Hey guys, we're thinking about visiting during the Atlanta game in July of this year. How are the bike paths/public rental bicycles near the stadium? We plan on getting an Airbnb somewhere within walking distance, but also want to try and bike up/down the coast if possible to Pike Place (similar to how we did in DC) and anywhere close by that is touristy. I assume we can take the light rail from the airport to the airbnb, so I was just planning on renting a car the next day for when we go to Mount Rainier.
First off, the stadium is a convenient 10-15 walk from the downtown area (or even shorter by train I think, but its a pleasant walk, so that's what we did), which you can get to from the airport with the light rail. And then get around downtown by light rail from north to south. I was last there about 6 months ago, and do recall seeing rows of bikes for rent at various locations. So I'd say your options are pretty good. And you can also bike or walk north up to the Space Needle and take the monorail back a mile or so south towards the center of downtown. It's a futuristic ride (from a 1960s perspective ). I don't know about bike trails along the Sound, which is not really the coast, but I think that is what you are referring to. But the downtown and stadium is very accessible without needed a car. Just a tip: Don't buy Row AA tickets thinking you will be in the first row of the upper deck or something like that. You will just be up 27 rows up in the upper deck. As in, really high up!
Just to piggy back on GalaxyOne's comment.. Seattle is absolutely littered with Jump (red), Lime (green), and Spin (orange) bikes. Lime has electric assisted bikes, which are quite nice for Seattle's hills. Just make sure to inspect the bikes before committing to them. The bikes for bike shares have a tendency to get vandalized in Seattle because people don't like that they are parked randomly and inconsiderately. So make sure you check that the brakes work and give the seat, handlebar, and pedals a good look over before you commit. Seattle is pretty bike friendly and has a number of bike lanes (protected and unprotected) in the downtown core. There are some bike trails, but they are more for commuting and pleasure rides, so they don't necessarily go anywhere a tourist who is already in downtown Seattle would want to go. https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/bike-program/online-bike-map
Any bars near the stadium that show games that are on ESPN+? I will be in Seattle this week (for the first time) for a conference. Bought a ticket to Wednesday night's game and am looking forward to seeing the stadium and fan experience. I am from DC and my above question is me hoping to catch the DCU vs. Crew game at 4:30 while enjoying a bite and drink before checking out the Sounders.
I have only been to a game in Seattle once, but there are a BUNCH of bars along the walk (or march or whatever they call it) to the stadium from downtown. The walk is north of the stadium along Occidental Ave. Should be lots of options for you, especially since you would be getting there early, and they shouldn't be full with Sounders fans so early on a weekday. The bars were all packed when I was there on a Saturday evening. Edit *sorry, I realize now your question was about ESPN+. That little "+" after ESPN often throws me off.
(Several weeks later) I didn’t find a bar with ESPN+ but I couldn’t care less in hindsight. Chatting up so many kind Seattle fans was a much better use of my time. Ended up at Quality Athletics and some friendly folks even covered my tab. Seattle has it going on. Their vibes for a Wednesday night game blow DC’s out of the water. You all have a good thing going on!
It was definitely a good game from a Sounders fan perspective. I'm sure Toronto fans were supremely frustrated given all the position TFC had in Seattle's half of the field.
More frustrated that the break in the game came off a fluky deflection. I'd have felt much better if the game had been 2-1 with Seattle scoring the two goals they actually earned. This felt like 2016 where Seattle winning had as much to do with luck going their way as with skill. Still, overall it was a well played game by both teams. Congratulations to Seattle on the win. We'll look forward to the fourth annual TFC-Seattle MLS Cup next year. I'm pretty sure it's still your turn to host again.
That has pretty much been Seattle's tactic this year. We absorb a lot of pressure throughout the first half, then after the opposing team starts to wear down and Schmetzer makes his halftime adjustments, the Sounders pile up the pressure until a goal happens. Sometimes that goal is a moment of brilliance like VRod's, but it also happens a lot with lucky deflections or defense miscues.
‘Gonzo’s dad is Brian': How Gonzalo Pineda branched off from the Brian Schmetzer coaching tree (thestriker.com)