to themselves.

This year, Sounders FC teamed up with the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle, Sea Mar Community Health Centers, KEXP and Intentionalist to provide a handful of activities in recognition to the Latine community.

SEA MAR FIESTAS PATRIAS PARADE AT SOUTH PARK – SEPTEMBER 13

Sounders FC and RAVE took part in this year’s Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias Parade, marching proudly while engaging with community members and giving away Sounders FC-branded items. The parade, a celebration of the community and all that it has to offer, took place on Saturday, September 13 at Sea Mar Community Health Centers Administration.

SEA MAR FIESTAS PATRIAS AT SEATTLE CENTER – SEPTEMBER 13-14

Sounders FC, Reign FC and RAVE Foundation teamed up with longtime partner Sea Mar Community Health Centers to kickoff Latine Heritage Month at this year’s Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias, a two-day community event that brought together families, businesses and cultural organizations to honor Latin American traditions. Throughout the two-day event at Seattle Center, attendees enjoyed delicious traditional Latin American food, live music, traditional folk-dance performances, a health fair offering health information, free health screenings, Zumba and Viva Art Exhibit, children’s activities and more.

The festival took place this year on Saturday, September 13 at the Armory Food & Event Hall and Fisher Pavilion. The event was part of the Seattle Center Festál series and was free and open to the public.

Once at Seattle Center, those in attendance had the opportunity to participate in a variety of onsite entertainment including a free soccer clinic at the Fisher Pavilion rooftop, as well as the giveaway of 200 soccer ball for youth attendees.

The 2025 theme, “Our Voice, Our Strength,” celebrated the color, culture, customs and languages that define Latine proud heritage. It emphasized the importance of unity within this diversity, recognizing that we are all part of a single global community, enriched by many vibrant cultures and perspectives.

On Saturday, September 13, as Sounders FC hosted the LA Galaxy on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field, the club celebrated Latine Heritage Month with its Vamos Sounders Celebration match.

Prior to the match, Sounders FC, Reign FC and RAVE Foundation hosted a Pro Sports Career Panel, this time serving Latine-identifying high school students from Sea Mar’s Latino/a Educational Achievement Project (LEAP). The panel provided attendees insight into diverse career pathways within sports and featured Sounders FC and Reign FC full-time Latine-identifying employees.

Those who attended the match had the opportunity to receive an exclusive winged-orca poster upon arrival at the stadium. Crafted by Mexican Art Director, Graphic Designer and Seattle-based illustrator Víctor Meléndez, the free posters represented a tribute to Mexican alebrijes, a brightly colored folk art sculpture inspired by symbolic animal parts and vibrant colors with specific cultural significance, representing the diversity of our Sounders community.

As part of the annual celebration, fans could also purchase an exclusive Latine Heritage Month scarf designed by Sounders FC graphic designer Sahid Alpizar. The scarf was sold at the Pro Shop at Lumen Field throughout Latine Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15), with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN), the largest immigrant-led coalition in Washington.

In the North Plaza and on stadium concourses, fans were entertained by various dance and musical performances to celebrate the diversity of cultures within the Latine community. The North Plaza featured performances by 4 groups including Grupo Folklórico Herencias Mexicanas, Baila District, La Clave Cubana Entertainment and Brasil in Motion. Lucia Flores-Wiseman, a Mexican-American singer-songwriter from Seattle, WA – whose music blends indie, folk, soul and jazz into intimate, soulful stories – performed in Olympic Hall. She gained national attention when she placed 4th on Season 27 of The Voice on Team Adam. Additionally, Sounders DJs mixed Latine music on the concourses around Lumen Field featuring playlists curated by KEXP. Sounders emcees in the stadium were joined by KEXP radio personality and host Albina Cabrera serving as celebrity DJ. Albina hosts KEXP’s popular Monday night Latin American music program, El Sonido, where she shares the diverse world of Latin music and culture from South, Central and North America, as well as Spain and the rest of the globe.

Launched earlier this summer, Vamos Sounders Club is a new community-powered fan club created to recognize and celebrate the Spanish-speaking communities across Washington state and beyond who live and breathe soccer. More than a club, Vamos Sounders is a movement of pride, passion and belonging, an initiative driven by connections and inspired by the club’s fanbase. Fans can join for free online or at the booth in the North Plaza on matchday. Vamos Sounders Club members will enjoy additional benefits on matchday, including an exclusive opportunity to meet gate giveaway artist Víctor Meléndez.

Benson Hill Elementary School Assembly – October 9

As the Rave Green continue their effort to invest in the Latine community, the club, Reign FC and RAVE Foundation hosted an all-school assembly at Benson Hill Elementary School in Renton on Thursday, October 9 at the school campus, a site of a RAVE soccer mini-pitch. Under the theme “From our Ancestors to Us: Stories that Shine,” the all-school assembly highlighted and celebrated the various cultures represented in the Latine community, as well as by Benson Hill students.

Benson Hill School has a diverse student population, with a significant Hispanic student population of approximately 21.6%. Benson Hill is located at 18665 116th Avenue SE, Renton, WA 98058.