SEATTLE – Hundreds gathered at Westlake Park on Sunday to protest what they are calling an escalation towards war with Iran following the US bombing of nuclear facilities in that country this weekend. 

The group says war is not only a concern because civilians could get killed in ongoing strikes, but also because they believe war spending diverts funding and resources away from services that benefit Americans. 

The protest was part of a National Day of Action. Organizers say they have two messages: stop the escalation to save lives and focus on helping Americans here at home. 

The Seattle chapter of the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism Coalition gathered at Westlake Park to demand an end to any escalation in Iran on Sunday afternoon. 

“This national day of action has shown that within less than 24 hours, thousands of Americans were able to come out in the streets and make very clear what their demands are, which is to stop the escalation and get out of the region,” said Taylor Young, Organizer with ANSWER Coalition, Seattle Chapter. 

The Seattle chapter of ANSWER says around 300 turned out. 

“We oppose our tax dollars being used to kill Iranians abroad when Americans at home are suffering and could really benefit from public services like basic housing and health care,” said Young. 

In addition to being concerned about the death of civilians, there are economic concerns that Iran could also close a narrow waterway called the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf that serves as an international transit route.  

The Associated Press reports that 20% of all oil traded globally passes through the Strait of Hormuz.  Disruptions could further cause the price of crude to rise, which has already increased as the war between Israel and Iran has intensified, climbing by an estimated 21% over the past month.  

Young says it will likely lead to higher prices for goods and services, something Americans are already struggling with. 

“Is this war going to help you make rent? Is it going to help you buy groceries? Is it going to help you send your kids to school? Is it going to stop the public school closures?  Is it going to do any of the things that you actually need in your  life   every single day that we actually have the resources and money for, it’s not,” said Young.

If the escalation in the region continues, the local group plans to organize more protests in the future. Another national protest is slated for June 28th. 

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This is the version of Donovan Solano the Seattle Mariners were patiently waiting for.

The first baseman had another big day at the plate for the M’s in their 14-6 win over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. Solano hit a pair of home runs – just his fourth multi-homer game in 960 career games – and drove in five runs in a three-hit day at Wrigley Field.

Highlights: Seattle Mariners slug five HRs in series-clinching win vs Cubs

The performance wrapped a scorching series for the once-struggling veteran. Solano went 9 for 14 during the three-game set, collecting three hits in each game while driving in eight runs, which was twice as many as he had all season before Friday.

After Sunday’s game, manager Dan Wilson had a fitting answer about the player nicknamed “Donnie Barrels.”

“He is really swinging, and we talked about it before the game, about finding barrels,” Wilson told reporters, “And today (he) found a ton more barrels and was using the whole park.”

The big series in Chicago was the culmination of a turnaround that Solano has been over the past month.

The 37 year old looked as if he might be nearing the end of what would have been an abbreviated stint with the Mariners in late May.

Entering a May 24 game in Houston, Solano was batting a meager .138 with a .331 OPS and just two extra-base hits in 68 plate appearances. He was among the worst hitters in baseball at the time, posting a minus-8 wRC+ that ranked third-to-last among hitters with at least 60 plate appearances.

Solano went on to have a pair singles and a walk in a 2-1 loss that day to the Astros. It was an otherwise forgettable game for the Mariners, but it marked the start of Solano’s climb out of career-worst start. He’s batting .450 (18 for 40) with a 1.200 OPS, three home runs and 12 RBIs in 14 games since that day in Houston.

How resurgence could change M’s outlook

Solano’s resurgence at the plate has been a positive development for both him and the Mariners. For the M’s in particular, it could help with more than just the results on the field.

First base has been long thought to be the most glaring need for the Mariners to address via trade for a playoff push. The platoon of Solano and Rowdy Tellez (who was designated for assignment Friday) ranked among the league’s least productive, but a platoon of the version of Solano the Mariners thought they were getting and the returning Luke Raley all of the sudden makes first a much less desperate need.

More: Why Rowdy’s DFA made the most sense for Seattle Mariners

First base still could be the first place the M’s try to improve, but it doesn’t have to be if Solano is producing. They can shift their focus elsewhere if performance or the trade market dictate it.

The Mariners could focus more on finding offensive punch at third base, where rookie Ben Williamson (.249 average, .593 OPS) has impressed defensively but lacks the slugging abilities traditionally associated with the position.

They could make a stronger push for a second baseman if rookie Cole Young (.236 average, .562 OPS in 17 games), MLB Pipeline’s No. 38 overall prospect, doesn’t do enough over the next few weeks to warrant the role for a playoff push.

They could make impact bullpen arms a higher priority.

They could even be more aggressive in the market for a right fielder since Solano’s career numbers indicate he hits right-handers and left-handers equally well, and Raley could get at-bats in a time split between first base and the outfield.

There’s still another 33 games before the trade deadline that could greatly change all of this, but Solano’s resurgence has a chance to make a real impact on the Mariners’ trade deadline decisions.

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Despite succumbing to a stunning defeat last time out, Paris Saint-Germain will book their place in the Club World Cup round of 16 with a victory over the Seattle Sounders on Monday.

Luis Enrique only made a couple of changes from the team that thumped Atlético Madrid for their clash with South American champions Botafogo, and they were stifled by Renato Paiva’s side in a 1–0 defeat.

There’s no reason for panic, though, with PSG expected to cruise into the knockout stages. The Sounders have so far acquitted themselves pretty well at the tournament, but the gulf between these two teams is seismic. The MLS side haven’t been eliminated just yet, but they require a miracle to advance.

Only a victory of at least three goals over the UEFA Champions League winners and a win for Botafogo over Atléti will see Seattle into the next phase. PSG, meanwhile, will likely top the group should they triumph at Lumen Field and Botafogo are beaten.

Here is Sports Illustrated’s guide to this Club World Cup fixture.

Seattle Sounders vs. PSG Head-to-Head Record

This is the first competitive fixture Seattle Sounders and PSG.

Current Form (all competitions)

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Center back Yeimar Gómez entered the tournament carrying a knock and hasn’t played a part in Seattle’s opening two fixtures. Kim Hee-kim was also an injury concern on Matchday 1 but started against Botafogo. He returned to the bench last time out, however.

Stuart Russell Hawkins should miss out again, while Kalani Kossa-Rienzi was forced off late on Matchday 2. Paul Arriola is a long-term absentee.

Albert Rusnák has been the star of Seattle’s 2025 MLS campaign, and the creative midfielder was on the scoresheet in the defeat to Atléti. He’ll aim to inspire a major upset from a number ten position.

Seattle Sounders predicted lineup vs. PSG (4-2-3-1): Frei; Roldan, Bell, Ragen, Baker-Whiting; Roldan, Vargas; De La Vega, Rusnák, Kent; Ferreira.

PSG undoubtedly felt the absence of Ousmané Dembélé against Botafogo, with Enrique again opting for Gonçalo Ramos up top. While Dembélé, who’s struggling with a thigh injury, is likely to be preserved for the knockout stages—assuming the European champions progress—there could be a change to their frontline.

Bradley Barcola was utilised as PSG’s false nine in their 2–1 victory over Arsenal in the second leg of the Champions League semifinals, and the winger could perform a similar role on Monday.

Nuno Mendes, Marquinhos, João Neves and Fabián Ruiz should all return to the starting XI.

PSG predicted lineup vs. Seattle Sounders (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Mendes; Vitinha, Neves, Fabián; Doué, Barcola, Kvaratskhelia

PSG lacked a bit of punch against a resilient Botafogo, with the Brazilians’ stunning triumph likely to serve as a wake-up call for the European champions.

They may be without Dembélé again, but Enrique is otherwise expected to name a full-strength team against the Sounders. They’re poised to bounce back on Monday.

While Seattle have performed admirably in their two defeats at the tournament, PSG are a class above and they’re bound to be swept aside without laying a glove on the French behemoths.

Prediction: Seattle Sounders 0–3 PSG

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