In this episode, Emily and Kyle give you a practical, local guide to Everett’s official fan zone — the Waterfront Watch Parties at Boxcar Park. If you’ve been wondering how to plug into the energy without tickets or insider knowledge, this is your walkthrough.

First, we hear a quick reminder from Tammy Dunn (Snohomish County Sports Commission) on why official fan zones matter: they give visitors and locals a place to gather, watch together, and make a full day out of the experience.

Then we go deeper with Cat Soper (Port of Everett) and Tyler Chism (City of Everett) on what the Waterfront Watch Parties are designed to feel like — a family-friendly waterfront festival with a big screen, food trucks, music, and a kid zone — plus the simple logistics that make the day smoother.

Takeaways

• You don’t need to be a soccer expert to enjoy an official fan zone — it’s built for everyone.
• The Waterfront Watch Parties are designed to feel like an Everett waterfront festival, with a soccer theme.
• The easiest plan is park once, shuttle in, follow the crowd.
• Small details (like choosing the westbound stop on Hewitt) can save you time and stress.

In this episode

• What an official fan zone is and what it’s meant to provide
• Waterfront Watch Party dates and the “arrive two hours early” tip for pre-game fun
• What you’ll find on-site: big screen viewing, MC + DJs, giveaways, live entertainment, and kid activities
• How to get there using the free shuttle from Everett Station or Hewitt Avenue (and which direction matters)
• A simple on-the-ground layout of Boxcar Park: screen location, food truck zone, kid zone, pop-up pitches, and seating areas
• How partners across the region make the event possible (Port, City, Sports Commission, transit, community orgs)
• A quick note for local businesses: be welcoming, be clear, and pick one simple way to join in

Official fan zone resource

• Official Seattle FWC26 Fan Zone (Visit Everett): https://www.visiteverett.com/1525/Official-SEATTLEFWC26-Fan-Zone

Call for listeners

If you go to an Everett Waterfront Watch Party, send us a note: what did it feel like, and what surprised you? And you may even see us there.

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Presented by the Snohomish Podcast Network.

History of Soccer is courtesy of Washington State Legends of Soccer.

The Snohomish Podcast Network is a proud member of the Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce.

In this episode, Emily and Kyle focus on access and belonging: how people in Snohomish County find their way into soccer through small, real entry points like rec teams, carpools, public spaces, and community programs.

First, we hear from Peter Hattrup, former pro and longtime coach, who shares what it looked like to grow up in a different era of the game — including the story of his first “soccer shoes,” and why those early experiences still matter.

Then they talk with Alex Ko from Sound Transit about access in the practical sense: how transportation, station support, and wayfinding help everyday residents take part in a major soccer summer. Whether you’re traveling into Seattle or staying closer to home, this episode offers a grounded look at how to plan ahead.

Takeaways

• Access is not just about tickets — it’s about belonging.
• Soccer grows when communities keep building ways into the game.
• Recreation leagues and affordable entry points matter more than most people realize.
• Transportation and clear information can be the difference between feeling included and feeling shut out.

In this episode

• How soccer becomes something a community can grow into over time
• Peter Hattrup’s story of early gear, early teams, and learning the game in a different era
• Why recreation-level play is a huge part of access and long-term participation
• What “access” looks like today: watch parties, family-friendly spaces, libraries, museums, and local programs
• How Sound Transit is preparing with station support, security, maintenance, and staff ambassadors
• Where to find updated transit maps and guidance for getting around the region

Transit resource

• Sound Transit soccer tournament resource: https://www.soundtransit.org/soccertournament

Call for listeners

Know someone who thinks this summer won’t really affect Snohomish County? Send them this episode. And if you’re still deciding how you want to take part, this is your reminder: you don’t need a match ticket to be part of the experience. Try a watch party, a fan zone, or a trip into the city just to take in the atmosphere.

The Snohomish Podcast Network is a proud member of the Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce.

Sign up for our newsletter with important links from the show.

Presented by the Snohomish Podcast Network.

History of Soccer is courtesy of Washington State Legends of Soccer.

Disclaimer: This podcast is an independent production and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or officially connected to FIFA or the FIFA World Cup.

Theme Music from: https://pixabay.com/music/rock-sport-sports-rock-music-368012/

In this episode, Emily and Kyle connect two big parts of summer 2026: the deep soccer history that makes Western Washington one of the strongest soccer regions in the country, and the real transit planning needed to move people through a major international soccer summer.

First, we hear from Peter Hattrup, former pro, longtime coach, and one of the people who has lived Seattle soccer history from the inside. He explains how the original Sounders, local legends, and decades of player development helped build a lasting soccer culture across the region.

Then they talk with Alex Ko from Sound Transit about what it takes to move hundreds of thousands of people safely and reliably during a global event. From special Sounder trains to four-minute light rail service and station planning, this episode gives listeners a practical look at how to prepare now.

Takeaways

• Western Washington did not suddenly become a soccer region. It has been building this culture for decades.
• Summer 2026 will feel bigger than a game. For many people, it will feel more like a regional festival.
• Transit will be a major part of the experience, especially for riders coming from Snohomish County.
• Planning early will make June much easier, whether you are going to a match, a fan zone, or just moving through the region.

In this episode

• Why Seattle and the Puget Sound already have deep soccer roots
• How the original Sounders helped shape the region’s soccer culture
• Why the 1990 and 1994 tournaments were major turning points for soccer in the United States
• What the 2026 soccer tournament may feel like for fans, visitors, and local communities
• How Sound Transit is preparing for six Seattle matches
• What Snohomish County riders should know about Sounder, Link, and station planning
• Why this event is as much a regional operations challenge as it is a sports event

Transit resource

• Sound Transit Soccer Tournament Resource

Call for listeners

Know someone who still thinks this tournament will not really affect Snohomish County? Send them this episode. And if you are still deciding how you want to take part, this is your reminder: you do not need a match ticket to be part of the experience. Try a watch party, a fan zone, or a trip into the city just to take in the atmosphere.

The Snohomish Podcast Network is a proud member of the Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce.

Sign up for our newsletter with important links from the show.

Presented by the Snohomish Podcast Network.

History of Soccer is courtesy of Washington State Legends of Soccer.

Disclaimer: This podcast is an independent production and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or officially connected to FIFA or the FIFA World Cup.

Theme Music from: https://pixabay.com/music/rock-sport-sports-rock-music-368012/