From Me to We: Why This Soccer Summer Matters in Washington

The 2026 soccer summer is officially here — and Washington State is showing up in a big way.In this bonus episode of From Pitch to Puget Sound, Emily and Kyle share what people are talking about in the first days of the tournament, then take you on a fast tour of watch parties and fan experiences across Washington — from Everett’s Boxcar Park fan zone to Seattle’s waterfront activations and Spokane’s Egypt team training buzz. You’ll also hear about creative local business tie-ins (hello, themed beer) and community-centered events like the Everett Recovery Cafe watch party.Then it’s time for predictions: Kyle makes his case for France, while Emily leans into the Netherlands (and a model that’s correctly predicted recent winners). Finally, they zoom out and talk about why this moment is bigger than soccer — a rare chance to be welcoming, connected, and loud together.In this episodeWhy this soccer summer already feels historic (and why the U.S. hosting matters)Watch parties in Washington State: Everett, Seattle, Spokane, and moreEverett Recovery Cafe’s watch party for people in recoverySpokane’s soccer summer energy: Egypt training, local crowds, and themed productsEverett Boxcar Park fan zone dates mentioned in the episode: June 11, 12, 18, and 19Seattle’s premium “The Barge” experience (floating pier + mini pitch)Pike Place Market’s sip-and-savor program (Fridays–Sundays, noon–5:00pm through Labor Day)Emily vs. Kyle’s winner predictions (Netherlands vs. France)Why this month can move us from “me” to “we”CleanListen to From Pitch To Puget SoundFollow From Pitch to Puget Sound on your favorite podcast app.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/Everett Chamber