SEATTLE – Seattle Sounders FC today announced that it is fully refunding fans who purchased S2 Founders Club memberships prior to S2’s inaugural USL season in 2015. Originally S2 sold memberships for the Founders Club during the club’s launch to raise funds for capital improvements at its Starfire Sports training facility in Tukwila. With this move, Founders Club members continue to receive S2 legacy pricing and benefits, in addition to remaining part of the Sounders Community Trust.

“When we announced S2, the club’s intention was to use the funds received as part of the Founders Club launch for infrastructure improvements at Starfire,” said Sounders FC Owner Adrian Hanauer. “As discussed at last fall’s annual business meeting, the club is currently evaluating its existing footprint at Starfire, and as a result we are releasing all Founders Club funds back to Founders Club members directly. Starfire continues to be the training home of Sounders FC, S2 and the club’s Academy infrastructure, but until we determine future expansion plans, we felt it best to return the funds to the Founders Club.

“Our relationship with the Founders Club, Sounders Community Trust and our fans is a central part of Sounders FC’s club identity, and a pillar of democracy in sports. We thank the Founders Club and the Trust for their continued partnership and support.”

Additionally, the Sounders Community Trust is making strides toward becoming a membership-driven organization in 2016. Formed during S2’s USL launch, the Sounders Community Trust is a charitable, fan and supporter-managed, non-profit organization that was created to assume a 20 percent interest of Sounders FC 2. Combined with representing the community business interest in Sounders FC 2, the Sounders Community Trust is evaluating philanthropic goals for 2016 based on input received from its membership.

“The Sounders Community Trust deserves recognition for its dedication and activism, using soccer as a vehicle for betterment in our community,” said Hanauer. “It takes a lot of work and time to create a fan-driven, non-profit organization that is aligned with the development and betterment of youth players. As the philanthropic arm of S2, we are excited to continue supporting the Trust in its efforts.”

The Sounders Community Trust will elect one representative to sit on the S2 Executive Board with the purpose of both influencing and supporting the direction of Sounders FC through S2, as well as helping support access to soccer in the community. In an unprecedented move across both MLS and USL, the elected Trust representative also represents the club at the USL Board of Governors Meeting and AGM.

“The purpose of the Sounders Community Trust is to provide fans that are committed to the development and growth of the club with an outlet for that commitment, both in stewarding S2 and also championing youth development in their own right,” said S2 General Manager Andrew Opatkiewicz. “The engagement that Sounders FC fans have with their club is something that makes this organization incredibly unique, and the Trust is another example of that bond.”

S2 opens its second USL campaign on Friday, March 25 against Sacramento Republic FC after a successful inaugural campaign under Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson. The 2015 season produced two S2 players that are now with the Sounders FC First Team in Andy Craven and Oalex Anderson, as the Rave Green qualified for the USL postseason in its first year of action.

S2 season ticket packages are available now, starting as low as at $9 per match via the following link: http://sndrs.com/aju4. For complete information on S2 tickets, including single-match options, group tickets and the S2 Flex Plan, visit SoundersFC.com/S2/Tickets.

ABOUT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

Winner of the 2014 MLS Supporters’ Shield and four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championships (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014), Sounders FC is Seattle’s Major League Soccer franchise. With an ownership group led by Seattle-based entrepreneur Adrian Hanauer, Hollywood executive Joe Roth, Seattle Seahawks Chairman Paul G. Allen and entertainer Drew Carey, the club received an MLS charter on November 13, 2007 and has reached the MLS Cup Playoffs in every year of its existence. Since the club’s debut MLS season in 2009, Sounders FC has set the standard for soccer support in North America, culminating in the top seven single-season attendance totals in league history and an active streak of 127 consecutive MLS sellouts. Prior to joining MLS, the Seattle Sounders organization has been a part of the greater Seattle community and U.S. Soccer professional scene since 1974.

ABOUT THE SOUNDERS COMMUNITY TRUST

The first organization of its kind in MLS and USL, the Sounders Community Trust is a charitable, fan and supporter-managed, non-profit organization that was formed to assume a 20-percent interest of Sounders FC 2. The Trust elects one representative to sit on the S2 Executive Board with the purpose of both influencing and supporting the direction of Sounders FC through Sounders FC 2, as well as helping support access to soccer in the community.