This blog post was written by Joy Sebe, United Way director of education strategies.

The Seattle Sounders’ August 3 game against Liga MX opponent Santos Laguna began with the singing of the Mexican national anthem and the Star-Spangled Banner at Lumen Field. Across the stadium, fans waved flags for the Sounders, Santos Laguna, and Mexico in a beautiful show of support for both teams.

The Sounders won the hard-fought contest over Santos, 2-1, to capture their second of three Phase One matches in the 2025 Leagues Cup. 

Behind the fanfare, United Way of King County partnered with Orlegi Sports and its community service program Guerreros de Corazon to host a meetup between Santos Laguna athletes and local youth and families.

As the sun started to set after the team’s Saturday evening practice, youth and families gathered to meet the athletes, get their autographs and snap a picture on the fields of the Providence Swedish Performance Center.

Families learned about the event and gathered thanks to our longstanding partnership with two community-based organizations that are part of the Racial Equity Coalition, El Centro de la Raza and Para Los Niños. Families watched Santos Laguna play against the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field on Sunday night. Seattle’s record against Liga MX opponents moves to 11-12-15 in competitive play, accounting for both Leagues Cup and Concacaf Champions Cup action.

As Santos Laguna travels across the country for the Leagues Cup, United Way Worldwide is working to connect Orlegi Sports with local communities. With meetups in Detroit and now Seattle under their belt, the team is headed to LA, Miami, and Orlando, where local United Ways are coordinating more meetups and opportunities for connection.

Thank you to our friends at Guerreros de Corazon, Orlegi Sports, and Santo Laguna for your partnership. And we are so grateful to El Centro de la Raza, Para los Niños, and the wonderful youth and families for coming out!