GeekWire Sounders Day attendees gather on the First Mode rooftop deck, before the Sounders FC match on Tuesday in Seattle. (GeekWire Photos / Kevin Lisota)

It was so much fun getting the GeekWire community back together on Tuesday with the return of Sounders Day as we enjoyed great networking, tasty BBQ, cold beverages, and another Sounders FC victory.

The festivities kicked off Tuesday afternoon on the spectacular deck at First Mode in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood, just a stone’s throw from Lumen Field, where the Sounders would later pull off a 1-0 victory over Santos Laguna with a thrilling last-second goal in a semifinal Leagues Cup match.

During the pre-match rooftop party we were joined by Sounders FC majority owner Adrian Hanauer and Alejandro Irarragorri, chair of Orlegi Sports, which owns Santos Laguna.

“I love Seattle,” said Irarragorri. “I don’t know why, but this city has something really special.”

Alejandro Irarragorri, chair of Orlegi Sports, left, and Sounders FC majority owner Adrian Hanauer are interviewed by GeekWire co-founder John Cook on the First Mode rooftop deck before Tuesday’s Sounders FC vs. Santos Laguna match.

The executives talked about growing soccer’s reach across the globe, and the impact soccer can have on local communities. A few weeks ago, when Hanauer and Irarragorri learned their teams would play against each other, they hopped on the phone to brainstorm ideas to help the Seattle community.

Before Tuesday’s match, Irarragorri joined Sounders representatives to run a vaccine drive south of Seattle to help encourage more Hispanic residents to get vaccinated.

Hanauer said he and Irarragorri align philosophically on the power of their organizations and soccer itself.

“It’s about community and leaving our kids and their kids a better place to live,” Hanauer said.

Check out more photos of the party below, and be sure to grab tickets for our next event, the GeekWire Summit, held Oct. 4-5 in Seattle.

Sounders FC star Raúl Ruidíaz, center, in action against Santos Laguna.
The Sounders celebrate a 1-0 win over Santos Laguna.

Editor’s note: In light of the current COVID situation, GeekWire required proof of vaccination and temperature checks to enter the party, and followed mask guidelines.