Best Sports Mobile Application

Since bursting onto the American Major League Soccer scene in 2009, Sounders FC has inspired its fiercely loyal fan base. With an average of nearly 45,000 rabid fans at every game, the Sounders outdraw all but three Major League Baseball teams. With such an active fan base, everything the club creates for its supporters receives scrutiny-including its mobile apps.

POP conducted extensive user research to shape the mobile app strategy for Sounders FC. We learned that fans craved a way to connect with the team and to access club information anywhere, at any time and on any mobile platform.

In response, we created iOS, Android and Windows phone apps tailored to take advantage of the unique attributes of each platform and provide relevant information before, during and after each match. Pre-match, the apps let fans purchase tickets, add the match to their calendar and browse Sounders' news and videos. During each match, the apps highlight goals scored, cards issued and other critical match stats, while allowing fans who can't be at the match to follow game play via live audio and Twitter streams. Post-match, the apps feature match recaps, play highlights and full match stats. Additionally, we built in the ability to link the apps to an individual fan's MatchPass account, enabling customized delivery of coupons, offers and discounts on team merchandise and concessions-or deals from partner businesses.

The apps have been embraced by fans, and were featured in two Forrester reports along with receiving an FWA mobile award.

Contributors:

Director of Digital Media, Seattle Sounders FC:	Shane Evans
	Kenton Olson
Client Partner, POP:	Erin Boyer
Visual Design Director, POP:	Bryan Hall
Associate Creative Director, POP:	Chuck Snavely
Senior Mobile Developer, POP:	Tommy Barnes
Director of Mobile Development, POP:	Jason Forbes

POP

Location: United States