View source for History of professional soccer in Seattle

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{{Redirect|History of Seattle Sounders|the history of the Major League Soccer club|History of Seattle Sounders FC}}
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{{Citation style|date=March 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2013}}

[[Seattle]] has had professional [[association football|soccer]] clubs for over four decades who have played in various leagues since the 1970s. These include three incarnations of the [[Seattle Sounders FC]], playing in the [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League]], [[United Soccer League]], and [[Major League Soccer]].

The city is also home to [[Seattle Reign FC]], which began in 2013 as a founding member of the [[National Women's Soccer League]]. Seattle has also hosted teams from the [[Continental Indoor Soccer League]] and the [[Major Arena Soccer League]].

== Timeline ==
<timeline>
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 bar:Sounders text:Sounders
 bar:FCS text:FC Seattle / Storm

 bar:Reign text:Reign

 bar:Seadogs text:Seadogs
 bar:Impact text:Impact / Stars

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 id:line  value:pink
 id:bg  value:white
 id:Full value:rgb(0.742,0.727,0.852) legend:Active_league_member # Use this color to denote a team that is a current league member
 id:Former value:rgb(0.4,0.80,0.67) legend:Defunct_team # Use this color to denote a team that is a former league member
 id:Other value:rgb(0.996,0.996,0.699) legend:Previous_league_of_active_team # Use this color to denote when team that has moved in from a different league was active in the prior league(s)
 id:Tacoma value:orange legend:*Based_in_Tacoma
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   width:35 textcolor:black anchor:from fontsize:s shift:(5,0)
 bar:Sounders color:Former from:1974 till:1984 text:[[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League]]~(1974–1983)
 bar:Sounders  color:Other from:1994 till:2009 text:[[American Professional Soccer League|APSL]]~(1994) 
 bar:Sounders at:1995 shift:(25,0) text:[[A-League (1995–2004)|A-League]]~(1995–2004) 
 bar:Sounders at:2005 text:[[USL-1]]~(2005–2008)
 bar:Sounders at:2009 mark:(line,white)
 bar:Sounders  color:Full from:2009 till:end text:[[Major League Soccer]]~(2009–present)
 
 bar:FCS  color:Former from:1984 till:1991 
 bar:FCS at:1985 align:right shift:(-5,0) text:Leagueless~(1984)
 bar:FCS at:1985 mark:(line,white)
 bar:FCS at:1985 text:[[Western Soccer Alliance|WSA]]~(1985–1989)
 bar:FCS at:1990 text:[[American Professional Soccer League|APSL]]~(1990)
 bar:FCS color:Former from:1993 till:1995 shift:(5, 6) text:[[Pacific Coast Soccer League|PCSL]]~(Amateur)~(1993–1995)

 bar:Seadogs  color:Former from:1995 till:1998 text:[[Continental Indoor Soccer League|CISL]]~(1995–1997)
 bar:Reign color:Full from:2013 till:end text:[[National Women's Soccer League]]~(2013–present)

 bar:Impact color:Former from:2014 till:2015 align:right anchor:till shift:(-5,8) text:[[Seattle Impact]]~[[Major Arena Soccer League|MASL]]~(2014–2015)
 bar:Impact color:Full from:2015 till:end shift:(5,8) text:[[Tacoma Stars]]~[[Major Arena Soccer League|MASL]]~(2015–present)
 bar:Impact color:Other from:2003 till:2013 shift:(5,8) text:[[Tacoma Stars]]~[[Premier Arena Soccer League|PASL]]~(2003&ndash;2013)
 bar:Impact color:Former from:1983 till:1992 shift:(5,8) text:[[Tacoma Stars (1983–1992)|Tacoma Stars]]~[[Major Indoor Soccer League|MISL]]~(1983–1992)

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 at:1974 frompos:220 tillpos:300 color:Mens
 at:1974 frompos:180 tillpos:220 color:Womens
 at:1974 frompos:100 tillpos:180 color:Indoor

 from:2019 till:2021 atpos:217.5 color:Tacoma

 from:1983 till:1992 atpos:137.5 color:Tacoma
 from:1994 till:1995 atpos:297.5 color:Tacoma
 from:2003 till:2013 atpos:137.5 color:Tacoma
 from:2015 till:end atpos:137.5 color:Tacoma

Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom
</timeline>

== Seattle Sounders (NASL), 1974–1983 ==
{{main|Seattle Sounders (1974–1983)}}

On December 11, 1973, a group of Seattle investors led by Walt Daggatt were granted rights to a franchise in the top-level [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League]] (NASL), one of three (including [[Vancouver Whitecaps FC]] and [[San Jose Earthquakes]]) heralding the expansion of America's struggling top-tier soccer league to the west coast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.funwhileitlasted.net/2013/05/19/1974-1983-seattle-sounders-nasl/|title=Seattle Sounders, North American Soccer League|date=May 19, 2013|website=funwhileitlasted.net}}</ref><ref name="sounderatheart.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.sounderatheart.com/2014/2/4/5338390/know-your-history-the-40-years-of-sounders-edition|title=Know Your History: 40 Years of Sounders Edition|website=sounderatheart.com|date=February 4, 2014 }}</ref> With a budget under $500,000, the investors searched existing American and British teams to assemble a coaching squad and assemble a lineup. Longtime NASL All-Star player [[John Best (soccer)|John Best]] was hired as coach and recruited former Everton star [[Jimmy Gabriel]], 1969 NASL MVP [[Pepe Fernandez]], Crewe defender [[Dave Gillett]] and Hartlepool goalkeeper [[Barry Watling]], among others.<ref name="sounderatheart.com"/>

On January 22, 1974, the team was christened Seattle Sounders, the moniker having won a highly publicized "name the team" contest ([[Seattle Mariners]], the eventual name of the city's second baseball team, was a runner-up). The "lads" (so-called because the team were largely English players) were introduced to the media and the public in early Spring, announcing they would play their first home game on May 5. At the time, soccer was largely ignored by the national media, and the game was understood and played by a very small percentage of the population; but Seattle's post-war immigrants from [[Scandinavia]] and Britain had brought awareness of soccer, and a youth soccer league had started in 1966.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonyouthsoccer.org/50th_anniversary/|title=50th Anniversary - Washington Youth Soccer|website=Washington Youth Soccer}}</ref> Whether professional soccer could work in Seattle was anyone's guess.

The answer came at the club's inaugural game, when the Sounders took on the [[Denver Dynamos]] in Memorial Stadium, whose capacity of 13000 was considered ample for a sport which had never averaged more than 3000–5000 in other American cities. Over 12000 came to the opening match, the start of which was delayed to allow the unexpectedly large walk-up crowd to enter the stands. Longtime Seattle sportswriter [[Royal Brougham]] introduced the team to great fanfare, though he was booed when he chose to sing, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", as Seattle sports fans were still embittered over the loss a few years earlier of the [[Seattle Pilots]] [[Major League Baseball]] team. It appeared Seattle was ready to embrace a different summer sport.

The Sounders won their home opener 4–1, and fans were hooked. By early summer, the Sounders stunned the American sports community by posting the first-ever sellout of a stadium for a soccer game, drawing 13,498 to their game against the defending champion [[Philadelphia Atoms]]. The Sounders proved successful on the field as well, with a 10–7–3 record, and Barry Watling won Goalkeeper of the Year honors with an astounding 0.80 goals against average. 36000 tickets were printed in anticipation of a home playoff game to be held in Husky Stadium. Despite their winning record, the NASL points system meant Seattle was edged out of the final playoff spot on the last day of the season, and they finished in third place in the highly competitive Western Conference that year.

The Sounders returned in 1975 with the addition of [[Tottenham Hotspur]] defender and [[UEFA Cup]] winner [[Mike England]] to anchor the defensive midfield. The success of the Sounders and other western teams led other teams to boost their lineups as well, including the signing of [[Pelé]] by the [[New York Cosmos (1970–85)|New York Cosmos]]. Memorial Stadium was expanded several times, eventually growing to hold 17,925, and sold out every game; amazingly, it never rained on a Sounders game in this outdoor facility. On the field, the Sounders were one of the league's better teams, posting a 15–7 record and making their first playoff appearance at Portland; their 2–1 loss in the quarterfinals cemented the [[Portland Timbers-Seattle Sounders rivalry]] which grew to become American soccer's most storied derby. Two [[indoor soccer]] exhibition games were played as a training exercise that winter as well, marking the origins of that version of the sport.

The Sounders' success helped Daggatt and his partners get the [[NFL]] [[Seattle Seahawks]] franchise, and both teams started play in the [[Kingdome]] in 1976. The first sporting event held at the Kingdome was a Sounders match against the Cosmos on April 9; 58,128 fans packed the Kingdome that day to investigate the new building and get a look at Pelé, who scored two goals to lead the Cosmos to a 3–1 victory. Important player signings included former English [[World Cup 1966]] star [[Geoff Hurst]] and goalkeeper [[Tony Chursky]] who would lead the league with a 0.91 goals against average. The Sounders also led the NASL in attendance in 1976 with 23,826 fans per match,<ref name="homepages.sover.net">{{cite web|url=http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1976.html|title=The Year in American Soccer - 1976|website=homepages.sover.net|access-date=January 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107061400/http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1976.html|archive-date=January 7, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the team held its first home playoff game, a 2–1 victory over the rival [[Vancouver Whitecaps FC]], reaching the Divisional Championships of the [[1976 North American Soccer League season#Playoffs|1976 NASL playoffs]] before falling short on the road to the [[Minnesota Kicks]] 3–0.<ref name="homepages.sover.net"/> The Kicks then returned to the Kingdome for [[Soccer Bowl '76]], where they lost before an unsupportive Seattle crowd of 25000 to the [[Toronto Metros-Croatia]].

Jimmy Gabriel assumed the coaching duties from John Best in the 1977 season. The club started slowly, losing 7 of their first 11 games; but a 10-5 tear placed them at 14-12 for the season, and fans continued to come out in large numbers, in part to see the team's first homegrown star, Seattle native and 1977 NASL Rookie of the Year [[Jimmy McAlister]]. Upsetting the favored [[L.A. Aztecs]] on the road in the conference final, they then edged them at home 1-0 before 56,000 fans, winning the Pacific Conference Championship and making it to their first ever championship game. Thousands of Seattle fans drove to Portland, the site of [[Soccer Bowl|Soccer Bowl '77]], to see them play the New York Cosmos before an international audience in what was to be Pelé's last game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soundercentral.com/museum/1977updates/Soccer+Bowl+1977/soccer_bowl_1977.htm|title=soundercentral.com|website=soundercentral.com}}</ref>

{{#invoke:Transcluder|main|Seattle Sounders (1974–1983)#History|only=paragraphs|paragraphs=4-5}}

==F.C. Seattle Storm (WSA), 1984–1995==
{{main|Seattle Storm (soccer)}}
Football Club Seattle Storm, also known as the F.C. Seattle Storm, was an American [[soccer]] team based in Seattle. F.C. Seattle was a "super club" created to provide Seattle players an opportunity to play at a higher level than the local recreational and semi-pro leagues. In addition to playing exhibition matches against top international teams, F.C. Seattle was a member of the short lived [[Western Soccer Alliance]], was a founding member of the [[American Professional Soccer League]] and later spent three seasons in the [[Pacific Coast Soccer League]].

==Seattle SeaDogs (CISL), 1995–1997==
{{main|Seattle SeaDogs}}

The Seattle SeaDogs were an [[indoor soccer]] team that played in the [[Continental Indoor Soccer League]] (CISL) from 1995 to 1997. They won the last CISL championship in 1997.

== Seattle Sounders (APSL / A-League / USL-1), 1994–2008 ==
{{Seattle Sounders FC sidebar}}
{{main|Seattle Sounders (1994–2008)}}

{{#invoke:Transcluder|main|Seattle Sounders (1994–2008)#History|sections=0}}

=== Brian Schmetzer Era ===
Prior to the beginning of the 2002 campaign, the [[Seattle Sounders (1994–2008)|Sounders]] were coming off a dismal performance the previous season. With the firing of Englishmen [[Bernie James]] the Sounders were in need of hiring a new head coach. Hanauer called on [[Brian Schmetzer]], who last coached the indoor club, the [[Seattle SeaDogs]], and asked him if he was interested in the job. Schmetzer agreed and took the job that season. Schmetzer's highlights of his six-year tenure include Pacific Division titles in his inaugural season and the following season. In 2004, during his third year of coaching, he led the Sounders to the A-League championship game where the team ultimately lost to the [[Montreal Impact (1992–2011)|Montreal Impact]]. The next year, in the Sounders debut in the [[USL First Division]], Schmetzer led the club again to the finals, where they successfully defeated the [[Richmond Kickers]] in penalties.

Schmetzer was a finalist for the 2007 coach of the year award. Although the team had started the season 1–3–4, they went on to claim the Commissioner's Cup for the league's best regular season record. The team also had a 15-game unbeaten run that included MLS opponents in the [[2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|U.S. Open Cup]]. The Sounders went on to beat the [[Atlanta Silverbacks]] 4–0 to win the postseason championship.<ref name="Seattle P-I 2007-09-30">{{cite news|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/othersports/333798_sounders01.html|title=After slow start, Sounders win title, ponder future|last=Gaschk|first=Matt|date=September 30, 2007|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|access-date=January 7, 2010}}</ref>

==== 2002–04: Pacific Champions, and run to USL Final ====
The Sounders' 2002 season was easily the strongest season for the USL team and arguably the strongest year of all Sounders franchises. In [[Brian Schmetzer]]'s inaugural campaign as Sounders manager, Schmetzer led the club to 23 victories in 28 matches.<ref name="2002 sounders season">{{cite web|last=Litterer|first=Dave|title=The Year in American Soccer, 2002|url=http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/2002.html#aleague|work=American Soccer Archives|access-date=March 18, 2011|date=May 30, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811085648/http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/2002.html#aleague|archive-date=August 11, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2002, the Sounders only lost one regular season match and had four draws.<ref name="2002 sounders season"/> The record results in 107 points for the season, and easily obtaining the Commissioner's Cup by 22 points.<ref name="2002 sounders season"/>

By earning the Commissioner's Cup, and winning the Pacific Division regular season title, the Sounders earned a direct bye to the Western Conference semifinals (or the quarterfinals) against their [[Cascadia Cup|Cascadian]] rivals, the [[Vancouver Whitecaps (1986–2010)|Vancouver Whitecaps]].<ref name="2002 sounders season"/> The first leg in Seattle was a solid start for the Sounders, as they cruised to a 2–0 win.<ref name="2002 sounders season"/> The second leg, however, was a disaster. The match ended in a blowout 6–2 defeat. The defeat resulted in a 6–4 aggregate loss putting a shocking, abrupt end to the Sounders phenomenal season.<ref name="2002 sounders season"/>

==== 2005–08: Three years, two titles ====
[[File:Emerald City Supporters Take 'Em All.jpg|thumb|[[Emerald City Supporters]] display at the 2008 home opener]]
Starting with the [[United Soccer Leagues 2005|2005]] USL Division One season, the Sounders made it a top priority to win the USL postseason championship, especially following their shortcomings in 2004, with a defeat against [[Montreal Impact (1992–2011)|Montreal Impact]]. During their 2005 campaign, Sounders goalie [[Preston Burpo]], was second in the league in goals against average, averaging .85 goals a match.<ref name="2005 season">{{cite web|url=http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/2005.html|title=The Year in American Soccer, 2005|website=homepages.sover.net|access-date=January 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105121200/http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/2005.html|archive-date=November 5, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> That season, defender [[Taylor Graham]] won the league's "Defender of the Year" award<ref name="2005 season"/> as well and was named to the "USL First Division Best XI" that year, too.<ref name="2005 season"/> In 2005, the Sounders finished in fourth place,<ref name="2005 season"/> and went on to win the championship against the [[Richmond Kickers]] in penalty kicks.<ref name="2005 season"/>

The following year, 2006, proved to be a rough year for the defending champions, as they failed to qualify for the playoffs, and finished in seventh place in the league table. In the midst of their dismal season, striker [[Cam Weaver]] netted 18 goals for the club, as well as an additional three assists scoring 39 individual points in the USL First Division. He finished the season with the second highest number of points behind [[Miami FC (2006)|Miami FC]]'s [[Romario]]. Weaver was also named the USL First Division's "Rookie of the Year". Weaver received some minor international recognition, and subsequently signed with second division-Norwegian club [[FK Haugesund]]. In 2014 he returned to Seattle and played one year for the MLS-side [[Seattle Sounders FC]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/cam-weaver| title = Cam Weaver {{!}} MLSsoccer.com}}</ref>

Although 2007 was highlighted by the announcement of Seattle being award an MLS expansion franchise, the Sounders had a successful USL season, which proved to be their best in club history. First, the Sounders won the Commissioner's Cup, which is an award given the league champion with the best season record, of 16–6–6. They went on to win the postseason USL Cup, by thrashing Atlanta 4–0. In the [[2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|2007 U.S. Open Cup]], the Sounders made a semifinal run, before losing to [[FC Dallas]] 2–1 in extra time. In the Open Cup quarterfinals, the Sounders thrashed MLS-side [[Colorado Rapids]], 5–0, thus making it the largest margin of victory a USL club has ever had over an MLS club in any competition. Beforehand in the early rounds, the Sounders played [[C.D. Chivas USA|Chivas USA]], [[Portland Timbers]] and [[Phoenix Banat Storm|Banat Arsenal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/2007.html|title=The Year in American Soccer, 2007|website=homepages.sover.net|access-date=January 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115005934/http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/2007.html|archive-date=November 15, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

With the announcement of the MLS franchise, the USL team would play their last season in 2008.<ref>{{cite news |last=Massey |first=Matt |date=April 18, 2008 |title=Sounders open 2008 USL season, eye MLS in 2009 |page=C3 |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/season-preview-sounders-open-2008-usl-season-eye-mls-in-2009/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=September 3, 2016}}</ref> Midfielders [[Roger Levesque]] and [[Zach Scott]] would transition from the USL to the MLS Sounders after a two-month trial period.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.soundersfc.com/post/2009/03/16/sounders-fc-signs-roger-levesque-and-zach-scott| title = Sounders FC Signs Roger Levesque and Zach Scott {{!}} Seattle Sounders}}</ref> Schmetzer was a candidate for the head coach position for the MLS Sounders, but the job eventually went to [[Sigi Schmid]], who had previously coached the [[Los Angeles Galaxy]] and [[Columbus Crew]]. Schmetzer took the role as the top assistant.<ref name="Seattle Times 2008-12-23">{{cite news|url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2008550617_sounders23.html?syndication=rss|title=Sounders FC hire Brian Schmetzer as top assistant|last=Romero|first=José Miguel Romero|date=December 23, 2008|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=January 7, 2010}}</ref>

==Previous attempts at MLS expansion, 1993–2007==

===Debate for MLS or APSL club===
Upon the incarnation of [[Major League Soccer]], the Seattle metro area was shortlisted as a potential candidate to host an inaugural MLS club.<ref name="bigsoccer">{{cite news|first=Tom|last=Farrey |title=Big Soccer Surprise: 38,000 To See Match|url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19940128&slug=1891994 |newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=January 28, 1994|access-date=June 23, 2009}}</ref> However, when it came time have a petition to sign with the league, the Seattle organizers only managed to secure 1,300 assurances.<ref>{{cite news |title=Soccer Ticket Pledges Exceed 1,300 |url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19940603&slug=1913752 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=June 4, 1994 |access-date=June 23, 2009 |archive-date=November 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116210622/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19940603&slug=1913752 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The low numbers were at first claimed to be the result between a ticket campaign between bringing an MLS expansion club to Seattle, and tickets for the [[Seattle Sounders (1994–2008)|American Professional Soccer League (APSL) Sounders]].<ref name="1994tickets">{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Farrey |title=Soccer League Rejects Sounders' Plan; Two Will Compete To Sell Season Tickets |url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19940224&slug=1896933 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=February 24, 1994 |access-date=June 23, 2009}}</ref>

Failing to reach the minimum 10,000-signatures, Seattle was consequently excluded among the first seven cities to be awarded an MLS club.<ref name="1994mls">{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Farrey |title=Seattle Misses First Mls Cut—But Bid Isn't Dead |url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19940615&slug=1915706 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=June 15, 1994 |access-date=June 23, 2009}}</ref> However, in spite of this, the league announced that five more teams were to be announced later that year, with the chance to improve their chances. Subsequently, Seattle MLS organizers began working with the [[University of Washington]] to secure use of [[Husky Stadium]] as a tentative stadium while they pursued the construction of a permanent [[soccer-specific stadium]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Farrey |title=Seattle Gets Boost in Bid For Team—Husky Stadium Might Be Mls Site |url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19940717&slug=1920841 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=July 17, 1994 |access-date=June 23, 2009}}</ref>

In November 1994, the inaugural MLS season was postponed to 1996. It was then noted that the absence of an "adequate grass-field facility" in the region, as well as the presence of the new APSL Seattle Sounders team had thwarted Seattle's MLS franchise bid.<ref>{{cite news |title=Major League Soccer Postponed Until 1996 |url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19941116&slug=1942150 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=November 16, 1994 |access-date=June 23, 2009}}</ref> In the end, Seattle was not among the cities chosen to establish a team during the first season of the MLS.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/463166/US-PRO-SOCCER-TO-BECOME-REALITY-IN-MARCH-OF-96.html|title=U.S. Pro Soccer To Become Reality in March Of '96|date=June 7, 1995|newspaper=[[Deseret News]]|access-date=June 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912172606/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/463166/US-PRO-SOCCER-TO-BECOME-REALITY-IN-MARCH-OF-96.html|archive-date=September 12, 2017|url-status=live|agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

=== Second attempt for MLS franchise ===
[[File:Aerial of Qwest Field and downtown skyline, 2002.jpg|thumb|Upon completion in 2002, Qwest Field was also designed for soccer, providing separate amenities for soccer teams.<ref name="Seattle Post-Intelligencer 2001-07-27">{{cite news|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/othersports/32948_turf27.shtml|title=Showdown looms over turf in new stadium|last=Bruscas|first=Angelo|date=July 27, 2001|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer | access-date=November 5, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Qwest Field goes Au Naturel | date=March 19, 2003 | url =http://www.seahawks.com/qwest-field/facts/natural-grass.html | publisher = Seattle Seahawks | access-date=November 2, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327205918/http://www.seahawks.com/qwest-field/facts/natural-grass.html |archive-date=March 27, 2009}}</ref>]]

During the [[1996 Major League Soccer season|debutant MLS season]]; [[Paul Allen]], the owner of the [[Seattle Seahawks|NFL franchise]], worked with the city to build a new football stadium for his team (today [[Lumen Field]]). With the possibility of an MLS [[expansion team]] that could be a co-tenant the facility helped drive public support for the stadium effort.<ref>{{cite news |first=Elliott |last=Almond |title=Want A Stadium For Football? Try A Little Soccer |url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19960511&slug=2328650 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=May 11, 1996 |access-date=June 23, 2009}}</ref> Many state voters supported the referendum to construct the Seahawks Stadium, because it was expected to double as a professional soccer venue.<ref name="2000mls">{{cite news |first=Bob |last=Sherwin |title=MLS team in Seattle no sure bet |url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20000510&slug=4020160 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=May 10, 2000 |access-date=June 23, 2009}}</ref> While the stadium problem was being resolved, a new issue arrose. By [[2000 Major League Soccer season|2000]], MLS was veered away from league-operated clubs, towards investor-operated franchises. As result, wealthy individuals would need to step forward for Seattle to obtain an MLS franchise.<ref name="2000mls"/>

In the early 2000s, MLS announced their intention to have their first expansion since 1998. In 2002, Seattle was once-again listed as a possible market for an MLS expansion team.<ref>{{cite news |title=Garber says MLS plans to add teams |url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20021019&slug=expand19 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=October 19, 2002 |access-date=June 23, 2009}}</ref> But in 2004, the two franchises were award to [[Salt Lake City]], and a second franchise to the Los Angeles area, these teams later becoming known as [[Real Salt Lake]] and [[C.D. Chivas USA|Chivas USA]], respectively. MLS commissioner [[Don Garber]] indicated that Seattle had been "very close" to receiving the expansion team, and ended up being third on the list. [[Adrian Hanauer]], then-owner of the United Soccer League's (USL) Sounders (formerly the APSL Sounders), was in discussions with MLS about an estimated payment of $1 million to purchase an MLS franchise, that could be placed in the Seattle area in time for the [[2006 Major League Soccer season|2006 season]].<ref name="2006mls">{{cite news |first=José Miguel |last=Romero |title=Seattle at "top of list" for MLS team in 2006 |url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20040715&slug=mls15 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=July 15, 2004 |access-date=June 23, 2009}}</ref>

When Seattle was passed over again during the 2006 season (the franchise was awarded to [[Houston Dynamo|Houston]]), Hanauer announced that he would not be able to secure an expansion team without the help of more investors willing to help cover the increasing MLS franchise fees which had grown beyond $10 million by the mid-2000s.<ref>{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Massey |title=Seattle's chances for MLS team take a hit |url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20050416&slug=sounders16 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=April 16, 2005 |access-date=June 23, 2009}}</ref>

== Seattle Sounders FC (Major League Soccer), 2007–present ==
{{main|Seattle Sounders FC}}

=== Seattle awarded expansion franchise ===
[[File:Drew Carey FIFA World Cup 2006.jpg|thumb|150px|TV personality, [[Drew Carey]] became a part owner with the Sounders FC, in a bid to join MLS]]
Following the shortcomings in 2006, the next year, Hanauer teamed up with Hollywood producer [[Joe Roth]] to make another bid for MLS expansion into Seattle. This time, at a fee of $30&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ridge |last=Mahoney |title=Sounders bring MLS success in Seattle |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/united/2009-07-28-seattle-sounders_N.htm |newspaper=USA Today |date=July 28, 2009 |access-date=December 5, 2009}}</ref> Paul Allen, whose First and Goal company operated [[Qwest Field]] (formerly Seahawks Stadium), joined the duo later that year, making the fourth bid the most promising yet for the region.<ref>{{cite news |first=Craig |last=Smith |title=Gooooal? City may soon have franchise |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/PrintStory.pl?document_id=2003941033 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=October 11, 2007 |access-date=June 23, 2009}}</ref> During the first week of November 2007, rumors began circulating that MLS would be announcing an expansion franchise into the Seattle market the following week and that the ownership trio had brought on a fourth member: TV personality [[Drew Carey]].<ref name="expansion">{{cite news |first=Larry |last=Stone |title=Big-time soccer coming in 2009 |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/PrintStory.pl?document_id=2004005776 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=November 10, 2007 |access-date=June 23, 2009}}</ref>

During a press conference on November 13, 2007; it was announced that Seattle had been awarded an expansion club by MLS. The announcement provided a return of [[United States soccer pyramid|top-level]] soccer to Seattle for the first time since the dissolution of its [[Seattle Sounders (NASL)|North American Soccer League (NASL) club]] in 1983.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/its-official-seattle-to-get-mls-team-in-2009/|title=It's official: Seattle to get MLS team in 2009|date=November 14, 2007|newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]]|access-date=June 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326231212/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/its-official-seattle-to-get-mls-team-in-2009/|archive-date=March 26, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Laurence |last=Moroney |title=MLS announces expansion in Seattle |date=November 13, 2007 |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/content/mls-announces-expansion-seattle |publisher=Major League Soccer |access-date=April 18, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==== New crest, same name ====
On April 7, 2008; along with the club's colors, badge design and logo, the Seattle MLS franchise announced their club's name. To decide the name, the organization held an online poll to decide the name. Overwhelmingly, supporters voted to retain the "Sounders" name, alluding to the past Sounders teams.

"Seattle Sounders FC" was announced as the team name on April 7, 2008, along with the team logo, colors, and badge design, in a presentation held at the [[Space Needle]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Matthew |last= Gaschk |title=Sounders FC by fans' acclamation |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/soccer/358051_sounders08.html |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=April 7, 2008 |access-date=July 19, 2009}}</ref> The "FC" in the team moniker stands for Football Club, but the team name is officially Seattle Sounders FC. The badge design resembles a [[Escutcheon (heraldry)|heraldic shield]] and consists of two layers which represent "the partnership between the ownership, the community, the players and the fans."<ref name="badge"/> The logo incorporates the [[Space Needle]], an internationally recognized Seattle landmark. The official team colors are Sounder Blue, signifying the waters of the [[Puget Sound]]; Rave Green, representing the forests of the [[Pacific Northwest]]; and Cascade Shale, representing the [[Cascade Range]] to the east of Seattle.<ref name="badge">{{cite press release |title=Badge and Colors Fact Sheet |date=April 7, 2008 |url=http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles/2008/04-April/Badge-and-Colors-Fact-Sheet.aspx#comments |publisher=Seattle Sounders FC |access-date=April 7, 2008 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716225722/http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles/2008/04-April/Badge-and-Colors-Fact-Sheet.aspx#comments |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Fans chose a name for the team in an online poll held between March 27 and 31, 2008. The initial list of possibilities – Seattle FC, Seattle Republic and Seattle Alliance – deliberately did not include Seattle Sounders in order to provide a "fresh start." Despite the names having been selected through fan research and internal committees, the omission of the traditional Sounders name rankled many in the Seattle community.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles/2008/04-April/Sounders-FC-Rings-True.aspx |title=Sounders FC Rings True |publisher=Seattle Sounders FC |first=Frank |last=MacDonald |date=April 9, 2008 |access-date=December 5, 2009 |archive-date=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112095515/http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles/2008/04-April/Sounders-FC-Rings-True.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=team_name>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/collegesports/2004296104_regr21.html |title=NW Briefs: List narrows for Seattle Major League Soccer team names |newspaper=The Seattle Times |first=José Miguel |last=Romero |date=March 21, 2008 |access-date=March 21, 2008}}</ref> In response to the backlash, the team added a fourth "write-in" option for the team name, allowing for any name to be suggested on the ballot.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/soccer/356474_mls26.html |title=Sounders name isn't dead yet |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |first=Matthew |last=Gaschk |date=March 25, 2008 |access-date=March 27, 2008}}</ref> Of the over 14,500 votes received for the new team name, 49% of the votes included some form of the name Sounders.<ref>{{cite news |title=Seattle Sounders FC Selected as Team Name |date=April 7, 2008 |url=http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles/2008/04-April/Seattle-Sounders-FC-Selected-as-Team-Name.aspx |publisher=Seattle Sounders FC |access-date=July 19, 2009 |archive-date=September 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914125513/http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles/2008/04-April/Seattle-Sounders-FC-Selected-as-Team-Name.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> Upon announcing the name, Hanauer acknowledged the significance of keeping with tradition: "The team playing at the highest level in our region has always been called Sounders. Starting with the NASL and then the USL 1st Division, we now have the chance to create a separate and distinct identity with the new MLS team."<ref>{{cite news |title=Introducing, the Seattle Sounders |date=April 7, 2008 |url=http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/07/introducing-the-seattle-sounders/ |newspaper=The New York Times |first=Jeffrey |last=Marcus |access-date=November 14, 2009}}</ref>

Team ownership revealed the first Sounders FC jersey on May 28, 2008, and announced [[Microsoft]] as the team's sponsor in a five-year deal worth approximately $20 million.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121194248966725139?mod=googlenews_wsj |title=Soccer's Sounders Get a Microsoft Kick |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |last=Futterman |first=Matthew |date=May 28, 2008 |access-date=May 28, 2009}}</ref> As part of the agreement, the [[Xbox 360]] and [[Xbox Live]] brands appear on the front of Sounders FC's jerseys and throughout the stadium.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles/2008/05-May/Sounders-FC-Announce-Sponsorship-with-Microsoft-and-Xbox-360.aspx |title=Sounders FC Announce Sponsorship with Microsoft and Xbox 360 |publisher=Seattle Sounders FC |date=May 28, 2008 |access-date=July 19, 2009 |archive-date=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112095057/http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles/2008/05-May/Sounders-FC-Announce-Sponsorship-with-Microsoft-and-Xbox-360.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Sigi Schmid era ===

==== 2009: Inaugural MLS campaign ====
{{see also|2009 Seattle Sounders FC season}}
[[File:Seattle Sounders v Red Bull New York kick off.jpg|thumb|[[New York Red Bulls]] kick-off to start the 2009 MLS season against Seattle]]
The Sounders began their inaugural MLS campaign during the 2009 MLS season. Prior to the opening match, the Sounders sold all 22,000 of their season ticket packages.<ref>{{cite news |first=William |last=Yardley |title=New Soccer Team Stokes Seattle's Passion |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/01/us/01seattle.html?partner=rss&emc=rss |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 31, 2009 |access-date=April 6, 2009}}</ref> The 22,000 ticket holders, gave the Sounders a record for the most season ticket holders ever in MLS history.<ref name="1stSellOut">{{cite press release |url=http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles/2009/03-March/Home-Opener-Sold-Out.aspx |title=Sounders FC Sells Out Home Opener |publisher=Seattle Sounders FC |date=March 2, 2009 |access-date=March 3, 2009 |archive-date=March 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305003745/http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles/2009/03-March/Home-Opener-Sold-Out.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> They played their first home match on March 19, 2009, to a sold-out crowd of 32,523, defeating the [[2008 MLS Cup|2008 MLS Cup runners-up]], [[New York Red Bulls]], by a 3–0 margin.<ref>{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Winner |title=Montero shines as Sounders FC roll |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/content/montero-shines-sounders-fc-roll |publisher=Major League Soccer |date=March 19, 2009 |access-date=April 18, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Seattle was the first MLS expansion team to win their first three games, and they did so with a [[Clean sheet|shutout]] in each.<ref>{{cite news |title=Keller ejected as Sounders FC lose for first time |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009026007_apsocmlswizardssoundersfc.html |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=April 11, 2009 |access-date=May 25, 2009}}</ref> [[Fredy Montero]] scored the first regular season goal in team history, finishing a movement from [[Sebastien Le Toux]] and [[Osvaldo Alonso]] in the 12th minute. Montero assisted [[Brad Evans (soccer)|Brad Evans']] goal, and also scored the team's third goal. [[Kasey Keller]], a veteran American goalkeeper who had played his entire career abroad, made his MLS debut at 39 years of age, and made two saves to register the team's first regular season shutout.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles/2009/03-March/Game-1.aspx |title=Sounders FC win inaugural game |first=Matt |last=Gaschk |date=March 19, 2009 |work=Seattle Sounders FC |access-date=April 11, 2010 |archive-date=April 6, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406042745/http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles/2009/03-March/Game-1.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

March 2009 saw Montero winning ''Player of the Week'' honors for week 1 and Keller for week 2.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/content/seattles-montero-wins-player-week |title=Seattle's Montero wins Player of Week |date=January 23, 2010 |work=Major League Soccer |access-date=April 11, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/content/seattles-keller-week-2-player-week |title=Seattle's Keller is Week 2 Player of Week |date=January 23, 2010 |work=Major League Soccer |access-date=April 11, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Montero won ''Goal of the Week'' for the first two games and was named the ''Player of the Month''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/content/forward-montero-earns-player-month |title=Forward Montero earns Player of Month |date=January 23, 2010 |work=Major League Soccer |access-date=April 11, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

After their first two victories at home, Sounders FC played their MLS away fixture against [[Toronto FC]]. The Sounders expected a challenging away environment, but were victorious in a 2–0 shutout. Soon after, reports out of Seattle linked Montero to a [[sexual assault]] case with an unidentified woman. In a statement made by Sounders publicist, Montero asserted that the allegations stemmed from a disagreement in which he sought to end the relationship.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2008990345_sounders06.html | work=The Seattle Times | title=Agent defends Sounders FC soccer star Fredy Montero | date=April 6, 2009}}</ref> and a police inquiry resulted in no charges being filed. Seattle Sounders FC suffered their first competitive loss at home against the [[Kansas City Wizards]]. [[Kasey Keller]] was sent off in the 29th minute for a handball outside the 18-yard box, as the Sounders fell 1–0 to the Wizards. The following week they lost at [[C.D. Chivas USA|Chivas USA]]. [[Chris Eylander]] was scored on twice while covering the goal during Keller's suspension. The Sounders again failed to score.

The Sounders returned to their winning ways in a 2–0 home win versus the [[San Jose Earthquakes]].

It was announced in early July that the Sounders had signed left-footed Costa Rican defender [[Leonardo González (Costa Rican footballer)|Leonardo González]] to help at the left back position. The position had been a weak spot in Seattle's defense and filled by three separate players throughout the season.<ref name="The Seattle Times July 3, 2009">{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2009414215_sounders03.html?syndication=rss|title=Sounders FC signs Costa Rican defender Leonardo Gonzalez|last=Jose|first=Romero|date=July 3, 2009|work=The Seattle Times}}</ref>

On July 11, the Sounders hosted the Houston Dynamo at Qwest Field. Brian Schmetzer filled in for Schmid who was at his son's wedding. Ianni scored his first goal of the season on bicycle kick that would earn him the MLS goal of the Week.<ref name="ESPN July 12, 2009">{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=261940&cc=5901|title=Seattle 2–1 Houston: Ianni's dramatic winner|publisher=ESPN|access-date=October 15, 2009|archive-date=July 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090715214750/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=261940&cc=5901|url-status=dead}}</ref> On the following Tuesday, the Sounders defeated the Dynamo at Strfire in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals. Houston led when Jaqua scored in the 89th minute. King scored a goal five minutes into [[extra time]], thus sending the Sounders FC to the Open Cup finals against D.C. United.<ref name="houston-opencup">{{cite news|first=José Miguel |last=Romero |title=Sounders beat Dynamo in Open Cup semis, 2–1 |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009513240_apsocopencupdynamosounders1stldwritethru.html |work=The Seattle Times |date=July 21, 2009 |access-date=September 10, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604100157/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009513240_apsocopencupdynamosounders1stldwritethru.html |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

On July 18, 2009, the Seattle Sounders lost 0–2 in a friendly with [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]. All sections of the stadium were open and sold out with a crowd of 65,289 in attendance. The game was the first with the team for Chelsea's new manager, [[Carlo Ancelotti]], and their new forward [[Daniel Sturridge]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Matt |last=Gaschk |title=65,000 watch Chelsea FC top Sounders FC 2–0 |url=http://www.soundersfc.com/Matchday/Matches/2009/Season/Chelsea.aspx |publisher=Seattle Sounders FC |date=July 19, 2009 |access-date=July 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706074729/http://www.soundersfc.com/Matchday/Matches/2009/Season/Chelsea.aspx|archive-date=July 6, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

The club set a state record for attendance at a soccer match on August 5, 2009, when 66,848 attended a [[Exhibition game|friendly match]] with [[FC Barcelona]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Winner |title=Messi shines as Barcelona tops Seattle |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/content/messi-shines-barcelona-tops-seattle |work=Major League Soccer |access-date=April 18, 2010 |date=August 6, 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

On September 2, 2009, Sounders FC became the second MLS expansion team in league history ([[Chicago Fire (soccer)|Chicago]] was first) to win the [[Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|U.S. Open Cup]] tournament in their first season.<ref name="opencup">{{cite news|title=Seattle Sounders FC Become Second MLS Expansion Team to Claim U.S. Open Cup Crown |url=http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Lamar-Hunt-U-S-Open-Cup/2009/09/Seattle-Sounders-Become-Second-Expansion-Team-to-Claim-US-Open-Cup-Crown.aspx |publisher=United States Soccer Federation |date=September 2, 2009 |access-date=September 3, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905014508/http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Lamar-Hunt-U-S-Open-Cup/2009/09/Seattle-Sounders-Become-Second-Expansion-Team-to-Claim-US-Open-Cup-Crown.aspx |archive-date=September 5, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> They did so by defeating [[D.C. United]] 2–1 on the road at [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium|RFK Stadium]].<ref name="Charles">{{cite news |first=Boehm |last=Charles |title=Sounders FC edge United, earn first trophy |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/content/sounders-fc-edge-united-earn-first-trophy |publisher=Major League Soccer |date=September 2, 2009 |access-date=April 18, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In winning the U.S. Open Cup tournament, they qualified for the preliminary round of the [[2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League]].<ref name="opencup"/>

On October 17, 2009, Sounders FC became the second MLS expansion team in league history (again, Chicago had been first) to qualify for the playoffs in their first season. They clinched a playoff berth with a come-from-behind victory over the [[Kansas City Wizards]] 3–2 at Kansas City.<ref>{{cite news |first=Bob |last=Rusert |title=Seattle tops Wizards, clinches playoff spot |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/content/seattle-tops-wizards-clinches-playoff-spot |publisher=Major League Soccer |date=October 17, 2009 |access-date=April 18, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Seattle finished the regular season with a record of 12 wins, 7 losses, and 11 ties. The club set a new MLS record for average attendance at 30,943 fans per game.<ref>{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Winner |title=Home crowd gives Sounders FC big boost |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/content/home-crowd-gives-sounders-fc-big-boost |publisher=Major League Soccer |date=October 25, 2009 |access-date=April 18, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Their inaugural season came to an end in the [[2009 MLS Cup Playoffs]] when they lost in the conference semifinals to the [[Houston Dynamo]] with a 1–0 aggregate score in a [[Two-legged match|two-legged series]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Jeremy |last=Rakes |title=Houston defeats Sounders, takes series |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/content/houston-defeats-sounders-takes-series-0 |publisher=Major League Soccer |date=November 8, 2009 |access-date=April 18, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> During the 2009 season, all 15 Sounders FC MLS regular season home matches, their home playoff match, and their 4 home U.S. Open Cup matches (played at [[Starfire Sports Complex]]) were sold out.<ref>{{cite news |first=José Miguel|last= Romero |title=Sounders success story, by the numbers |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2010203684_soundersnumbers05.html |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=November 4, 2009 |access-date=November 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091108012102/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2010203684_soundersnumbers05.html|archive-date=November 8, 2009}}</ref>

===== First U.S. Open Cup title =====
{{see also|2009 U.S. Open Cup|2009 U.S. Open Cup Final}}
[[File:SoundersUSOpenCup.jpg|thumb|Sounders FC captain, [[Kasey Keller]] and midfielder [[Osvaldo Alonso]] hoist the 2009 U.S. Open Cup trophy]]
During the Sounders FC first season in MLS, the club won their first ever [[U.S. Open Cup]] title, including any past Sounders franchise. The team was also the first club in modern Open Cup history to win the tournament after playing through a string of qualification propers to enter at the third round proper.

Prior to their first qualification match against [[Real Salt Lake]], Schmid asserted that the Open Cup was extremely critical to the club and that they were playing to win. One of the reasons the club cited, was the opportunity to qualify into the [[CONCACAF Champions League]] upon winning the Open Cup title.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/sounders/2009/04/27/sigi_schmid_quotes_4-27-09.html |title=Sigi Schmid quotes, 4–27–09 |access-date=January 24, 2009 |first=José Miguel |last=Romero |date=April 27, 2009 |work=The Seattle Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224175029/http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/sounders/2009/04/27/sigi_schmid_quotes_4-27-09.html |archive-date=February 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Sounders FC played U.S. Open Cup home games at the [[Starfire Sports Complex]] in [[Tukwila, Washington]]. The facility is older and smaller than the club's home stadium for league matches, [[Qwest Field]], but Sounders FC representatives preferred the atmosphere at Starfire for smaller cup matches.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlesports/archives/169659.asp |title=Colorado coach miffed at Sounders' playing facility |access-date=July 5, 2009 |first=Greg |last=Johns |date=May 7, 2009 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531183912/http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlesports/archives/169659.asp |archive-date=May 31, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In the first qualification proper, on April 28, 2009; the Sounders defeated Salt Lake 4–1. [[Sebastian Le Toux]] scored two goals, and [[Roger Levesque]] had three [[Assist (football)|assists]] in front of a sold-out crowd at Starfire.<ref>{{cite web |first=Andrew |last=Winner |title=Sounders FC defeat RSL in US Open Cup qualifier |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/content/sounders-fc-defeat-rsl-us-open-cup-qualifier |work=Major League Soccer |date=April 29, 2009 |access-date=April 9, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Sounders FC hosted their second qualification match on May 26, 2009, also at Starfire, this time against the [[Colorado Rapids]]. Reserve player [[Kevin Forrest]] scored the only goal in the match as Seattle defeated the Rapids 1–0, securing their entry into the third round proper of the official cup competition as one of the eight teams representing MLS.<ref>{{cite web |first=Matt |last=Gaschk |title=US Open Cup – Colorado Rapids Match Report |url=http://www.soundersfc.com/Matchday/Matches/2009/Season/US-Open-Cup-Rapids.aspx |work=Seattle Sounders FC |date=May 26, 2009 |access-date=January 25, 2010 |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016164743/http://www.soundersfc.com/matchday/matches/2009/season/us-open-cup-rapids.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

One of the most unforgettable matches for the Sounders, was the third round proper fixture against their longstanding rivals, the [[Portland Timbers (2001–10)|Portland Timbers]]. Considered their most bitter rival over the past 30 years, it was the first time in four years that any Sounders or Timbers club competed against one another in the Open Cup. Traveling south to [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], the Sounders claimed it would be one of the toughest matches of the entire tournament. In front of a sold-out crowd on July 1, 2009; the Sounders were able to defeat the Timbers 2–1, thanks to goals from Levesque and [[Nate Jaqua]].<ref>{{cite news |first=José Miguel |last= Romero |title=Sounders FC cuts down Portland 2–1 in spirited battle of Northwest rivals |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2009409566_sounders02.html |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=July 2, 2009 |access-date=January 25, 2010}}</ref> The following week, in a quarterfinal match at Starfire, Sounders FC defeated visiting [[Kansas City Wizards|Kansas City]] 1–0 on a [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty kick]] in the 89th minute scored by [[Sebastien Le Toux]].<ref>{{cite news |first=José Miguel |last=Romero |title=Sounders FC earns 1–0 victory over Kansas City Wizards in Open Cup |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2009430839_sounders08.html |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=July 8, 2009 |access-date=January 25, 2010}}</ref> Three weeks later, on July 21, Sounders FC won their semifinal match 2–1 over the [[Houston Dynamo]] at Starfire. Seattle took the lead for good when [[Stephen King (soccer)|Stephen King]] scored a goal five minutes into [[extra time]], sending Sounders FC to the cup final.<ref name="houston-opencup" />

On September 2, 2009, Sounders FC became the second MLS expansion team in league history ([[Chicago Fire (soccer)|Chicago]] was first) to win the [[Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|U.S. Open Cup]] tournament in their first season.<ref name="opencup"/> They did so by defeating [[D.C. United]] 2–1 on the road at [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium|RFK Stadium]].<ref name="Charles"/> In winning the U.S. Open Cup tournament, they qualified for the preliminary round of the [[2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League]].<ref name="opencup"/>

==== 2010: Second U.S. Open Cup and return to Champions League ====
{{see also|2010 Seattle Sounders FC season|2010 U.S. Open Cup Final|2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League}}
[[File:Sounders FC tifo 2010 03 25.JPG|thumb|alt=Fans in a stadium display a large banner. In the center is a picture of Thor wearing a green jersey and smashing the Union logo. It reads "Smash the Union" in the center, "Seattle" vertically on the left, and "Sounders" on the right.|The [[Emerald City Supporters]] display their [[tifo]] before the first game of the 2010 MLS season at Qwest Field between Seattle Sounders FC and the Philadelphia Union.]]

For the second consecutive year, the Sounders were chosen to host the opening match of the MLS season, which was held on Thursday, March 25 and nationally televised on ESPN2.<ref name="firstkick">{{cite press release |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/content/mls-clubs-2010-home-openers-unveiled |title=MLS clubs' 2010 Home Openers unveiled |access-date=November 23, 2009 |date=September 24, 2009 |publisher=Major League Soccer}}</ref><ref name="moreFirstkick">{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2009936517_more_on_first_kick_and_sounder.html |title=More on First Kick and Sounders FC opener at home next year |first=Jose |last=Romero |date=September 24, 2009 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 18, 2010}}</ref> [[Joe Roth]], Sounders FC Majority Owner stated, "Being selected to participate in the first match of the season is a testament to the passion and energy of our fans."<ref name="moreFirstkick"/> Their opponent was the expansion franchise [[Philadelphia Union]], the league's 16th team as they played in their inaugural match.<ref name="firstkick"/> Seattle won the match 2–0 with goals scored by [[Brad Evans (soccer)|Brad Evans]] in the 12th minute and [[Freddy Montero]] in the 43rd minute. The attendance of 36,241 set a team record for an MLS regular-season or postseason game.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2011445264_sounders26.html |title=Sounders FC opens season with resounding 2–0 win |first=Joshua |last=Mayers |date=March 25, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 18, 2010}}</ref>

2010 started off rough for the Sounders, first with a home loss to [[New York Red Bulls]] on April 2,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2011518178_sounders04.html |title=Red Bulls end road blues, stun Sounders FC 1–0 |first=Joshua |last=Mayers |date=April 3, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle times |access-date=April 18, 2010}}</ref> and subsequently relinquishing a two-goal lead against defending [[MLS Cup]] champions, [[Real Salt Lake]] at [[Rio Tinto Stadium|Rio Tinto]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2011578896_sounders11.html |title=Real Salt Lake gets late tie with Sounders FC, 2–2 |first=Joshua |last=Mayers |date=April 10, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 18, 2010}}</ref> In spite of knocking off Kansas City's unbeaten streak, the same situation would happen against [[FC Dallas|Dallas]], where the Sounders would play to another two-goal draw.

The following week, on April 17, Seattle returned home to face the undefeated [[Kansas City Wizards]]. The game appeared to be ending a scoreless tie until late substitute Michael Fucito scored his first career goal in 92nd minute of the match off a throw in from Brad Evans. Sounders FC defeated Kansas City 1–0.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2011634901_sounders18.html |title=Michael Fucito scores in injury time to lift Sounders FC over Wizards |first=Joshua |last=Mayers |date=April 17, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 24, 2010}}</ref> The following week, Seattle had two road games in a 4-day period. First they traveled to [[Frisco, TX]] to face [[FC Dallas]] on April 22. Steve Zakuani and Fredy Montero scored for Sounders FC while [[Jeff Cunningham]] scored two [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty kick]]s for Dallas, the second of which coming in [[extra time]] on a questionable call. The Dallas game ended in a 2–2 tie.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2011679150_sounders23.html |title=Sounders FC suffers another late-game disappointment, ties FC Dallas 2–2 |first=Joshua |last=Mayers |date=April 22, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 24, 2010}}</ref> During the second leg of the road trip on April 25, Sounders FC was defeated 2–0 by [[Toronto FC]] at [[BMO Field]]. Seattle conceded their first ever goal to Toronto when [[Dwayne De Rosario]] scored in the 58th minute. He later assisted [[O'Brian White]] on a second goal in the 76th minute.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sounders FC loses one early for a change, 2–0 to Toronto |first=Larry |last=Millson |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2011702875_sounders26.html |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 3, 2010 | date=April 25, 2010}}</ref>

Sounders FC began May with a tie at home against the Columbus Crew. Steve Zakuani scored an early breakaway goal in the 8th minute to take the lead. However, Seattle's stoppage time problems continued as the Crew's Steven Lenhart scored off a header in the first minute of stoppage time before the half. The game ended 1–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter-recap/smash-and-grab-crew-leave-seattle-point |title=Smash-and-grab Crew leave Seattle with a point |date=May 1, 2010 |work=Major League Soccer |access-date=May 20, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100707095324/http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter-recap/smash-and-grab-crew-leave-seattle-point |archive-date=July 7, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

{{football squad on pitch|align=right
| GK_nat  = USA| GK = [[Kasey Keller|Keller]]
| LB_nat  = CRC| LB = [[Leonardo González (Costa Rican footballer)|González]]
| RCB_nat = USA| RCB = [[Taylor Graham|Graham]]
| LCB_nat = JAM| LCB = [[Tyrone Marshall|Marshall]]
| RB_nat  = USA| RB = [[James Riley (soccer)|Riley]]
| AM_nat  = USA| AM = [[Mike Seamon|Seamon]]
| DM_nat  = CUB| DM = [[Osvaldo Alonso|Alonso]]
| LCF_nat = USA| LCF = [[Roger Levesque|Levesque]]
| RM_nat  = GAM| RM = [[Sanna Nyassi|Nyassi]]
| LM_nat  = COL| LM = [[Fredy Montero|Montero]]
| RCF_nat = COD| RCF = [[Steve Zakuani|Zakuani]]
| caption = The [[2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League]] lineup that defeated [[A.D. Isidro Metapán|Isidro Metapán]] 1–0 at home
}}

The following week, on May 8, Sounders FC hosted the Los Angeles Galaxy. Seattle's continued inability to score and their recent trend of defensive breakdowns culminated in an embarrassing 4–0 loss to the Galaxy. This was Seattle's worst ever defeat at home and it was played in front of a team record attendance for a regular season match of 36,273 fans.<ref name="losangeles">{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2011818248_sounders09.html |title=League-leading Galaxy shellacs Sounders FC, 4–0 |first=Mayers |last=Joshua |date=May 8, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 20, 2010}}</ref> Sounders FC newcomer Miguel Montaño made his debut with the club in the defeat to the Galaxy.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2011833166_the_silver_lining_in_defeat_mi.html |title=The silver lining in defeat, Miguel Montaño's sparkling debut |first=Mayers |last=Joshua |date=May 10, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 20, 2010}}</ref> The day after the lopsided defeat to Los Angeles, Sounders FC owner Adrian Hanauer announced a refund for all 32,000 season ticket holders for the embarrassment and indicated that changes were in the works for the club.<ref name="refund">{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2011825202_sounders10.html |title=Sounders FC to pay back fans for poor outing |first=Joshua |last=Mayers |date=May 9, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 20, 2010}}</ref>

Three days later, May 26, the team participated in their first friendly match of the season, winning it 3–0 in a shutout against [[Boca Juniors]]. [[Roger Levesque]], [[Pat Noonan]] and Mike Seamon each scored goals, the latter in his debut for the team.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mayers|first=Joshua|title=Sounders FC blasts Boca Juniors, 3–0|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2011963273_sounders27.html|access-date=May 30, 2010|newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=May 26, 2010}}</ref> The team ended the month with another 1–0 loss on May 29, this one against the [[Colorado Rapids]], on the road; [[Conor Casey]] scored the only goal of the match.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mayers|first=Joshua|title=Sounders FC drops 1–0 decision at Colorado|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2011988398_sounders30.html|access-date=June 1, 2010|newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=May 29, 2010}}</ref>

Sounders FC regrouped from the difficult loss to LA the next week when they visited the New York Red Bulls. Fredy Montero's absence from the starting lineup was a surprising change in the match. Montero, however, was subbed on late in the game and provided the winning goal in the 85th minute for a 1–0 victory.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2011876454_sounders16.html |title=Fredy Montero comes off bench to give Sounders FC 1–0 win over Red Bulls |first=Andrew |last=Keh |date=May 15, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 20, 2010}}</ref> During the first game of the [[Heritage Cup (MLS)|2010 Heritage Cup]] on May 22, the team lost 1–0 to the [[San Jose Earthquakes]] at Qwest. [[Chris Wondolowski]] scored 11 minutes in the match, lengthening the "scoring drought" for the Sounders FC at home.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mayers|first=Joshua|title=Sounders FC can't overcome early San Jose goal, lose 1–0|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2011931399_sounders23.html|access-date=May 30, 2010|newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=May 22, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kelly|first=Steve|title=San Jose hands Sounders FC 2nd consecutive shutout at home|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/stevekelley/2011932026_kelley23.html|access-date=May 30, 2010|newspaper=The Seattle Times|date=May 22, 2010}}</ref>

====2011: Third U.S. Open Cup====
{{see also|2011 Seattle Sounders FC season|2011 U.S. Open Cup Final}}

On November 22, 2010, Seattle made a trade with the [[Colorado Rapids]] for defenders [[Julien Baudet]] of France and [[Danny Earls]] of the [[Republic of Ireland]] for [[Peter Vagenas]].<ref name="Colorado_Trade">{{cite news |title=Colorado acquire Vagenas in trade with Seattle |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/colorado-acquire-vagenas-trade-seattle |publisher=MLSsoccer.com |date=November 22, 2010 |access-date=November 22, 2010 |archive-date=November 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127000845/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/colorado-acquire-vagenas-trade-seattle |url-status=dead }}</ref> Also, the list of the ten protected players for the [[2010 MLS Expansion Draft]] was decided by the club. The draft took place on November 24, 2010, when both the [[Portland Timbers]] and [[Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS)|Vancouver Whitecaps FC]] sectected ten players from the Major League Soccer teams, including [[Sanna Nyassi]] (who was later traded to Colorado) and [[Nathan Sturgis]] (who was later traded to Toronto) from [[Seattle Sounders FC]].<ref name="expansion-draft">{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2010-expansion-draft-pick-pick |title=2010 Expansion Draft: pick by pick |author=MLSsoccer.com |date=November 24, 2010 |access-date=November 24, 2010 |archive-date=January 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125193021/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2010-expansion-draft-pick-pick |url-status=dead }}</ref> Vancouver later traded Jamaican international [[O'Brian White]] to Seattle.<ref name="obrian_white">{{cite news |title='Caps pass O'Brian White on to Sounders |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/caps-pass-obrian-white-sounders |publisher=MLSsoccer.com |date=November 24, 2010 |access-date=November 25, 2010 |archive-date=November 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126232105/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/caps-pass-obrian-white-sounders |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On December 9, 2010, Swedish club, [[BK Häcken]] reported that [[midfielder]], [[Erik Friberg (footballer)|Erik Friberg]] completed a three-year deal with the [[Seattle Sounders FC]]. Seattle has completed a deal bringing him over to the Seattle-based club. They also have announced a contract extension with captain Kasey Keller. On December 15, 2010, the Sounders selected [[Chris Seitz]] of the [[Philadelphia Union]] in the [[2010 MLS Re-Entry Draft]].<ref name="re_entry_draft_day_2">{{cite news|title=Wolff, Angel selected in Re-Entry Stage 2 draft |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/wolff-angel-selected-re-entry-stage-2-draft |publisher=MLSsoccer.com |date=December 15, 2010 |access-date=December 15, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219135941/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/wolff-angel-selected-re-entry-stage-2-draft |archive-date=December 19, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The goalkeeper was later traded to [[FC Dallas]] for a fourth round pick of the [[2012 MLS SuperDraft]].<ref name="seitz">{{cite news |title=Sounders draft keeper Seitz, trade him to Dallas |url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/sounders/archives/231874.asp |publisher=Seattle PI |date=December 15, 2010 |access-date=December 16, 2010}}</ref> Defender [[Tyrone Marshall]] was also selected in the draft by the [[Colorado Rapids]].<ref name="re_entry_draft_day_2"/>

The Sounders also competed in two additional competitions during the 2010 season&nbsp;– the CONCACAF Champions League and the U.S. Open Cup. In the Champions League, Seattle progressed through the preliminary round, beating [[A.D. Isidro Metapán|Isidro Metapán]] 2–1 on aggregate, but was eliminated in the group stage.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013032175_apsoccdmarathonsounders1stldwritethru.html |title=Fucito's 2 goals boost Sounders past Marathon, 2–0 |first=Joshua |last=Mayers |date=September 29, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=October 11, 2010}}</ref> In the U.S. Open Cup, Seattle won matches at Portland and at home against the Los Angeles Galaxy and [[Chivas USA]] before reaching the final, which they hosted at CenturyLink Field against the [[Columbus Crew]]. On October 5, 2010, Seattle won the [[2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final|U.S. Open Cup final]], 2–1, becoming the first team since 1983 to repeat as U.S. Open Cup champions.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2010/10/seattle_sounders_defeat_columb.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006194009/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2010/10/seattle_sounders_defeat_columb.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 6, 2010 |title=Nyassi is nice: Seattle Sounders defeat Columbus Crew, 2–1, to repeat as U.S. Open Cup champions |first=Steven |last=Goff |date=October 6, 2010 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 11, 2010}}</ref> The final was played in front of a U.S. Open Cup record crowd of 31,311,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2010/10/06/nyassi-scores-twice-seattle-beats-columbus/print |title=Nyassi scores twice, Seattle beats Columbus 2–1 |first=Tim |last=Booth |date=October 6, 2010 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=February 18, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206082916/http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2010/10/06/nyassi-scores-twice-seattle-beats-columbus/print |archive-date=December 6, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and the victory ensured Seattle's return to the [[2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League|Champions League in 2011]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.concacaf.com/page/CL/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2176075,00.html |title=Seattle claims first berth in 2011–2012 CCL |date=October 5, 2010 |work=CONCACAF Web Site |access-date=October 7, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009025121/http://www.concacaf.com/page/CL/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C12813~2176075%2C00.html |archive-date=October 9, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

[[File:Sounders USOC 2011.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Several players are standing together with three trophies on the ground in front of them|Sounders FC players with the '09, '10, and '11 U.S. Open Cup trophies]]
The Sounders began the [[2011 Seattle Sounders FC season|2011 season]] by hosting the opening match of the MLS season for the third straight year.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2013723653_for_the_third-straight_year_so.html |title=For the third-straight year, Sounders FC to host stand-alone opener to kick off MLS season |first=Joshua |last=Mayers |date=December 10, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=January 14, 2012}}</ref> The club hosted the Los Angeles Galaxy, and lost 1–0.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014506147_apsocmlsgalaxysoundersfc2ndldwritethru.html |title=Juninho scores as L.A. beats Seattle 1–0 |date=March 15, 2011 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=January 15, 2012}}</ref> On April 22, 2011, in a match against the [[Colorado Rapids]], Seattle's star midfielder [[Steve Zakuani]] suffered a broken leg in a challenge by the Rapids' [[Brian Mullan]], which ended his season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2011-04-23-3553213542_x.htm |title=Sounders' Zakuani has fractured tibia, fibula |date=April 23, 2011 |newspaper=USA Today |access-date=April 24, 2011}}</ref> Despite setbacks and a slow start to the season (the club won just 3 of its first 10 matches), the Sounders went on to finish the season with the second-best record in the league at 18 wins, 9 draws, 7 losses, and qualified for the playoffs for a third consecutive year.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2016616996_sounders27.html |title=Give Sounders FC advantage entering Game 1 |first=Joshua |last=Mayers |date=October 28, 2011 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=January 14, 2012}}</ref> On October 4, 2011, Seattle won its [[2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final|third consecutive U.S. Open Cup]], becoming the first club to do so in 42 years, as they defeated the Chicago Fire 2–0 in front of another tournament record crowd of 35,615 at CenturyLink Field.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Lamar-Hunt-U-S-Open-Cup/2011/10/Seattle-Sounders-Claim-Third-Consecutive-Open-Cup-Title.aspx |title=Seattle Sounders Win Third Consecutive Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in Front of Record Crowd |date=October 5, 2011 |publisher=US Soccer |access-date=January 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121035705/http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Lamar-Hunt-U-S-Open-Cup/2011/10/Seattle-Sounders-Claim-Third-Consecutive-Open-Cup-Title.aspx |archive-date=January 21, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In the [[2011 MLS Cup Playoffs|MLS playoffs]], Seattle lost its Western Conference semi-final series 3–2 on aggregate to [[Real Salt Lake]]. The club dug itself a hole by losing 3–0 in Salt Lake, and could only net two goals in the second leg at home.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2016674372_sounders03.html |title=Sounders win, come close, but won't move on in playoffs |first=Joshua |last=Mayers |date=November 2, 2011 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=January 14, 2012}}</ref>

Sounders midfielder [[Mauro Rosales]] was recognized by the league as the 2011 Newcomer of the Year.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2016774655_mauro_rosales_named_mls_newcom.html |title=Mauro Rosales named MLS Newcomer of the Year |first=Joshua |last=Mayers |date=November 15, 2011 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=January 14, 2012}}</ref> In 2011, Seattle again broke its own league record for average attendance at 38,496. On October 15, 2011, the club hosted the third-largest crowd ever for a single MLS match, as 64,140 attended the final regular season home match.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blog.thenewstribune.com/soccer/2011/10/31/sounders-on-pace-for-eighth-largest-mls-playoff-crowd/ |title=Sounders on pace for eighth-largest MLS playoff crowd? |first=Don |last=Ruiz |date=October 31, 2011 |newspaper=The Tacoma News Tribune |access-date=January 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103162515/http://blog.thenewstribune.com/soccer/2011/10/31/sounders-on-pace-for-eighth-largest-mls-playoff-crowd/ |archive-date=January 3, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In the [[2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League]], the club finished second in its group and advanced to the knockout round, which was played starting in March 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2016541574_sounders19.html |title=Sounders lose 2–1 in group finale but advance to CONCACAF quarterfinals |first=Joshua |last=Mayers |date=October 18, 2011 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=January 14, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2016337794_sounders28.html |title=Alonso's goals let Sounders advance in CONCACAF Champions League |date=September 27, 2011 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=January 14, 2012}}</ref> In champions league group play, Seattle became only the second MLS team in history to win a competitive match in Mexico, defeating [[CF Monterrey]] 1–0 on August 23, 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2015994626_sounders24.html |title=Sounders FC pulls off historic win in Mexico, beating Monterrey, 1–0 |date=August 23, 2011 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=January 15, 2012}}</ref>

====2012: First trophy-less campaign====
{{see also|2012 Seattle Sounders FC season|2012 U.S. Open Cup Final}}
Seattle opened the [[2012 Seattle Sounders FC season|2012 season]] with a run of five straight wins in April and May,<ref>{{cite news |last=Mayers |first=Joshua |date=May 13, 2012 |title=Sounders FC's win streak comes to end with 1-0 loss to Real Salt Lake |page=C1 |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2018198743_sounders13.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=November 26, 2017}}</ref> but fell into a month-long, nine-match winless streak in June. The winless streak ended in a match on July 7, which saw the return of Steve Zakuani from rehabilitation, against the Colorado Rapids.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mayers |first=Joshua |date=July 8, 2012 |title=Sounders snap their winless streak |page=C1 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-snap-their-winless-streak-steve-zakuani-returns/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=November 26, 2017}}</ref> Seattle reached the [[2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final|U.S. Open Cup Final]] for the fourth consecutive year, becoming the first team to do so since 1937,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Lamar-Hunt-U-S-Open-Cup/2012/07/Sporting-Kansas-City-and-Seattle-Sounders-Advance-to-US-Open-Cup-Final.aspx |title=Sporting Kansas City, Seattle Sounders FC Advance to 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final |date=July 11, 2012 |publisher=US Soccer Federation |access-date=November 26, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715011535/http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Lamar-Hunt-U-S-Open-Cup/2012/07/Sporting-Kansas-City-and-Seattle-Sounders-Advance-to-US-Open-Cup-Final.aspx |archive-date=July 15, 2012 }}</ref> but lost to [[Sporting Kansas City]] in a penalty shootout after a 1–1 draw.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brewer |first=Jerry |date=August 9, 2012 |title=Sounders' quest for fourth U.S. Open Cup ends in penalty-kick loss |page=C1 |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/jerrybrewer/2018879038_brewer09.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=November 26, 2017 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033150/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/jerrybrewer/2018879038_brewer09.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In Champions League group play, the team advanced to the knockout round with four straight wins, each including a goal from [[Sammy Ochoa]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Oshan |first=Jeremiah |date=October 25, 2012 |title=CCL: Estrada, Ochoa prove a dynamite duo for Sounders |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2012/10/26/ccl-estrada-ochoa-prove-dynamite-duo-sounders |work=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=November 26, 2017}}</ref> The Sounders finished third in the Western Conference and qualified for the playoffs, where they advanced out of the first round for the first time in the team's history.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mayers |first=Joshua |date=November 9, 2012 |title=Sounders beat Real Salt Lake 1-0, advance in playoffs for first time |page=C1 |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2019640873_sounders09.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=November 26, 2017 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030857/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2019640873_sounders09.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the Conference Championship, Seattle fell 3–0 to Los Angeles in the first leg and came within one goal of tying the series on aggregate before letting an [[away goal]], winning the second leg 2–1 but losing 4–2 on aggregate.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mayers |first=Joshua |date=November 19, 2012 |title=Sounders FC comes up short against Galaxy |page=C1 |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2019711643_sounders19.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=November 26, 2017}}</ref> The 2012 season ended without a major trophy for the Sounders, for the first time in their MLS history, and the team failed to qualify for the [[2013–14 CONCACAF Champions League]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Mayers |first=Joshua |date=November 20, 2012 |title=Sounders will get to work shaping 2013 roster |page=C1 |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2019716548_sounders20.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=November 26, 2017}}</ref> The top scorer in league play was 28-year-old striker [[Eddie Johnson (American soccer)|Eddie Johnson]], who scored 14 goals in his first season with the club; he earned [[MLS Comeback Player of the Year Award|Comeback Player of the Year]] honors for his performance, which came after unsuccessful loans to European clubs.<ref>{{cite news |last=Boyle |first=John |date=November 27, 2012 |title=Sounders forward Eddie Johnson named MLS Comeback Player of the Year |url=http://www.heraldnet.com/sports/sounders-forward-eddie-johnson-named-mls-comeback-player-of-the-year/ |work=[[The Everett Herald]] |access-date=November 26, 2017}}</ref>

==== 2013: Arrival of Clint Dempsey ====
{{see also|2013 Seattle Sounders FC season}}
During the 2013 preseason, the Sounders signed their first [[Homegrown Player Rule (Major League Soccer)|homegrown player]], right back [[DeAndre Yedlin]],<ref>{{cite press release |date=January 11, 2013 |title=Sounders FC Signs First Homegrown Player |url=https://www.soundersfc.com/post/2013/01/11/sounders-fc-signs-first-homegrown-player |publisher=Seattle Sounders FC |access-date=December 3, 2017}}</ref> veteran defender [[Djimi Traoré]],<ref>{{cite news |date=February 23, 2013 |title=Sounders FC Signs Djimi Traore |url=https://www.soundersfc.com/post/2013/02/23/sounders-fc-signs-djimi-traore |publisher=Seattle Sounders FC |access-date=December 3, 2017}}</ref> and forward [[Obafemi Martins]], who bought his [[release clause]] from his Spanish club.<ref>{{cite news |last=Okeleji |first=Oluwashina |date=March 12, 2013 |title=Obafemi Martins relieved to complete Seattle transfer |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/21757361 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=December 3, 2017}}</ref> Longtime forward Fredy Montero left Seattle on loan to Colombian club [[Millonarios F.C.]] in January and,<ref>{{cite news |last=Mayers |first=Joshua |date=January 21, 2013 |title=Sounders officially loan Montero to Colombian champion Millonarios |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2020185180_sounders22.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=December 3, 2017}}</ref> by July, was loaned to [[Sporting CP]] in Portugal with an option to buy; Montero was sold permanently to Sporting in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 30, 2014 |title=Portuguese club Sporting CP complete transfer of former Seattle Sounders forward Fredy Montero |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2014/01/30/portuguese-club-sporting-cp-complete-transfer-former-seattle-sounders-forward-fredy |work=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=December 3, 2017}}</ref> The Sounders began the [[2013 Seattle Sounders FC season|2013 season]] with the [[2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League championship stage|knockout round]] of the 2012–13 Champions League, facing Mexican club [[Tigres UANL]] in the quarterfinals. After losing 1–0 in the away leg and conceding an [[away goal]] in the return leg, the Sounders scored three unanswered goals in the second half to win 3–1 and advance to the semifinals. With the win, the Sounders became the first MLS team to eliminate a Mexican team in the knockout stage of CONCACAF Champions League.<ref>{{cite news |last=Parker |first=Graham |date=March 13, 2013 |title=Traoré screamer helps Sounders to historic comeback against Tigres |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/mar/13/traore-seattle-sounders-tigres-concacaf-champions-league |work=The Guardian |access-date=December 3, 2017}}</ref> Seattle once again played Santos Laguna in the semifinal, but failed to advance after losing 1–0 at home and drawing 1–1 in [[Torreón]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Mayers |first=Joshua |date=April 10, 2013 |title=Seattle Sounders eliminated from CONCACAF Champions League by Santos Laguna |page=C3 |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2020743819_sounders10.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=December 3, 2017 |archive-date=December 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204171708/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2020743819_sounders10.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Sounders began the MLS season with a run of five matches without a win, the worst start in the team's history, due to injuries to key players.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mayers |first=Joshua |date=April 17, 2013 |title=Sounders hope history of rebounds repeats itself |page=C2 |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2020793448_sounders17.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=December 4, 2017}}</ref> The Sounders failed to advance in the U.S. Open Cup after losing to second-division [[Tampa Bay Rowdies]] in the third round, marking the end of the team's seven-year streak of appearances in the later rounds.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mayers |first=Joshua |date=May 31, 2013 |title=Sounders left speechless with recent tough losses |page=C1 |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2021090777_sounders31.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=December 4, 2017 |archive-date=December 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205143839/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2021090777_sounders31.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> As players returned to the team, Seattle improved to a six-win, four-loss record in 14 matches by late June.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mayers |first=Joshua |date=June 22, 2013 |title=Sounders hoping to continue turnaround at Real Salt Lake |page=C1 |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2021243701_sounders22xml.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=December 4, 2017}}</ref> In August 2013, the Sounders completed the signing of [[United States men's national soccer team|U.S. national team]] captain [[Clint Dempsey]] from [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] for $9&nbsp;million, the largest transfer deal in the league's history, and a record salary of $32&nbsp;million over four years.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Straus |first=Brian |date=August 2, 2013 |title=Shocking transfer has Dempsey headed to Seattle Sounders |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130802/clint-dempsey-transfer-mls-seattle-sounders-tottenham-hotspur/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806040157/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130802/clint-dempsey-transfer-mls-seattle-sounders-tottenham-hotspur/ |archive-date=August 6, 2013 |access-date=December 5, 2017}}</ref> The team's continued run of wins put them into Supporters' Shield contention in September, coming within one point of the league-leading Red Bulls,<ref>{{cite news |last=Mayers |first=Joshua |date=September 23, 2013 |title=Supporters' Shield well within Sounders' reach in final stretch |page=C2 |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2021878118_sounders23xml.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=December 4, 2017 |archive-date=June 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601173620/https://www.seattletimes.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> but fell to fourth place in the conference after a run of four straight losses in October.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mayers |first=Joshua |date=October 21, 2013 |title=Sounders clinch a playoff berth thanks to help from Galaxy |page=C2 |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2022091784_sounders21xml.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=December 4, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mayers |first=Joshua |date=October 29, 2013 |title=Playoffs mean new start for Sounders |page=C1 |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2022143889_sounders29xml.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=December 4, 2017 |archive-date=December 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205143800/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2022143889_sounders29xml.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Sounders beat the Colorado Rapids 2–0 in the knockout round, and drew rivals Portland in the conference semifinal.<ref>{{cite news |last=Moschetti |first=Mark |date=October 31, 2013 |title=Sounders survive, advance in playoffs |url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/oct/31/sounders-survive-advance-in-playoffs/ |work=[[The Spokesman-Review]] |agency=Associated Press |access-date=December 5, 2017}}</ref> Seattle fell 2–1 to the Timbers in the home leg and were defeated 3–2 in Portland, knocking the Sounders out in a performance that failed to live up to expectations.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mayers |first=Joshua |date=November 8, 2013 |title=Sounders' season of title hopes ends in playoff defeat to Portland |page=C4 |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2022215333_sounders08xml.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=December 5, 2017 |archive-date=June 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601173611/https://www.seattletimes.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Sounders continued to break the MLS average attendance record for the fourth and fifth consecutive year in 2012 and 2013, with an average of 43,144 and 44,038, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gaschk |first=Matt |date=October 29, 2013 |title=Seattle breaks attendance record for fifth straight season |url=https://www.soundersfc.com/post/2013/10/29/seattle-breaks-attendance-record-fifth-straight-season |publisher=Seattle Sounders FC |access-date=December 5, 2017}}</ref> The higher attendances were helped by the opening of additional sections in the Hawks' Nest,<ref>{{cite news |date=November 17, 2011 |title=Sounders' Hawks Nest tickets go on sale |page=C7 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> as well as the opening of the upper deck of CenturyLink Field for select regular matches.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gaschk |first=Matt |date=September 11, 2013 |title=Another massive crowd expected at CenturyLink Field on Friday |url=https://www.soundersfc.com/post/2013/09/11/another-massive-crowd-expected-centurylink-field-friday |publisher=Seattle Sounders FC |access-date=December 5, 2017}}</ref> The August 25, 2013, home match against the Portland Timbers drew a crowd of 67,385, the second-largest standalone attendance in league history.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 26, 2013 |title=Eddie Johnson gives Sounders 1-0 win over Timbers |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2013/08/26/eddie-johnson-seattle-sounders-portland-timbers/2698441/ |work=[[USA Today]] |agency=Associated Press |access-date=December 5, 2017}}</ref>

==== 2014: First MLS Supporters' Shield and fourth U.S. Open Cup====
{{see also|2014 Seattle Sounders FC season|2014 U.S. Open Cup Final}}

After a disappointing 2013 season, the Sounders replaced starting goalkeeper Michael Gspurning with Toronto's [[Stefan Frei]]. Several veteran players, including Eddie Johnson, Patrick Ianni, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Mauro Rosales, and Steve Zakuani, left the club as part of a major restructure; [[Brad Evans (soccer)|Brad Evans]] was named as club captain.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pentz |first=Matt |date=November 20, 2014 |title=How Sigi Schmid saved his job and moved the Sounders forward |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2025067300_sounders21xml.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=July 26, 2016 |archive-date=June 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601173625/https://www.seattletimes.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Marco Pappa]], an experienced MLS player and Guatemalan international, was added to the team. Homegrown player [[DeAndre Yedlin]] was transferred overseas to [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 13, 2014 |title=Tottenham confirm signing of DeAndre Yedlin on four-year contract |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/13/deandre-yedlin-signs-tottenham-hotspur-seattle-sounders |work=The Guardian |access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref>

The Sounders advanced to the [[2014 U.S. Open Cup Final]] and defeated the [[Philadelphia Union]] in [[Overtime (sports)#Association football|extra time]], to win their fourth trophy of the tournament. On October 25, 2014, the final game of the 2014 regular season, the Sounders defeated the LA Galaxy 2–0 to secure and win their first [[Supporters' Shield]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Bird |first=Liviu |date=October 25, 2014 |title=Pappa's brace carries Sounders to Supporters' Shield win over Galaxy |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/10/25/marco-pappa-two-goals-sounders-supporters-shield-win-over-galaxy |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref>

Entering the playoffs as the top seed, Seattle defeated FC Dallas on the [[away goals rule]] and advanced to the Western Conference Championship to face the LA Galaxy once again. The Sounders lost on [[aggregate score]] and the away goals rule after losing 1–0 away and winning 2–1 at home. LA would go on to win the MLS Cup.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lilgenwall |first=Ari |date=December 18, 2014 |title=2014 in Review: Seattle Sounders enjoy historic season, but fall just short of reaching MLS Cup |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/year-in-review/2014/seattle-sounders-fc |publisher=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227050554/http://www.mlssoccer.com/year-in-review/2014/seattle-sounders-fc |archive-date=December 27, 2014 |access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref>

==== 2015 season ====
{{see also|2015 Seattle Sounders FC season}}

Former [[Real Salt Lake]] general manager [[Garth Lagerwey]] was hired by the club in January 2015, replacing Adrian Hanauer.<ref name="Lagerwey">{{cite news |last=Kamrani |first=Christopher |date=January 6, 2015 |title=As expected, Garth Lagerwey named GM of Seattle Sounders |url=http://www.sltrib.com/sports/2027384-155/real-salt-lake-as-expected-garth |work=[[The Salt Lake Tribune]] |access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref>

Seattle was unable to repeat their successes in the 2014 season. The season started successfully, with several key wins that saw the team at the top of the Western Conference by June.<ref>{{cite news |last=Parchman |first=Will |date=November 11, 2015 |title=2015 In Review: Sounders FC began season with a bang |url=http://www.soundersfc.com/post/2015/11/10/2015-review-sounders-fc-began-season-bang |publisher=SoundersFC.com |access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref> During a [[2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup]] match against the Portland Timbers on June 16, however, Obafemi Martins left the game with a groin injury and Clint Dempsey was suspended after tearing a referee's pocketbook, though he would be called away for the [[2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Blue |first=Molly |date=June 19, 2015 |title=Seattle Sounders meltdown vs. Portland Timbers: What's next for Clint Dempsey? |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/index.ssf/2015/06/seattle_sounders_meltdown_vs_p.html |work=The Oregonian |access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Scott |first=Nate |date=June 19, 2015 |title=MLS hits Clint Dempsey with a 3-game suspension for ripping ref's notebook |url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/06/mls-hits-clint-dempsey-with-a-3-game-suspension-for-ripping-refs-notebook |work=USA Today |access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref>

The injury and suspension of the team's main attacking duo led to a death spiral during the summer, with Seattle winning only one match in nine games. By late August, Martins had recovered and led the team to an 8-match unbeaten streak to secure a playoff spot, finishing 4th in the Western Conference. The Sounders had also successfully topped their group in the [[2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League]], beating the Vancouver Whitecaps and [[Club Deportivo Olimpia]], with two wins, one draw, and one loss.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 23, 2015 |title=Seattle Sounders, LA Galaxy through to CCL knockout round |url=http://www.espnfc.com/concacaf-champions-league/story/2629233/seattle-sounders-la-galaxy-through-to-ccl-knockout-round |work=ESPN FC |agency=Associated Press |access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref> [[Paraguay]]an international [[Nelson Haedo Valdez]] was signed as the club's newest [[Designated Player Rule|designated player]], and was joined by fellow international signings [[Andreas Ivanschitz]] and [[Román Torres]] in August 2015;<ref>{{cite news |last=Ruiz |first=Don |date=August 15, 2015 |title=Sounders to sport new look against Orlando |url=http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/soccer/mls/sounders-fc/article31221407.html |work=The News Tribune |access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref> [[Erik Friberg (footballer)|Erik Friberg]] also returned to the club after his stint in Europe.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pentz |first=Matt |date=July 22, 2015 |title=Sounders happy with immediate impact from Erik Friberg |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-happy-with-immediate-impact-from-erik-friberg/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref>

During the playoff's opening knockout round, the Sounders defeated the LA Galaxy 3–2, ending a "curse" for the club, who had lost to LA in each of the three previous playoff matchups.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cohen |first=Stephen |date=October 28, 2015 |title=Sounders exorcise playoff demons, move past Galaxy in thrilling knockout round victory |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/sounders/article/Sounders-vs-Galaxy-6597229.php |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref> The playoff run would end in the next round, the Western Conference semifinals against FC Dallas, during a [[penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shootout]] after both teams were tied on [[aggregate score]] after [[extra time]] in Frisco, Texas.<ref>{{cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Kyle |date=November 8, 2015 |title=FC Dallas oust Sounders on penalties to reach West final |url=http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/inside-mls/mls-playoffs-conference-semifinals-second-leg-fc-dallas-seattle-sounders-recap-110815 |work=FOX Sports |access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Liljenwall |first=Ari |date=December 15, 2015 |title=2015 MLS Year in Review: Seattle Sounders |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/year-review/2015/seattle-sounders |work=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=July 26, 2016 |archive-date=August 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802202659/http://www.mlssoccer.com/year-review/2015/seattle-sounders |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In November 2015, Adrian Hanauer was made majority owner of the club, succeeding Joe Roth.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pentz |first=Matt |date=November 12, 2015 |title=Adrian Hanauer is the new majority owner of the Seattle Sounders |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/adrian-hanauer-is-the-new-majority-owner-of-the-seattle-sounders/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref> The club set a new attendance record during the 2015 season, with an average attendance of 44,247.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 26, 2015 |title=MLS sets new attendance records, Seattle hold highest average in league |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/10/26/mls-sets-new-attendance-records-seattle-hold-highest-average-league |work=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref>

==== 2016: Departure of Schmid ====
{{see also|2016 Seattle Sounders FC season}}
Prior to the 2016 season, Obafemi Martins abruptly left the club to sign with [[Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C.]] in the [[Chinese Super League]],<ref>{{cite news |date=February 18, 2016 |title=Obafemi Martins leaves MLS for Chinese Super League |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35573893 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref> a move that would hamper the Sounders' offense during the season. The move was mitigated somewhat by the signing of homegrown product [[Jordan Morris (soccer)|Jordan Morris]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Pentz |first=Matt |date=January 21, 2016 |title=Seattle Sounders officially unveil Jordan Morris as Homegrown Player signing |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/seattle-sounders-officially-unveil-jordan-morris-as-homegrown-player-signing/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref> GM Lagerwey also traded [[Marco Pappa]] and [[Lamar Neagle]] to other clubs in the offseason.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baxter |first=Kevin |date=July 23, 2016 |title=Seattle running out of patience with Schmid and floundering Sounders |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-soccer-baxter-20160723-snap-story.html |work=The Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref>

During the first half of the 2016 season, the Sounders failed to meet expectations, placing near the bottom of the league with 6 wins, 12 losses, and 2 draws. After a 3–0 loss on July 24 to Sporting Kansas City, in which the Sounders had only one shot,<ref>{{cite news |last=McDowell |first=Sam |date=July 24, 2016 |title=Sounders limited to one shot in 3-0 loss at Sporting Kansas City |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-limited-to-one-shot-in-3-0-loss-at-sporting-kansas-city/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref> Schmid left the club on mutual terms.<ref name ="sigi">{{cite magazine |last=Straus |first=Brian |date=July 26, 2016 |title=Little choice for Seattle Sounders to oust Sigi Schmid, change course |url=https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/07/26/sigi-schmid-fired-seattle-sounders-mls-garth-lagerwey |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=July 26, 2016}}</ref>

=== Brian Schmetzer era ===

====2016: Comeback and MLS Cup====
{{see also|MLS Cup 2016}}
Long-time assistant coach [[Brian Schmetzer]] was named interim head coach upon Schmid's departure.<ref name="sigi" /> The next day, the club announced their signing of Uruguayan midfielder [[Nicolás Lodeiro]] on a designated player contract,<ref>{{cite news |last=Pentz |first=Matt |date=July 27, 2016 |title=Sounders sign Uruguayan attacking midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro to Designated Player contract |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-sign-uruguayan-attacking-midfielder-nicolas-lodeiro-to-designated-player-contract/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 8, 2016}}</ref> as well as the return of former designated player [[Álvaro Fernández (Uruguayan footballer)|Álvaro Fernández]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Pentz |first=Matt |date=July 30, 2016 |title=New signings Nicolas Lodeiro and Alvaro Fernandez both available for Sounders against Galaxy on Sunday |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/new-signings-nicolas-lodeiro-and-alvaro-fernandez-both-available-for-sounders-against-galaxy-on-sunday/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 8, 2016}}</ref> Despite the sluggish start as well as the loss of midfielder [[Clint Dempsey]], who was forced in August to stop playing after evaluations for an irregular heartbeat,<ref>{{cite news |last=Pentz |first=Matt |date=September 27, 2016 |title=Sounders forward Clint Dempsey ruled out for the remainder of this season |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-forward-clint-dempsey-ruled-out-for-the-remainder-of-this-season/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=February 4, 2017}}</ref> the Sounders rose from ninth place to fourth place in the Western Conference and qualified for the [[2016 MLS Cup Playoffs]], with eight wins, two losses, and four draws. Schmetzer was named as permanent head coach as a result.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pentz |first=Matt |date=November 2, 2016 |title=Sounders remove interim tag, hire coach Brian Schmetzer on a full-time basis |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-remove-interim-tag-hire-coach-brian-schmetzer-on-a-full-time-basis/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=November 2, 2016}}</ref>

[[File:Sounders Victory Rally on 4th Avenue.jpg|thumb|The victory parade for the Sounders after [[MLS Cup 2016]]]]
At the end of the regular season, Jordan Morris was named the [[MLS Rookie of the Year]] after scoring the most goals of any American rookie in MLS (12),<ref>{{cite news |last=Pentz |first=Matt |date=November 10, 2016 |title=Sounders forward Jordan Morris named MLS Rookie of the Year |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-forward-jordan-morris-named-mls-rookie-of-the-year/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=February 4, 2017}}</ref> and Nicolás Lodeiro was named [[MLS Newcomer of the Year Award|MLS Newcomer of the Year]] for his 4 goals and 8 assists in 13 appearances.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pentz |first=Matt |date=November 21, 2016 |title=Sounders midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro named MLS Newcomer of the Year |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-midfielder-nicolas-lodeiro-named-mls-newcomer-of-the-year/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=February 4, 2017}}</ref> The Sounders advanced from the Knockout Round of the playoffs through a 1–0 win over [[Sporting Kansas City]], and beat [[FC Dallas]] 4–2 on aggregate to return to the Conference Final.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rosano |first=Nicholas |date=October 28, 2016 |title=Seattle Sounders 1, Sporting KC 0 &#124; 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs Match Recap |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/10/28/seattle-sounders-1-sporting-kc-0-2016-mls-cup-playoffs-match-recap |work=MLSSoccer.com |access-date=March 27, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rodriguez|first=Alicia |date=November 6, 2016 |title=FC Dallas 2, Seattle Sounders 1 &#124; 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs Match Recap |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/11/06/fc-dallas-2-seattle-sounders-1-2016-mls-cup-playoffs-match-recap |work=MLSSoccer.com |access-date=March 27, 2017}}</ref> The Sounders then defeated the [[Colorado Rapids]] 3–1 on aggregate in the final, clinching a spot in their first-ever MLS Cup.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rosano |first=Nicholas |date=November 27, 2016 |title=Seattle Sounders reach first MLS Cup with win over Colorado Rapids |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/11/27/seattle-sounders-reach-first-mls-cup-win-over-colorado-rapids |work=MLSSoccer.com |access-date=November 27, 2016}}</ref> On December 10, 2016, the Sounders defeated [[Toronto FC]] 5–4 in a [[penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shootout]], to win [[MLS Cup 2016]], their first MLS championship in franchise history, going the whole match without a shot on goal.<ref>{{cite news | title=Seattle Sounders defeat Toronto FC in shootout to win MLS Cup 2016 | date=December 10, 2016 | first1=Sam | last1=Stejskal | work=MLS | url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/10/seattle-sounders-defeat-toronto-fc-shootout-win-mls-cup-2016 | access-date=December 11, 2016 | archive-date=December 13, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213162437/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/10/seattle-sounders-defeat-toronto-fc-shootout-win-mls-cup-2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The team's performance was called a "[[cinderella (sports)|cinderella season]]" and hailed as one of the most dramatic MLS seasons to date.<ref>{{cite news |last=Murray |first=Caitlin |date=December 14, 2016 |title=There's never been a comeback like the Seattle Sounders' in MLS |url=https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/theres-never-comeback-like-seattle-sounders-mls-120916 |work=Fox Sports |access-date=March 27, 2017}}</ref>

====2017: MLS Cup rematch====
{{see also|2017 Seattle Sounders FC season|MLS Cup 2017}}

The Sounders began their title defense with the signings of two academy graduates and several veteran players from MLS and abroad.<ref>{{cite news |last=Miles |first=Todd |date=December 1, 2017 |title=3 biggest reasons the Sounders are back in the MLS Cup |url=http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/soccer/mls/sounders-fc/article187641083.html |work=[[The News Tribune]] |location=Tacoma, Washington |access-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref> Dempsey also returned from his hiatus and scored in his first match before being called up to the U.S. national team for World Cup qualification.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Geoff |date=March 4, 2017 |title=Clint Dempsey scores in return to lineup, but Sounders drop season opener |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/clint-dempsey-scores-in-return-to-lineup-but-sounders-drop-season-opener/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref> The season began with only five wins in the first 17 matches, but was followed by a 13-match unbeaten streak and additional wins to clinch a second-place spot in the Western Conference.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Geoff |date=August 11, 2017 |title=Sounders enter first-place showdown with Sporting KC healthy and riding 7-game unbeaten streak |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-head-in-to-first-place-showdown-confident-in-team-theyve-shaped/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Brennan |date=September 23, 2017 |title=Sounders' 13-match unbeaten streak comes to end with 2–0 loss to Real Salt Lake |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-13-match-unbeaten-streak-comes-to-end-with-2-0-loss-to-real-salt-lake/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=October 22, 2017 |title=Defending MLS champion Seattle Sounders claim No. 2 playoff seed in West |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2017/10/22/nicolas-lodeiro-scores-twice-sounders-beat-rapids/106919348/ |work=[[USA Today]] |agency=Associated Press |access-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref> In the playoffs, the Sounders beat the Vancouver Whitecaps and Houston Dynamo to win the Western Conference and return to the [[MLS Cup 2017|MLS Cup]], once again facing Toronto at BMO Field.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mahoney |first=Ridge |date=December 8, 2017 |title=MLS Cup Preview: Title game matches up tactics and toughness |url=https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/76003/mls-cup-preview-title-game-matches-up-tactics-and.html |work=[[Soccer America]] |access-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref> Seattle lost 2–0 to Toronto, who clinched the first domestic [[treble (association football)|treble]] in MLS history.<ref>{{cite news |last=Parker |first=Graham |date=December 9, 2017 |title=Jozy Altidore has last laugh to seal MLS Cup glory for Toronto FC |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/dec/09/jozy-altidore-mls-cup-glory-toronto-fc-seattle-sounders |work=The Guardian |access-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref> During the press conference following the loss, Schmetzer publicly set a goal for the Sounders to host an MLS Cup final in Seattle, which would be accomplished two seasons later.<ref>{{cite web |last=Krasnoo |first=Ryan |date=December 9, 2017 |title=Seattle Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer praises team effort, uses MLS Cup loss as chance to learn |url=https://www.soundersfc.com/news/seattle-sounders-head-coach-brian-schmetzer-praises-team-effort-uses-mls-cup-los |publisher=Seattle Sounders FC |access-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604011800/https://www.soundersfc.com/news/seattle-sounders-head-coach-brian-schmetzer-praises-team-effort-uses-mls-cup-los |url-status=live }}</ref>

====2018: Longest winning streak====
{{see also|2018 Seattle Sounders FC season}}
Seattle began the 2018 season with a run to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League, where they lost 3–1 on aggregate to eventual champions [[C.D. Guadalajara]]. During the Round of 16, Jordan Morris injured his [[Anterior cruciate ligament|ACL]] and was deemed unfit to play for the rest of the season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Geoff |date=February 26, 2018 |title=Sounders striker Jordan Morris out for the season with ACL injury |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-striker-jordan-morris-out-for-the-season-with-acl-injury/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 18, 2018}}</ref> Without Morris and several injured starting players, the Sounders lost nine of their first 15 matches and were placed bottom of the Western Conference by June. The club signed a new Designated Player, Peruvian forward [[Raúl Ruidíaz]], that month and began a long unbeaten streak that resulted in a playoff position in late August.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Geoff |date=August 14, 2018 |title=Forget the playoffs, Sounders now have a shot at a first-round bye |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/forget-the-playoffs-sounders-now-have-a-shot-at-a-first-round-bye/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 18, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Geoff |date=August 18, 2018 |title=Sounders move into playoff territory with record rout of Galaxy |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-move-into-playoff-territory-with-record-rout-of-galaxy/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 18, 2018}}</ref>

On September 1, the club broke the MLS record for most consecutive wins in the post-shootout era, having won eight consecutive matches. They then extended that win streak to nine games as they beat Vancouver 2–1 on September 15, before eventually losing to the Philadelphia Union on September 19.<ref>{{cite news |last=Liljenwall |first=Ari |date=September 19, 2018 |title=Amazed at nine-game winning streak, Sounders not ready to talk history yet |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/09/19/amazed-nine-game-winning-streak-sounders-not-ready-talk-history-yet-story.html |agency=Major League Soccer |work=Major League Soccer |access-date=January 15, 2019 |archive-date=June 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601173601/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/amazed-nine-game-winning-streak-sounders-not-ready-talk-history-yet-story.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Sounders finished second in the Western Conference with 18 wins, 11 losses, and 5 draws. With 14 wins in the final 16 matches of the season, the Sounders completed the best half season in league history.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Geoff |date=October 28, 2018 |title=Decision Day drama rockets Sounders into MLS playoff bye, win over San Jose |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/decision-day-drama-rockets-sounders-into-mls-playoff-bye-win-over-san-jose/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=November 9, 2018}}</ref> Minority owner Paul Allen died from complications related to [[non-Hodgkin lymphoma]] on October 15, 2018, leaving his stake in the Sounders to an estate executed by his sister [[Jody Allen]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Booth |first=Tim |date=October 16, 2018 |title=Future of Paul Allen's sports holdings remains unclear |url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/oct/16/future-of-paul-allens-sports-holdings-remains-uncl/ |work=[[The Spokesman-Review]] |access-date=November 9, 2018}}</ref> Seattle then faced the Portland Timbers in the Conference Semifinals, losing the away leg 2–1 and winning the home leg 3–2 to tie the series on aggregate after extra time. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Portland won 4–2; the home leg is considered to be one of the best playoff matches in league history due to its dramatic finish.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Geoff |date=November 8, 2018 |title=Cascadia classic: Sounders' season ends on penalty kicks in wild loss to Timbers |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/one-for-the-ages-sounders-season-ends-on-penalty-kicks-in-wild-loss-to-timbers/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=November 9, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Creditor |first=Avi |date=November 9, 2018 |title=Timbers Outlast Rival Sounders in PKs to Advance After MLS Playoff Classic |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2018/11/09/seattle-sounders-portland-timbers-mls-playoffs-second-leg-pks-asprilla-ruidiaz |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=November 9, 2018}}</ref>

====2019: Second MLS Cup title====
{{see also|2019 Seattle Sounders FC season|MLS Cup 2019}}

The 2019 MLS season began with the loss of team captain and inaugural season player [[Osvaldo Alonso]], who was released into free agency and signed with [[Minnesota United FC]] before the season began.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Geoff |date=January 10, 2019 |title=Sounders captain and original 2009 member Osvaldo Alonso signs with Minnesota United FC |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-captain-and-original-2009-member-osvaldo-alonso-signs-with-minnesota-united-fc/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref> Defender [[Chad Marshall]], who had joined in 2014, announced his retirement from professional soccer on May 22, leaving unexpectedly mid-way through the season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=May 22, 2019 |title=Sounders defender Chad Marshall announces retirement, ending 16-year MLS career |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-defender-chad-marshall-announces-retirement-ending-16-year-mls-career/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref> Despite the loss of these two players, plus the suspension of [[Román Torres]] for ten matches for testing positive for a [[performance-enhancing substance]] in August,<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=August 2, 2019 |title=Sounders defender Roman Torres suspended 10 games for violating MLS substance-abuse policy |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-defender-roman-torres-suspended-10-games-for-violating-mls-substance-abuse-policy/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=August 14, 2019}}</ref> the Sounders finished 2nd in the Western Conference and 4th in the overall league table, good enough to qualify for a spot in the 2020 CONCACAF Champions' League<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/08/27/how-mls-teams-could-qualify-2020-concacaf-champions-league | title=How MLS teams can qualify for the 2020 Concacaf Champions League | date=October 25, 2019 | access-date=October 25, 2019 | first=Ian | last=Quillen}}</ref> and a record 11th-straight appearance in the MLS Cup Playoffs.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/10/07/mls-cup-playoff-power-rankings-postseason | title=MLS Playoff Power Rankings: Separating MLS Cup Contenders From the Pack | date=7 October 2019 | access-date=11 November 2019}}</ref>

The Sounders defeated FC Dallas 4–3 in the first round with a hat-trick from Jordan Morris, who had been named MLS Comeback Player of the Year following his return from an ACL tear.<ref>{{cite news |last=Iniguez |first=Alex |date=October 22, 2019 |title=Sounders forward Jordan Morris named MLS Comeback Player of the Year |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-forward-jordan-morris-named-mls-comeback-player-of-the-year/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 20, 2022}}</ref> The team then won against Real Salt Lake at home and traveled away to play in the Conference Finals against Supporters' Shield winners Los Angeles FC, where they won 3–1.<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=October 23, 2019 |title=Sounders beat Salt Lake 2–0, have shot at another MLS Western Conference championship |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-beat-salt-lake-2-0-have-shot-at-another-western-conference-championship/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 20, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=October 30, 2019 |title=Seattle Sounders upset MLS-best Los Angeles FC to earn third trip to MLS Cup in four years |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2019/10/29/mls-cup-seattle-sounders-upset-lafc-western-conference-final/2505572001/ |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |accessdate=April 20, 2022}}</ref> Seattle hosted the [[MLS Cup 2019|MLS Cup final]] against Toronto FC, playing them for the third time in four years, and won 3–1 to clinch their second championship. The match drew an attendance of 69,274, setting records for the team and any sporting event at CenturyLink Field.<ref>{{cite news |last=Petterson |first=Joel |date=November 10, 2019 |title=Seattle Beats Toronto to Win M.L.S. Cup |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/10/sports/soccer/seattle-sounders-mls-cup.html |work=The New York Times |accessdate=April 20, 2022}}</ref>

====2020: Pandemic and MLS Cup runners-up====
{{see also|2020 Seattle Sounders FC season|MLS Cup 2020}}
Seattle opened the 2020 season with the [[2020 CONCACAF Champions League|CONCACAF Champions League]], where they lost in the round of 16 to [[C.D. Olimpia]] in a [[penalty shootout (association football)|penalty shootout]] after a 4–4 aggregate draw.<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=February 27, 2020 |title=Sounders stunned in CONCACAF Champions League, losing in penalty shootout to visiting CD Olimpia |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-stunned-in-concacaf-champions-league-losing-on-penalty-kicks-to-visiting-cd-olimpia/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 20, 2022}}</ref> The Sounders played two regular season matches at home before MLS suspended all activities on March 12, 2020, due to the worsening [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]], which had been affecting the Seattle area for several weeks.<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=March 12, 2020 |title=Due to coronavirus concerns, Sounders cancel all operations at practice facility after MLS season suspension |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/due-to-coronavirus-concerns-sounders-cancel-all-operations-at-practice-facility-after-mls-season-suspension/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 20, 2022}}</ref> The league returned in the [[MLS is Back Tournament]], played in the [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]] area, and the Sounders earned a 1–1–1 record in group play. They advanced to the round of 16, where they lost 4–1 to Los Angeles FC.<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=July 27, 2020 |title=Mistakes by Sounders make it easier for LAFC to knock them out of MLS is Back tournament |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/mistakes-by-sounders-make-it-easier-for-lafc-to-knock-them-out-of-mls-is-back-tournament/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 20, 2022}}</ref> The team then resumed hosting matches with [[behind closed doors (sport)|no spectators]] at CenturyLink Field (renamed Lumen Field near the end of the season) and primarily played against West Coast teams due to limited travel.<ref>{{cite news |last=Calkins |first=Matt |date=August 30, 2020 |title=No fans doesn't mean Sounders still won't put on good show, and it takes nothing from the victory |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/no-fans-doesnt-mean-sounders-still-wont-put-on-good-show-and-it-takes-nothing-from-the-win/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 20, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=July 24, 2021 |title=Will Sounders rely on teen lineup against Sporting Kansas City? |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/will-sounders-rely-on-teen-lineup-against-sporting-kansas-city/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 20, 2022}}</ref>

The Sounders cancelled an away match against the LA Galaxy in August to join a [[2020 American athlete strikes|multi-sport boycott]] to protest racial injustice.<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=August 26, 2020 |title=Sounders opt to sit out Wednesday's match against Galaxy in protest of racial injustice |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-players-involved-in-mls-discussions-on-whether-to-sit-out-wednesdays-match-in-protest-of-racial-injustice/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 20, 2022}}</ref> They later set a franchise record for largest margin of victory with a 7–1 home win against the San Jose Earthquakes on September 10.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 11, 2020 |title=Sounders set club record with 7-1 rout of Earthquakes |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2020/09/11/sounders-set-club-record-with-7-1-rout-of-earthquakes/113818962/ |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |accessdate=April 20, 2022}}</ref> The team clinched their 12th consecutive playoff berth and finished second in the Western Conference.<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=November 8, 2020 |title=Sounders secure No. 2 playoff seed with 4-1 drubbing of San Jose |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-secure-no-2-playoff-seed-with-4-1-drubbing-of-san-jose/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 20, 2022}}</ref> In the playoffs, the Sounders defeated Los Angeles FC and FC Dallas to host Minnesota United FC in the Western Conference Final.<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=December 1, 2020 |title=Sounders fight past FC Dallas to reach Western Conference title match |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-fight-past-fc-dallas-to-reach-western-conference-title-match/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 20, 2022}}</ref> Minnesota took a 2–0 lead in the second half, but Seattle responded with three goals in the final 18 minutes to complete a comeback victory and secure a fourth MLS Cup appearance in five years.<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=December 7, 2020 |title=Sound the Alarms! Sounders FC mounts incredible rally to win Western Conference title 3-2 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sound-the-alarms-sounders-fc-mounts-incredible-rally-to-win-western-conference-title-3-2/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 20, 2022}}</ref> The Sounders faced the Columbus Crew in the [[MLS Cup 2020|2020 MLS Cup final]] and lost 3–0 in front of 1,500 spectators at [[Mapfre Stadium]] on December 12—the latest calendar date to host a league match.<ref>{{cite news |last=Das |first=Andrew |date=December 12, 2020 |title=Columbus Wins M.L.S. Cup, the Final Stop on a Journey to Stay Put |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/12/sports/soccer/columbus-crew-mls-cup.html |work=The New York Times |accessdate=April 20, 2022}}</ref>

====2021: Leagues Cup runners-up====
{{see also|2021 Seattle Sounders FC season|2021 Leagues Cup Final}}
Seattle opened the 2021 season with a 13-match unbeaten streak, setting a new MLS record in the process, despite missing Nicolas Lodeiro, Jordan Morris, Stefan Frei, and Raul Ruidiaz to long-term injuries. Manager Brian Schmetzer switched to a 3–5–2 formation that led to only eight conceded goals during the streak.<ref>{{cite news |last=Doyle |first=Matthew |date=December 8, 2021 |title=What the 2021 MLS season meant for Seattle Sounders FC |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/what-the-2021-mls-season-meant-for-seattle-sounders-fc |work=MLSsoccer.com |accessdate=April 20, 2022}}</ref> The Sounders retained the Cascadia Cup with a 2–1–1 record, including a 6–2 away victory over the Portland Timbers.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mondello |first=Joseph |date=November 7, 2021 |title=Seattle Sounders draw Vancouver Whitecaps on the road in final match of 2021 MLS regular season |url=https://www.soundersfc.com/news/seattle-sounders-draw-vancouver-whitecaps-on-the-road-in-final-match-of-2021-mls |work=SoundersFC.com |accessdate=April 20, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=August 15, 2021 |title=Sounders tie record most goals in history of derby in victory vs. Timbers |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-record-most-goals-in-history-of-derby-in-victory-vs-timbers/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 20, 2022}}</ref> The team also won twice against Mexican clubs UANL and Santos Laguna in the [[2021 Leagues Cup]] and advanced to the final, where they lost 3–2 to [[Club León]] in [[Las Vegas]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=September 22, 2021 |title=Sounders can't hold lead against Club Leon of Mexico, lose Leagues Cup final 3-2 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-cant-hold-lead-against-club-leon-of-mexico-lose-leagues-cup-final-3-2/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 20, 2022}}</ref> Seattle maintained their first-place position in the Western Conference despite several losses in the summer, but fell into a winless streak over the final six matches of the season to finish second in the West. They qualified for the playoffs but were eliminated in the first round by Real Salt Lake in a penalty shootout.<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=November 23, 2021 |title=Sounders' struggles extend to playoffs, as they fall to Real Salt Lake on penalty kicks |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-fall-to-real-salt-lake-on-penalty-kicks-in-mls-playoffs/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 20, 2022}}</ref>

====2022: First CONCACAF Champions League title====
{{see also|2022 Seattle Sounders FC season|2022 CONCACAF Champions League Final}}

The team qualified for the [[2022 CONCACAF Champions League]] as the best-performing MLS club without their own berth, replacing the slot reserved for the cancelled U.S. Open Cup.<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=February 16, 2022 |title=Sounders return to CONCACAF play, hoping for better result this time |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-return-to-concacaf-play-hoping-for-better-result-this-time/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 20, 2022}}</ref> In the round of 16, the Sounders were held to a scoreless draw to [[F.C. Motagua]] in Honduras but defeated them 5–0 in the second leg at home.<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=February 24, 2022 |title=Sounders advance to CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals by blasting F.C. Motagua |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-advance-to-concacaf-champions-league-quarterfinals-by-blasting-f-c-motagua/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=April 20, 2022}}</ref> Seattle then faced Club León in a rematch of the Leagues Cup Final, winning 3–0 at home in the first leg and drawing 1–1 in the second leg to advance to the semifinals.<ref>{{cite news |last=Liljenwall |first=Ari |date=March 17, 2022 |title=Recap: Club León 1, Seattle Sounders FC 1 (1-4 aggregate: SEA advance to semifinals) |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/recap-club-leon-1-seattle-sounders-fc-1 |work=MLSsoccer.com |accessdate=April 20, 2022}}</ref> The team played [[MLS Cup 2021]] champions [[New York City FC]] in the semifinals, winning 3–1 at home in the first leg and drawing 1–1 in the second leg to advance 4–2 on aggregate. The Sounders advance to their first [[2022 CONCACAF Champions League Final|Champions League final]] to face Mexican club [[Club Universidad Nacional|UNAM]], who hosted the first leg.<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=April 13, 2022 |title=Sounders advance to their first CCL final — and a draw was enough |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-advance-to-their-first-ccl-final-and-a-draw-was-enough/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 20, 2022}}</ref> The two teams drew 2–2 and returned to Seattle, where the Sounders won 3–0 in front of 68,741, setting a competition attendance record. The Sounders became the first MLS club to win the CONCACAF Champions League with their 5–2 aggregate victory.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Creditor |first=Avi |date=May 4, 2022 |title=Seattle Ends MLS's CCL Futility, Routs Pumas to Win Concacaf's Title |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2022/05/05/seattle-sounders-pumas-unam-ccl-final-video-highlights |magazine=Sports Illustrated |accessdate=May 4, 2022}}</ref> As CONCACAF champions, Seattle became the first MLS club to qualify for the [[FIFA Club World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Mather |first=Victor |date=May 5, 2022 |title=The Sounders Qualified for the Club World Cup. No One Knows When It Is. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/05/sports/soccer/sounders-club-world-cup.html |work=The New York Times |accessdate=May 5, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Liljenwall |first=Ari |date=January 30, 2023 |title=Seattle Sounders: What to know about MLS's first Club World Cup participant |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/seattle-sounders-fc-what-to-know-about-mls-s-first-club-world-cup-participant |work=MLSsoccer.com |accessdate=April 18, 2023}}</ref>

== Sounders uniform evolution ==
The kits used by various Sounders' franchises over the years have varied.

=== NASL Era (1974–1983) ===
<ref>{{cite web |last1=Morrison |first1=Dave |title=NASL Jerseys Sounders |url=https://www.nasljerseys.com/Jerseys/Sounders_Jerseys_NASL.htm |website=North American Soccer League Jerseys |access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref>
{|
|
|{{Football kit/No check
| leftarm = 046A3C | body = FFFFFF | rightarm = 046A3C | shorts = 046ECC | socks = FFFFFF
| pattern_la = _borderonwhite | pattern_ra = _borderonwhite | title = NASL Home<br />1974–76}}
|
|{{Football kit/No check
| leftarm = 046A3C | body = 046A3C | rightarm = 046A3C | shorts = 046ECC | socks = 046A3C
| pattern_b = _shoulder_and_side_stripes_white_shirt | pattern_la = _shoulder_stripes_white_shirt_alt | pattern_ra = _shoulder_stripes_white_shirt_alt | pattern_sh = _adidaswhite | pattern_so = _color_3_stripes_on_white | title = NASL Home<br />1977}}
|
|{{Football kit/No check
| leftarm = 046ECC | body = 046ECC | rightarm = 046ECC | shorts = FFFFFF | socks = FFFFFF
| pattern_b = _sides_and_collar_on_white | pattern_la = _borderonwhite | pattern_ra = _borderonwhite | title = NASL Home<br />1978–79}}
|
|{{Football kit/No check
| leftarm = 046ECC | body = 046ECC | rightarm = 046ECC | shorts = 046A3C | socks = FFFFFF
| pattern_b = _sounders1980h | pattern_la = _sounders1980h | pattern_ra = _sounders1980h | pattern_sh = _sides_on_white | title = NASL Home<br />1980–82}}
|
|{{Football kit/No check
| leftarm = 021f3e | body = 021f3e | rightarm = 021f3e | shorts = 021f3e | socks = 021f3e
| pattern_b = _pinstripes_and_collar_on_white | pattern_la = _pinstripes_and_border_on_white | pattern_ra = _pinstripes_and_border_on_white | | pattern_sh = _adidaswhite | pattern_so = _color_3_stripes_on_white
| title = NASL Home<br />1983}}
|
|{{Football kit/No check
| leftarm = 046A3C | body = 046A3C | rightarm = 046A3C | shorts = 046ECC | socks = 046A3C |
| pattern_la = _whiteborder | pattern_ra = _whiteborder | title = NASL Away<br />1974–75}}
|
|{{Football kit/No check
| leftarm = 046A3C | body = 046A3C | rightarm = 046A3C | shorts = 046ECC | socks = 046A3C
| pattern_b = _shoulder_stripes_white_stripes | pattern_la = _shoulder_stripes_white_stripes_alt | pattern_ra = _shoulder_stripes_white_stripes_alt | pattern_sh = _adidaswhite | pattern_so = _color_3_stripes_on_white | title = NASL Away <br />1976–77}}
|
|{{Football kit/No check
| leftarm = 046A3C | body = 046A3C | rightarm = 046A3C | shorts = 046A3C | socks = 046A3C
| pattern_b = _sides_and_collar_white | pattern_la = _whiteborder | pattern_ra = _whiteborder | title = NASL Away<br />1978–79}}
|
|{{Football kit/No check
| leftarm = 046ECC | body = 046ECC | rightarm = 046ECC | shorts = 046A3C | socks = 046ECC
| pattern_b = _sounders1980a | pattern_la = _sounders1980h | pattern_ra = _sounders1980h | pattern_sh = _sides_on_white | title = NASL Away<br />1980–82}}
|
|{{Football kit/No check
| leftarm = 021f3e | body = 021f3e | rightarm = 021f3e | shorts = 021f3e | socks = 021f3e
| pattern_b = _pinstripes_and_collar_white | pattern_la = _pinstripes_and_border_white | pattern_ra = _pinstripes_and_border_white | pattern_sh = _adidaswhite | pattern_so = _color_3_stripes_white
| title = NASL Away<br />1983}}
|
<!--
|{{Football kit/No check
| leftarm = 021f3e | body = 021f3e | rightarm = 021f3e | shorts = 021f3e | socks = 021f3e
| pattern_b = _pinstripes_and_collar_white | pattern_la = _pinstripes_and_border_white | pattern_ra = _pinstripes_and_border_white | pattern_sh = _adidasonwhite | pattern_so = _color_3_stripes_white
| title = NASL Away<br />Alt. 1983}}-->
|}

=== USL Era (1994–2008) ===
<ref>{{cite web |last1=Andrews |first1=Allison |title=The Timber Mill |url=http://soccercityusa.pdxcite.net/timbers/ |website=The Timber Mill |access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=GoalWA |title=GoalWA -- YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTNkugAeAusYa4necKSE7ug |publisher=YouTube |access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref>
{|
|
|{{Football kit
| leftarm = FFFFFF | body = FFFFFF | rightarm = FFFFFF | shorts = 080808 | socks = ffffff |
| pattern_b = _sounders95h | pattern_la = _sounders_95h | pattern_ra = _sounders95h
| title = USL Home<br />1994&ndash;95<ref name="When_Seattle_stood_atop_America">{{cite web |last1=MacDonald |first1=Frank |title=1995: When Seattle stood atop America |url=https://www.soundersfc.com/post/2014/08/19/1995-when-seattle-stood-atop-america |publisher=Seattle Sounders FC |access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=GoalWA |title=1994 Seattle Sounders |date=November 22, 2006 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq1uGtv64_s |publisher=YouTube |access-date=13 May 2019}}</ref>}}
|
|{{Football kit
| leftarm = ffffff | body = ffffff | rightarm = ffffff | shorts = 000000 | socks = FFFFFF 
| pattern_b = _sounders94a | pattern_la = _sounders94a | pattern_ra = _sounders94a | title = USL Away<br />1994<ref>{{cite web |last1=GoalWA |title=1994 Seattle Sounders APSL Soccer Highlights |date=December 28, 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qBM3CeuGPI |publisher=YouTube |access-date=13 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Seattle Pitch |title=1994 Sounders |url=http://seattlepitch.tripod.com/matches/94/94.html |website=Seattle Pitch Matches |access-date=13 May 2019}}</ref>}}
|
|{{Football kit
| leftarm = FFFFFF | body = FFFFFF | rightarm = FFFFFF | shorts = 080808 | socks = ffffff |
| pattern_b = _sounders95a | pattern_la = _sounders_95a | pattern_ra = _sounders_95a
| title = USL Away<br>1995<ref name="When_Seattle_stood_atop_America" />}}
|
|{{Football kit
| leftarm = FFFFFF | body = FFFFFF | rightarm = FFFFFF | shorts = FFFFFF | socks = FFFFFF |
| pattern_b = _blackbars | pattern_la = _blackborder | pattern_ra = _blackborder | pattern_sh = _blackbottom
| title = USL Away<br>1996&ndash;97<ref>{{cite web |last1=MacDonald |first1=Frank |title=View to a Kill |url=http://www.frankmacdonald.net/?p=2356 |website=The Frank MacDonald Blog |date=March 13, 2018 |access-date=13 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=GoalWA |title=Seattle Sounders 1995 & 1996 A-League Champions! |url=https://www.youtuabe.com/watch?v=c6g6v5ETEdw |publisher=YouTube |access-date=13 May 2019}}</ref>}}
|
|{{Football kit
| leftarm = 080808 | body = 080808 | rightarm = 080808 | shorts = FFFFFF | socks = 080808 |
| pattern_b = _thin_dark_grey_hoops | pattern_la = _thindarkgreyhoops | pattern_ra = _thindarkgreyhoops
| title = USL Home<br>1997<ref>{{cite web |last1=Morrison |first1=Dave |title=NASL Sounders Rosters |url=https://www.nasljerseys.com/Rosters/Sounders_Rosters.htm |website=North American Soccer League Jerseys}}</ref>}}
|
|{{Football kit
| leftarm = 000000 | body = 000000 | rightarm = 000000 | shorts = 000000 | socks = 000000 
| pattern_la =_whiteshoulders | pattern_ra =_whiteshoulders | pattern_b = _whiteshoulders | title = USL Home<br>1998<ref>{{cite web |last1=gum.cards |title=Seattle Sounders Card (1997/98) Brandon Prideaux |url=https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Seattle-Sounders-Card-1997-98-Brandon-Prideaux/192838676751?hash=item2ce614b10f:g:B1gAAOSwAvFcc9~I |website=eBay }}</ref>}}
|
|{{Football kit
| leftarm = ffffff | body = 000000 | rightarm = ffffff | shorts = 000000 | socks = ffffff 
| pattern_la =_zaglebie1617a | pattern_ra =_zaglebie1617a | pattern_b = _shouldersonwhite | pattern_so = _band_black | title = USL Away<br>1998<ref>{{cite web |last1=gum.cards |title=Seattle Sounders Card (1997/98) Paul Gelvezon |url=https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Seattle-Sounders-Card-1997-98-Paul-Gelvezon/192838676860?hash=item2ce614b17c:g:~pUAAOSwBG9cc9~V |website=eBay }}</ref>}}
|
|
|{{Football kit
| leftarm = ffffff | body = fff | rightarm = ffffff | shorts = 000000 | socks = ffffff 
| pattern_la = _blackborder | pattern_ra =  _blackborder | pattern_b = _sounders99a | pattern_sh = _white_T_piping | pattern_so = _hoops_black | title = USL Away<br>1999<ref>{{cite web |last1=COMC |title=1999 Seattle Sounders Team Issue Peter Hattrup #9 |url=https://www.ebay.com/itm/234179729629 |website=eBay |access-date=12 May 2022}}</ref>}}
|
|
|{{Football kit
| leftarm = E70000 | body = E70000 | rightarm = E70000 | shorts = 000000 | socks = 000000
| pattern_b = _whitesides | pattern_la = _shouldersonwhite | pattern_ra = _shouldersonwhite
| title = USL Home<br />2001<ref>{{cite web |last1=Andrews |first1=Allison |title=Timbers stuck in scoring rut, fall to Seattle 1-0 |url=http://soccercityusa.pdxcite.net/timbers/sea072101.htm |website=Timber Rattlers |access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref>}}
|{{Football kit
| leftarm = FFFFFF | body = FFFFFF | rightarm = FFFFFF | shorts = 000000 | socks = FFFFFF
| title = USL Away<br />2001<ref>{{cite web |last1=Andrews |first1=Allison |title=Sounders get late goal to beat Timbers 2-1 in 2 OT |url=http://soccercityusa.pdxcite.net/timbers/sea051201.htm |website=Timber Rattlers |access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref>}}
|
|
|{{Football kit
| leftarm = E70000 | body = E70000 | rightarm = E70000 | shorts = E70000 | socks = E70000
| pattern_b = _collarblack | pattern_la = _black,_white,_black_cuff_striping | pattern_ra = _black,_white,_black_cuff_striping
| pattern_sh = _white_black_white_piping
| title = USL Home<br />2002<ref name="2002_Seattle_Sounders_season_photos">{{cite web |last1=goalWA |title=2002 Seattle Sounders season photos |date=September 30, 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF71eEJsYCE |publisher=YouTube |access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Andrews |first1=Allison |title=Timbers shut down powerful Seattle attack with 1-0 shutout |url=http://soccercityusa.pdxcite.net/timbers/sea062302.htm |website=Timber Rattlers |access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref>}}

|{{Football kit
| leftarm = 080808 | body = 080808 | rightarm = 080808 | shorts = 080808 | socks = 080808
| pattern_b = _collar_white_outline | pattern_la = _black,_white,_black_cuff_striping | pattern_ra = _black,_white,_black_cuff_striping
| pattern_sh = _white_black_white_piping
| title = USL Away<br />2002<ref name="2002_Seattle_Sounders_season_photos" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Andrews |first1=Allison |title=Sounders shut down the Timbers, 2-0 |url=http://soccercityusa.pdxcite.net/timbers/sea050402.htm |website=Timber Rattlers |access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref>}}
|}
{|
|{{Football kit
| leftarm = ffffff | body = ffffff | rightarm = ffffff | shorts = E5E5E5 | socks = E5E5E5
| pattern_b = _sounders2003h
| title = USL Home<br />2003<ref>{{cite web |last1=Andrews |first1=Allison |title=Timbers still 0-for-Seattle |url=http://soccercityusa.pdxcite.net/timbers/sea051803.htm |website=Timber Rattlers |access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref>}}
|{{Football kit
| leftarm = 127441 | body = 127441 | rightarm = 127441 | shorts = 0B4627 | socks = 0B4627
| pattern_b = _sounders2003t
| title = USL Away<br />2003<ref>{{cite web |last1=Andrews |first1=Allison |title=Timbers control much of play, but final is same old story, 1-0 loss to the Sounders |url=http://soccercityusa.pdxcite.net/timbers/sea080903.htm |website=Timber Rattlers |access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref>}}
|
|{{Football kit
| leftarm = ffffff | body = ffffff | rightarm = ffffff | shorts = 224c96 | socks = 224c96
| pattern_so = _whitetop
| title = USL Home<br />2004&ndash;05<ref>{{cite web |last1=Andrews |first1=Allison |title=Gordon scores early, Alvarez adds second for 2-1 win over Seattle |url=http://soccercityusa.pdxcite.net/timbers/sea050104.htm |website=Timber Rattlers |access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref>}}
|{{Football kit
| leftarm = 127441 | body = 127441 | rightarm = 127441 | shorts = 127441 | socks = 127441
| pattern_so = _whitetop | pattern_b = _whitethinlines
| title = USL Away<br />2004&ndash;06<ref name="2006_Seattle_Sounders_Highlight_Reel">{{cite web |last1=GoalWA |title=2006 Seattle Sounders Highlight Reel |date=October 13, 2006 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZYzS-hBBjw|publisher=YouTube |access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref>}}

|{{Football kit
| leftarm = 224c96 | body = 224c96 | rightarm = 224c96 | shorts = 224c96 | socks = 224c96
| pattern_b = _two_thin_stripes_on_white_vertical
| title = USL Home<br />2006<ref name="2006_Seattle_Sounders_Highlight_Reel" />}}

|{{Football kit
| leftarm = ffffff | body = ffffff | rightarm = ffffff | shorts = 224c96 | socks = ffffff
| title = USL Home<br />2007&ndash;08<ref>{{cite web |last1=Seattle Sounders FC |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2hYa7Up01k |title=USL Final: Seattle Sounders defeat Atlanta Silverbacks 4-0 for USL 1 championship | date=March 31, 2017 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Andrews |first1=Allison |title=Historic night spoiled, as Timbers fall 1-0 |url=http://soccercityusa.pdxcite.net/timbers/sea080708.htm |website=The Timber Mill |access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref>}}

|{{Football kit
| leftarm = 224c96 | body = 224c96 | rightarm = 224c96 | shorts = 224c96 | socks = 224c96
| pattern_b = _whitethinlines
| title = USL Away<br />2007<ref>{{cite web |last1=Falk |first1=David |title=Video Buzz: Santa Maria Rivera's 'Improbable Life' in soccer on film |url=https://goalwa.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/video-buzz-santa-maria-riveras-improbable-life-in-soccer-on-film/ |website=GoalWA.net Archives |date=May 23, 2012 |access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref>}}

|{{Football kit
| leftarm = 224c96 | body = 224c96 | rightarm = 224c96 | shorts = 224c96 | socks = 224c96
| pattern_b = _sounders2007a | pattern_sh = _whitebottom | pattern_la = _whiteborder | pattern_ra = _whiteborder
| title = USL Away<br />2008<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mead |first1=Andy |title=03 July 2008: Seattle's Sebastien Le Toux ( |url=http://andymead.photoshelter.com/image/I00004dEBGwmTwUc |website=ANDY MEAD PHOTOGRAPHY |access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref>}}
|}

=== MLS Era (2009–) ===
{|
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la = _SOUNDERS_09h
| pattern_b  = _SOUNDERS_09h
| pattern_ra = _SOUNDERS_09h
| pattern_sh = _SOUNDERS_09h
| pattern_so = _SOUNDERS_09h
| leftarm = FFFFFF | body = FFFFFF | rightarm = FFFFFF | shorts = FFFFFF | socks = 5D9731 | title = MLS Home<br />2009–10}}
|
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la = _SOUNDERS_11h
| pattern_b  = _SOUNDERS_11h
| pattern_ra = _SOUNDERS_11h
| pattern_sh = _SOUNDERS_11h
| pattern_so = _3_stripes_blue
| leftarm = FFFFFF | body = FFFFFF | rightarm = FFFFFF | shorts = FFFFFF | socks = 5D9731 | title = MLS Home<br />2011–12}}
|
<!--
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la = _SOUNDERS_11h
| pattern_b  = _SOUNDERS_11h
| pattern_ra = _SOUNDERS_11h
| pattern_sh = _SOUNDERS_11h2
| pattern_so = _SOUNDERS_11
| leftarm = FFFFFF | body = FFFFFF | rightarm = FFFFFF | shorts = FFFFFF | socks = 1047AB | title = MLS Home<br />Alt. 2011–12}}-->
|
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la = _SOUNDERS_13h
| pattern_b  = _SOUNDERS_13h
| pattern_ra = _SOUNDERS_13h
| pattern_sh = _SOUNDERS_13h
| pattern_so =
| leftarm = FFFFFF | body = FFFFFF | rightarm = FFFFFF | shorts = FFFFFF | socks = 5D9731 | title = MLS Home<br />2013–2014}}
|
<!--
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la = _SOUNDERS_13h
| pattern_b  = _SOUNDERS_13h
| pattern_ra = _SOUNDERS_13h
| pattern_sh = _SOUNDERS_13h2
| pattern_so =
| leftarm = FFFFFF | body = FFFFFF | rightarm = FFFFFF | shorts = FFFFFF | socks = 1047AB | title = MLS Home<br />Alt. 2013–2014}}-->
|
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la = _SOUNDERS_15h
| pattern_b = _SOUNDERS_15h
| pattern_ra = _SOUNDERS_15h
| pattern_sh = _SOUNDERS_15h
| pattern_so = _SOUNDERS_15h
| leftarm = FFFFFF | body = FFFFFF | rightarm = FFFFFF| shorts = FFFFFF| socks = 5D9731 | title = MLS Home<br />2015}}
|
|{{Football kit
| pattern_b = _sounders2016h
| pattern_la = _sounders16h
| pattern_ra = _sounders16h
| pattern_sh = _green_stripes_adidas
| pattern_so = _SOUNDERS_15h
| leftarm = 005695 | body = 628B18 | rightarm = 005695 | shorts = 0060BF | socks = 74a925 | title = MLS Home<br />2016–17}}
|
|{{Football kit 
| pattern_la = _border_without_cuff_blue
| pattern_b = _sounders2018h
| pattern_ra = _border_without_cuff_blue
| pattern_sh = _green_stripes_adidas
| pattern_so = _SOUNDERS_15h
| leftarm = 678D39
| body = 678D39
| rightarm = 678D39
| shorts = 1e5b91
| socks = 678D39
| title = MLS Home<br />2018–19}}
|
|{{Football kit 
| pattern_la = _sounders20h
| pattern_b = _sounders20H
| pattern_ra = _sounders20h
| pattern_sh = 
| pattern_so = _sounders20h
| leftarm = 
| body = 
| rightarm = 
| shorts = 004eaa
| socks = 39ad04
| title = MLS Home<br />2020–21}}
|
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la = _partial_blue_cuff
| pattern_b = _sounders2022h
| pattern_ra = _partial_blue_cuff
| pattern_sh = _green_stripes_adidas
| pattern_so = _3_stripes_blue
| leftarm = 569d3d
| body =
| rightarm = 569d3d
| shorts = 0b4abf
| socks = 569d3d
| title = MLS Home<br />2022–23}}
|
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la =  _sounders2024h
| pattern_b = _sounders2024h
| pattern_ra =  _sounders2024h
| pattern_sh = _adidasshortwhite
| pattern_so = _color_3_stripes_on_white
| leftarm = 3b98e2
| body = 00bd62
| rightarm = 3b98e2
| shorts = 3b98e2
| socks = 00bd62
| title = MLS Home<br />2024&ndash;
}}
|}

{|
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la = _SOUNDERS_09a
| pattern_b  = _SOUNDERS_09a
| pattern_ra = _SOUNDERS_09a
| pattern_sh = _SOUNDERS_09a
| pattern_so = _SOUNDERS_09a
| leftarm = FFFFFF | body = FFFFFF | rightarm = FFFFFF | shorts = FFFFFF | socks = 1047AB | title = MLS Away<br />2009–10}}
|
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la = _SOUNDERS_11a
| pattern_b  = _SOUNDERS_11a
| pattern_ra = _SOUNDERS_11a
| pattern_sh = _SOUNDERS_11a
| pattern_so = _SOUNDERS_11
| leftarm = FFFFFF | body = FFFFFF | rightarm = FFFFFF | shorts = FFFFFF | socks = 111111 | title = MLS Away<br />2011–12}}
|
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la = _SOUNDERS_13a
| pattern_b  = _SOUNDERS_13a
| pattern_ra = _SOUNDERS_13a
| pattern_sh = _SOUNDERS_13a
| pattern_so =
| leftarm = FFFFFF | body = FFFFFF | rightarm = FFFFFF | shorts = FFFFFF | socks = 111111 | title = MLS Away<br />2013–2014}}
<!--
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la = _SOUNDERS_15a
| pattern_b = _SOUNDERS_15a
| pattern_ra = _SOUNDERS_15a
| pattern_sh = _SOUNDERS_15a
| pattern_so = _SOUNDERS_15h
| leftarm = FFFFFF | body = FFFFFF | rightarm = FFFFFF | shorts = FFFFFF | socks = 5D9731 | title = MLS Away<br />2015}}-->
|
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la = _SOUNDERS_15a
| pattern_b = _SOUNDERS_15a
| pattern_ra = _SOUNDERS_15a
| pattern_sh = _SOUNDERS_15a
| pattern_so = _color_3_stripes_on_white
| leftarm = FFFFFF | body = FFFFFF | rightarm = FFFFFF | shorts = FFFFFF | socks = 83C552 | title = MLS Away<br />2015&ndash;16}}
|
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la = _borderonwhite
| pattern_b = _collar_shoulder_stripes_on_white
| pattern_ra = _borderonwhite
| pattern_sh = _adidasonwhite
| pattern_so = _color_3_stripes_on_white
| leftarm = 00b3d3 | body = 00b3d3 | rightarm = 00b3d3 | shorts = 00b3d3 | socks = 00b3d3 | title = MLS Away<br />2017–18}}
|
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la = _borderonblack
| pattern_b = _sounders2019a
| pattern_ra = _borderonblack
| pattern_sh = _adidasshortonblack
| pattern_so = _color_3_stripes_on_black
| leftarm = ee6ca7
| body = ee6ca7
| rightarm = ee6ca7
| shorts = ee6ca7
| socks = ee6ca7
| title = MLS Away<br />2019–20}}
|
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la = _sounders2021a
| pattern_b  = _sounders2021a
| pattern_ra = _sounders2021a
| pattern_sh = _orange_stripes
| pattern_so = _3_orange stripes
| leftarm    = 101b3d
| body       = 101b3d
| rightarm   = 101b3d
| shorts     = 101b3d
| socks      = 101b3d
| title = MLS Away<br />2021–22}}
|
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la= _sounders2023a
| pattern_b = _sounders2023a
| pattern_ra = _sounders2023a
| pattern_sh = _adidasshortonblack
| pattern_so = _3_stripes_on_black
| leftarm = 792529
| body = 792529
| rightarm = 792529
| shorts = ece748
| socks = ece748
| title = MLS Away<br />2023–}}
|}

{|
|
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la = _SOUNDERS_10t
| pattern_b  = _SOUNDERS_10t
| pattern_ra = _SOUNDERS_10t
| pattern_sh = _SOUNDERS_10t
| leftarm = FFFFFF | body = FFFFFF | rightarm = FFFFFF | shorts = FFFFFF | socks = E4ED37 | title = MLS Third<br />2010–11}}
|
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la = _SOUNDERS_12t
| pattern_b  = _SOUNDERS_12t
| pattern_ra = _SOUNDERS_12t
| pattern_sh = _SOUNDERS_12t
| pattern_so = _3_stripes_neonyellow
| leftarm = FFFFFF | body = FFFFFF | rightarm = FFFFFF | shorts = FFFFFF | socks = 00A2E8 | title = MLS Third<br />2012–13}}
|
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la = _SOUNDERS_14t
| pattern_b  = _SOUNDERS_14t
| pattern_ra = _SOUNDERS_14t
| pattern_sh = _SOUNDERS_14t
| pattern_so = _SOUNDERS_14t
| leftarm = FFFFFF | body = FFFFFF | rightarm = FFFFFF | shorts = FFFFFF | socks = FFFFFF | title = MLS Third<br />2014–15}}
|
|{{Football kit
| pattern_la = _sounders2016t
| pattern_b = _sounders2016t
| pattern_ra = _sounders_2016t
| pattern_sh = _navy_stripes_adidas
| pattern_so = _sounders2016t
| leftarm = 021f3e | body = 021f3e | rightarm = 021f3e | shorts = 00b3d3 | socks = 021f3e
| title = MLS Third<br />2016–17}}
|
|}

=== Sponsorship ===

{{Excerpt|Seattle Sounders FC|Sponsorship|only=paragraph|paragraph=0|this=Part of this table is}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
! style="background:#266093; color:#FFFFFF;" scope="col"|League
! style="background:#266093; color:#FFFFFF;" scope="col"|Div
! style="background:#266093; color:#FFFFFF;" scope="col"|Period
! style="background:#266093; color:#FFFFFF;" scope="col"|Kit manufacturer
! style="background:#266093; color:#FFFFFF;" scope="col"|Primary kit sponsor
! style="background:#266093; color:#FFFFFF;" scope="col"|Secondary kit sponsor
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|NASL]]
|rowspan="4"|1
| 1974–1975
|rowspan="1"|''In-house''
|rowspan="4" colspan="2" style="background:#ececec; color:gray| —
|-
| 1976–1977
|rowspan="1"|[[Adidas]]
|-
| 1978–1980
|rowspan="1"|[[Admiral Sportswear|Admiral]]
|-
| 1981–1983
|rowspan="1"|[[Adidas]]
|-
|rowspan="1"|[[American Professional Soccer League|APSL]]
|rowspan="9"|2
| 1994
|rowspan="9"|[[Nike, Inc.|Nike]]
|rowspan="1"|[[Microsoft]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Microsoft]]
|-
|rowspan="6"|[[A-League (1995–2004)|A-League]]
| 1995&ndash;1996
|rowspan="1"|[[Nike, Inc.|Nike]]
|-
| 1997&ndash;1998
| [[United Airlines]]
| rowspan="1" style="background:#ececec; color:gray"| —
|-
| 1999
|colspan="2" style="background:#ececec; color:gray"| —
|-
| 2000–2001
| [[AT&T]]
| Go2Net
|-
| 2002
| [[Cartoys|CarToys]]
|rowspan="3"|[[Sound Transit]]
|-
| 2003
|rowspan="2"|Go-Today.com
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[United Soccer League|USL-1]]
| 2004&ndash;2006
|-
| 2007&ndash;2008
| U.S. Home Mortgage
| [[Sound Transit]]
|-
|rowspan="0"|[[Major League Soccer|MLS]]
|rowspan="0"|1
{{#invoke:Transcluder|main|Seattle Sounders FC#sponsorship_table_no_headers}}
|}

== Sounders season results ==
{{Main|List of Seattle Sounders FC seasons}}

The list covers all three incarnations of the club from 1974 (when the [[Seattle Sounders (1974-83)|NASL Sounders]] began play) to the present day. After the original Sounders went defunct in 1983, a new [[phoenix club (sports)|phoenix club]] began play in 1994 and eventually joined the MLS as an expansion franchise for the [[2009 Major League Soccer season|2009 MLS season]]. This list details the club's achievements in senior league and cup competitions, the top scorers and the average attendance for each season. Totals are inclusive of all three iterations of the club.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fbref.com/en/squads/6218ebd4/history/Seattle-Sounders-FC-Stats-and-History|title = Seattle Sounders FC Stats and History}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fbref.com/en/squads/de11a638/history/Seattle-Sounders-Stats-and-History|title = Seattle Sounders Stats and History}}</ref> An MLS-specific list of seasons completed can be found at [[List of Seattle Sounders FC seasons]].

===Key===
;Key to competitions

{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
* [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS) – The [[United States soccer league system|top-flight]] of [[soccer in the United States]], established in 1996.
* [[United Soccer League|USL First Division]] (USL-1) – The [[United States soccer league system|second division]] of [[soccer in the United States]] from 2005 through 2009.
* [[A-League (1995–2004)|A-League]] – The [[United States soccer league system|second division]] of [[soccer in the United States]] from 1995 through 2004, now defunct.
* [[American Professional Soccer League]] (APSL) – The [[United States soccer league system|second division]] of [[soccer in the United States]] from 1990 through 1996, now defunct.
* [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League]] (NASL) – The [[United States soccer league system|top-flight]] of [[soccer in the United States]] from 1968 through 1984, now defunct.
* [[U.S. Open Cup]] (USOC) – The premier [[Single-elimination tournament|knockout]] cup competition in US soccer, first contested in 1914.
* [[CONCACAF Champions League]] (CCL) – The premier competition in [[CONCACAF|North American soccer]] since 1962. It went by the name of Champions' Cup until 2008.
{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
;Key to colors and symbols:
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|style=background:gold| 1st <small>or</small> W ||Winners
|-
|style=background:silver| 2nd <small>or</small> RU ||Runners-up
|-
|style=background:#CFAA88| 3rd
|| Third place
|-
|style=background:#FFCCCC| Last || Last place
|-
|style=background:#FAECC8;"| ♦ ||League top scorer
|-
|style="background:#dfd;" | &nbsp; || Highest average attendance
|-
|''Italics'' || Ongoing competition
|}
{{col-3}}
;Key to league record
* Season = The year and article of the season
* Div = Division/level on [[United States soccer league system|pyramid]]
* League = League name
* Pld = Games played
* W = Games won
* L = Games lost
* D = Games drawn
* GF = Goals for
* GA = Goals against
* GD = Goal difference
* Pts = Points
* PPG = Points per game
* Conf. = Conference position
* Overall = League position
{{col-3}}
;Key to cup record
* DNE = Did not enter
* DNQ = Did not qualify
* NH = Competition not held or canceled
* QR = Qualifying round
* PR = Preliminary round
* GS = Group stage
* R1 = First round
* R2 = Second round
* R3 = Third round
* R4 = Fourth round
* R5 = Fifth round
* Ro16 = Round of 16
* QF = Quarter-finals
* SF = Semi-finals
* F = Final
* RU = Runners-up
* W = Winners
{{col-end}}

===Outdoor seasons===
{| class="wikitable" width=100% style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#f0f6ff;"
!rowspan=2|Season
!colspan=11|League
!colspan=2|Position
!rowspan=2|Playoffs
!rowspan=2|[[U.S. Open Cup|USOC]]
!rowspan=2 colspan=2|[[CONCACAF|Continental]] / Other
!rowspan=2|[[Major League Soccer attendance|Average <br /> attendance]]
!colspan=2|Top goalscorer(s)
|-
!Div
!League
!Pld
!W
!L
!D
!GF
!GA
!GD
!Pts
!PPG
!Conf.
!Overall
!Name(s)
!Goals
|-
|'''[[1974 Seattle Sounders season|1974]]'''
| rowspan=10 | 1
| [[1974 North American Soccer League season|NASL]]
| 20
| 10
| 7
| 3
| 37
| 17
| +20
| 33
| 1.65
| bgcolor=CFAA88 | 3rd
| 5th
| DNQ
| rowspan=10 | DNE
| colspan=2 rowspan=10 | DNE
| 13,434
|align="left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[John Rowlands (footballer)|John Rowlands]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1974.html|title=The Year in American Soccer - 1974|website=homepages.sover.net|access-date=January 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105121101/http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1974.html|archive-date=November 5, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 10
|-
|'''[[1975 Seattle Sounders season|1975]]'''
| [[1975 North American Soccer League season|NASL]]
| 22
| 15
| 7
| 0
| 42
| 28
| +14
| 45
| 2.05
| bgcolor=silver | 2nd
| bgcolor=CFAA88 | 3rd
| [[1975 North American Soccer League season#Playoffs|QF]]
| 16,818
|align="left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[John Rowlands (footballer)|John Rowlands]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1975.html |title=The Year in American Soccer, 1975 |author=Steve Holroyd |date=January 31, 2010 |publisher=American Soccer Archives |access-date=January 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105121106/http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1975.html |archive-date=November 5, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| 9
|-
|'''[[1976 Seattle Sounders season|1976]]'''
| [[1976 North American Soccer League season|NASL]]
| 24
| 14
| 10
| 0
| 40
| 31
| +9
| 42
| 1.75
| bgcolor=CFAA88 | 3rd
| 8th
| [[1976 North American Soccer League season#Playoffs|QF]]
| 23,828
|align="left" | {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Gordon Wallace (soccer)|Gordon Wallace]]
| 13
|-
|'''[[1977 Seattle Sounders season|1977]]'''
| [[1977 North American Soccer League season|NASL]]
| 26
| 14
| 12
| 0
| 43
| 34
| +9
| 42
| 1.62
| 5th
| 8th
| bgcolor=silver | [[1977 North American Soccer League playoffs|RU]]
| 24,226
|align="left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Micky Cave]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1977.html|title=The Year in American Soccer - 1977|website=homepages.sover.net|access-date=January 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130713134953/http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1977.html|archive-date=July 13, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 12
|-
|'''[[1978 Seattle Sounders season|1978]]'''
| [[1978 North American Soccer League season|NASL]]
| 30
| 15
| 15
| 0
| 50
| 45
| +5
| 45
| 1.50
| 7th
| 12th
| [[1978 North American Soccer League playoffs|R1]]
| 22,572
|align="left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Micky Cave]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1978.html|title=The Year in American Soccer - 1978|website=homepages.sover.net|access-date=January 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217025808/http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1978.html|archive-date=February 17, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 13
|-
|'''[[1979 Seattle Sounders season|1979]]'''
| [[1979 North American Soccer League season|NASL]]
| 30
| 13
| 17
| 0
| 58
| 52
| +6
| 39
| 1.30
| 10th
| 17th
| DNQ
| 18,998
|align="left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[John Ryan (footballer, born 1947)|John Ryan]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1979.html|title=The Year in American Soccer - 1979|website=homepages.sover.net|access-date=January 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510021010/http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1979.html|archive-date=May 10, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 12
|-
|'''[[1980 Seattle Sounders season|1980]]'''
| [[1980 North American Soccer League season|NASL]]
| 32
| 25
| 7
| 0
| 74
| 31
| +43
| 75
| 2.34
| bgcolor=silver | 2nd
| bgcolor=silver | 2nd
| [[1980 North American Soccer League season#Playoffs|QF]]
| 24,246
|align="left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Roger Davies (footballer)|Roger Davies]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1980.html|title=The Year in American Soccer - 1980|website=homepages.sover.net|access-date=January 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105121122/http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1980.html|archive-date=November 5, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 25
|-
|'''[[1981 Seattle Sounders season|1981]]'''
| [[1981 North American Soccer League season|NASL]]
| 32
| 15
| 17
| 0
| 60
| 62
| −2
| 45
| 1.41
| 4th
| 15th
| [[1981 North American Soccer League season#Playoffs|R1]]
| 18,224
|align="left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Kevin Bond (English footballer)|Kevin Bond]]
| 16
|-
|'''[[1982 Seattle Sounders season|1982]]'''
| [[1982 North American Soccer League season|NASL]]
| 32
| 18
| 14
| 0
| 72
| 48
| +24
| 54
| 1.69
| bgcolor=gold | 1st
| bgcolor=silver | 2nd
| bgcolor=silver | [[1982 North American Soccer League season#Playoffs|RU]]
| 12,359
|align="left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Ward (footballer, born 1955)|Peter Ward]]
| 18
|-
|'''[[1983 Seattle Sounders season|1983]]'''
| [[1983 North American Soccer League season|NASL]]
| 30
| 12
| 18
| 0
| 62
| 61
| +1
| 36
| 1.20
| bgcolor=CFAA88 | 3rd
| 9th
|DNQ
| 8,181
|align="left" | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Mark Peterson (soccer player)|Mark Peterson]]<hr>{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Ward (footballer, born 1955)|Peter Ward]]
| 13
|-
|'''1984–93'''
|colspan=20 align=center|'''''No club existed'''''
|-
|'''[[1994 Seattle Sounders season|1994]]'''
| rowspan=15 | 2
| [[1994 American Professional Soccer League|APSL]]
| 20
| 14
| 6
| 0
| 38
| 16
| +22
| 42
| 2.10
| rowspan=3 | N/A
| bgcolor=gold | 1st
| [[1994 American Professional Soccer League#Playoffs|SF]]
| DNE
| colspan=2 rowspan=2 | DNE
| 6,347
|align="left" | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jason Dunn (soccer)|Jason Dunn]]
| 12
|-
|'''[[1995 Seattle Sounders season|1995]]'''
| [[1995 A-League|A-League]]
| 24
| 18
| 6
| 0
| 40
| 24
| +16
| 54
| 2.25
| bgcolor=silver | 2nd
| bgcolor=gold | [[1995 A-League#Playoffs|W]]
| [[1995 U.S. Open Cup|SF]]
| 4,571
|align="left" | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Chance Fry]]<hr>{{flagicon|USA}} [[Peter Hattrup]]
|style=background:#FAECC8;"| 11♦
|-
|'''[[1996 Seattle Sounders season|1996]]'''
| [[1996 A-League|A-League]]
| 27
| 16
| 11
| 0
| 35
| 25
| +10
| 48
| 1.78
| bgcolor=CFAA88 | 3rd
| bgcolor=gold | [[1996 A-League#Playoffs|W]]
| [[1996 U.S. Open Cup|QF]]
| [[CONCACAF Champions' Cup]]
| [[1996 CONCACAF Champions' Cup|4th]]
| 3,750
|align="left" | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jason Farrell]]
| 7
|-
|'''[[1997 Seattle Sounders season|1997]]'''
| [[1997 USISL A-League|A-League]]
| 28
| 18
| 10
| 0
| 42
| 19
| +23
| 54
| 1.93
|bgcolor=silver | 2nd
| 5th
| [[1997 USISL A-League#Division Finals|QF]]
| [[1997 U.S. Open Cup|R2]]
| colspan=2 rowspan=12 | DNE
| 2,873
|align="left" | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Mike Gailey]]
| 11
|-
|'''[[1998 Seattle Sounders season|1998]]'''
| [[1998 USISL A-League|A-League]]
| 28
| 18
| 10
| 0
| 63
| 28
| +35
| 54
| 1.93
| bgcolor=silver | 2nd
| 6th
| [[1998 USISL A-League#Conference semifinals|QF]]
| DNQ
| 2,902
|align="left" | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Mark Baena]]
|style=background:#FAECC8;"| 24♦
|-
|'''[[1999 Seattle Sounders season|1999]]'''
| [[1999 USL A-League|A-League]]
| 28
| 19
| 9
| 0
| 56
| 36
| +20
| 57
| 2.04
| 4th
| 6th
| [[1999 USL A-League#Conference semifinals|QF]]
| [[1999 U.S. Open Cup|Ro16]]
| 2,243
|align="left" | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Mark Baena]]
|style=background:#FAECC8;"| 21♦
|-
|'''[[2000 Seattle Sounders season|2000]]'''
| [[2000 USL A-League|A-League]]
| 28
| 18
| 7
| 3
| 56
| 38
| +18
| 57
| 2.04
| bgcolor=CFAA88 | 3rd
| 4th
| [[2000 USL A-League#Conference semifinals|QF]]
| [[2000 U.S. Open Cup|R2]]
| 2,143
|align="left" | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Greg Howes]]
|style=background:#FAECC8;"| 18♦
|-
|'''[[2001 Seattle Sounders season|2001]]'''
| [[2001 USL A-League|A-League]]
| 26
| 13
| 12
| 1
| 40
| 39
| +1
| 40
| 1.54
| 5th
| 11th
| DNQ
| [[2001 U.S. Open Cup|R2]]
| 1,885
|align="left" | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Leighton O'Brien]]
| 11
|-
|'''[[2002 Seattle Sounders season|2002]]'''
| [[2002 USL A-League|A-League]]
| 28
| 23
| 4
| 1
| 71
| 27
| +44
| 70
| 2.50
| bgcolor=gold | 1st
| bgcolor=gold | 1st
| [[2002 USL A-League#Playoff bracket|QF]]
| [[2002 U.S. Open Cup|Ro16]]
| 4,087
|align="left" | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Brian Ching]]
| 17
|-
|'''[[2003 Seattle Sounders season|2003]]'''
| [[2003 USL A-League|A-League]]
| 28
| 16
| 7
| 5
| 45
| 24
| +21
| 53
| 1.89
| bgcolor=silver | 2nd
| bgcolor=CFAA88 | 3rd
| [[2003 USL A-League#Conference finals|SF]]
| [[2003 U.S. Open Cup|QF]]
| 3,357
|align="left" | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Kyle Smith (soccer, born 1973)|Kyle Smith]]
| 8
|-
|'''[[2004 Seattle Sounders season|2004]]'''
| [[2004 USL A-League|A-League]]
| 28
| 13
| 11
| 4
| 40
| 34
| +6
| 43
| 1.54
| 4th
| 9th
| bgcolor=silver | [[2004 USL A-League#Playoffs|RU]]
| [[2004 U.S. Open Cup|QR1]]
| 2,874
|align="left" | {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Welton Melo]]
| 7
|-
|'''[[2005 Seattle Sounders season|2005]]'''
| [[2005 United Soccer Leagues#First Division|USL-1]]
| 28
| 11
| 6
| 11
| 33
| 25
| +8
| 44
| 1.57
| rowspan=4 | N/A
| 4th
| bgcolor=gold | [[2005 United Soccer Leagues#First Division|W]]
| [[2005 U.S. Open Cup|R3]]
| 2,885
|align="left" | {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Welton Melo]]
| 5
|-
|'''[[2006 Seattle Sounders season|2006]]'''
| [[2006 United Soccer Leagues#First Division|USL-1]]
| 28
| 11
| 13
| 4
| 42
| 48
| –6
| 37
| 1.32
| 7th
| DNQ
| [[2006 U.S. Open Cup|R3]]
| 3,693
|align="left" | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Cam Weaver]]
|style=background:#FAECC8;"| 19♦
|-
|'''[[2007 Seattle Sounders season|2007]]'''
| [[2007 United Soccer Leagues#First Division|USL-1]]
| 28
| 16
| 6
| 6
| 37
| 23
| +14
| 54
| 1.93
| bgcolor=gold | 1st
| bgcolor=gold | [[2007 United Soccer Leagues#First Division|W]]
| [[2007 U.S. Open Cup|SF]]
| 3,396
|align="left" | {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Sébastien Le Toux]]
| 15
|-
|'''[[2008 Seattle Sounders season|2008]]'''
| [[2008 United Soccer Leagues#First Division|USL-1]]
| 30
| 10
| 10
| 10
| 37
| 36
| +1
| 40
| 1.33
| 6th
| [[2008 United Soccer Leagues#First Division|QF]]
| [[2008 U.S. Open Cup|SF]]
| 3,386
|align="left" | {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Sébastien Le Toux]]
| 19
|-
|'''[[2009 Seattle Sounders FC season|2009]]'''
| rowspan=14 | 1
| [[2009 Major League Soccer season|MLS]]
| 30
| 12
| 7
| 11
| 38
| 29
| +9
| 47
| 1.57
| bgcolor=CFAA88| 3rd
| 4th
| [[2009 MLS Cup Playoffs|QF]]
| bgcolor=gold | [[2009 U.S. Open Cup Final|W]]
| colspan=2 | DNQ
| 30,943
|align="left"| {{flagicon|COL}} [[Fredy Montero]]
| 13
|-
| '''[[2010 Seattle Sounders FC season|2010]]'''
| [[2010 Major League Soccer season|MLS]]
| 30
| 14
| 10
| 6
| 39
| 35
| +4
| 48
| 1.60
| 4th
| 6th
| [[2010 MLS Cup Playoffs|QF]]
| bgcolor=gold | [[2010 U.S. Open Cup Final|W]]
| [[CONCACAF Champions League]]
| [[2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League|GS]]
| 36,173
|align="left"| {{flagicon|COL}} [[Fredy Montero]]
| 12
|-
| '''[[2011 Seattle Sounders FC season|2011]]'''
| [[2011 Major League Soccer season|MLS]]
| 34
| 18
| 7
| 9
| 56
| 37
| +19
| 63
| 1.85
| bgcolor=silver | 2nd
| bgcolor=silver | 2nd
| [[2011 MLS Cup Playoffs|QF]]
| bgcolor=gold | [[2011 U.S. Open Cup Final|W]]
| [[CONCACAF Champions League]]
| [[2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League championship round#Quarterfinals|QF]]
| 38,496
|align="left"| {{flagicon|COL}} [[Fredy Montero]]
| 18
|-
| '''[[2012 Seattle Sounders FC season|2012]]'''
| [[2012 Major League Soccer season|MLS]]
| 34
| 15
| 8
| 11
| 51
| 33
| +18
| 56
| 1.65
| bgcolor=CFAA88|3rd
| 7th
| [[2012 MLS Cup Playoffs|SF]]
| bgcolor=silver | [[2012 U.S. Open Cup Final|RU]]
| [[CONCACAF Champions League]]
| [[2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League#Semifinals|SF]]
| 43,144
|align="left"| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Eddie Johnson (American soccer)|Eddie Johnson]]<hr>{{flagicon|COL}} [[Fredy Montero]]
| 17
|-
| '''[[2013 Seattle Sounders FC season|2013]]'''
| [[2013 Major League Soccer season|MLS]]
| 34
| 15
| 12
| 7
| 42
| 42
| 0
| 52
| 1.53
| 4th
| 6th
| [[2013 MLS Cup Playoffs|QF]]
| [[2013 U.S. Open Cup#Third round|R3]]
| colspan=2 rowspan=2| DNQ
| 44,038
|align="left"| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Eddie Johnson (American soccer)|Eddie Johnson]]
| 12
|-
| '''[[2014 Seattle Sounders FC season|2014]]'''
| [[2014 Major League Soccer season|MLS]]
| 34
| 20
| 10
| 4
| 65
| 50
| +15
| 64
| 1.88
| bgcolor=gold |1st
| bgcolor=gold |1st
| [[2014 MLS Cup Playoffs|SF]]
| bgcolor=gold | [[2014 U.S. Open Cup Final|W]]
| 43,734
|align="left"| {{flagicon|NGA}} [[Obafemi Martins]]
| 19
|-
| '''[[2015 Seattle Sounders FC season|2015]]'''
| [[2015 Major League Soccer season|MLS]]
| 34
| 15
| 13
| 6
| 44
| 36
| +8
| 51
| 1.50
| 4th
| 6th
| [[2015 MLS Cup Playoffs|QF]]
| [[2015 U.S. Open Cup#Fourth round|R4]] 
| [[CONCACAF Champions League]]
| [[2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League|QF]]
| style="background:#dfd;" | 44,245
|align="left"| {{flagicon|NGA}} [[Obafemi Martins]]
| 15
|-<section begin="partial_mls_era_records" />
| '''[[2016 Seattle Sounders FC season|2016]]'''
| [[2016 Major League Soccer season|MLS]]
| 34
| 14
| 14
| 6
| 44
| 43
| +1
| 48
| 1.41
| 4th
| 7th
| bgcolor=gold | [[MLS Cup 2016|W]]
| [[2016 U.S. Open Cup#Quarterfinals|QF]] 
| colspan=2 rowspan=2 | DNQ
|42,636
|align="left"| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jordan Morris]]
| 12
|-
| '''[[2017 Seattle Sounders FC season|2017]]'''
| [[2017 Major League Soccer season|MLS]]
| 34
| 14
| 9
| 11
| 52
| 39
| +13
| 53
| 1.56
| bgcolor=silver | 2nd
| 7th
| bgcolor=silver | [[MLS Cup 2017|RU]]
| [[2017 U.S. Open Cup#Round of 16|Ro16]] 
| 43,666
|align="left"| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Clint Dempsey]]
| 12
|-
| '''[[2018 Seattle Sounders FC season|2018]]'''
| [[2018 Major League Soccer season|MLS]]
| 34
| 18
| 11
| 5
| 52
| 37
| +15
| 59
| 1.74
| bgcolor=silver | 2nd
| 4th
| [[2018 MLS Cup Playoffs|QF]]
| [[2018 U.S. Open Cup#Fourth round|R4]] 
| [[CONCACAF Champions League]]
| [[2018 CONCACAF Champions League|QF]]
| 40,641
|align="left"| {{flagicon|PER|football}} [[Raúl Ruidíaz]]
| 13
|-
| '''[[2019 Seattle Sounders FC season|2019]]'''
| [[2019 Major League Soccer season|MLS]]
| 34
| 16
| 10
| 8
| 52
| 49
| +3
| 56
| 1.64
| bgcolor=silver | 2nd
| 4th
| bgcolor=gold | [[MLS Cup 2019|W]]
| [[2019 U.S. Open Cup#Fourth round|R4]] 
| colspan=2 | DNQ
| 40,247
|align="left"| {{flagicon|PER|football}} [[Raúl Ruidíaz]]
| 15
|-
| '''[[2020 Seattle Sounders FC season|2020]]'''
| [[2020 Major League Soccer season|MLS]]
| 22
| 11
| 5
| 6
| 44
| 23
| +21
| 39
| 1.77
| bgcolor=silver | 2nd
| 6th
| bgcolor=silver| [[MLS Cup 2020|RU]]
| [[2020 U.S. Open Cup|NH]]
| [[CONCACAF Champions League]] <hr/> [[Campeones Cup]] <hr/>[[MLS is Back Tournament]]
| [[2020 CONCACAF Champions League|Ro16]] <hr/> [[2020 Campeones Cup|NH]] <hr/>[[MLS is Back Tournament|Ro16]]
| 36,603{{ref|c}}
|align="left"| {{flagicon|PER|football}} [[Raúl Ruidíaz]]
| 14
|-
| '''[[2021 Seattle Sounders FC season|2021]]'''
| [[2021 Major League Soccer season|MLS]]
| 34
| 17
| 8
| 9
| 53
| 33
| +20
| 60
| 1.76
| bgcolor=silver | 2nd
| bgcolor=CFAA88|3rd
| [[2021 MLS Cup Playoffs|R1]]
| [[2021 U.S. Open Cup|NH]]
| [[Leagues Cup]]
| bgcolor=silver | [[2021 Leagues Cup|RU]]
| 22,150
|align="left"| {{flagicon|PER|football}} [[Raúl Ruidíaz]]
| 19
|-
| '''[[2022 Seattle Sounders FC season|2022]]'''
| [[2022 Major League Soccer season|MLS]]
| 34
| 12
| 17
| 5
| 47
| 46
| +1
| 41
| 1.21
| 11th
| 21st
| DNQ
| [[2022 U.S. Open Cup#Round of 32|R2]] 
| [[CONCACAF Champions League]]
| bgcolor=gold | [[2022 CONCACAF Champions League Final|W]]
| 33,607
|align="left"| {{flagicon|PER|football}} [[Raúl Ruidíaz]]<hr>{{flagicon|URU}} [[Nicolás Lodeiro]]
| 12
|-
| '''Total'''
| –
| –
| '''1073''' <!-- As of the end of the 2020 season -->
| '''567''' <!-- As of the end of the 2020 season -->
| '''368''' <!-- As of the end of the 2020 season -->
| '''138''' <!-- As of the end of the 2020 season -->
| '''1792''' <!-- As of the end of the 2020 season -->
| '''1304''' <!-- As of the end of the 2020 season -->
| '''+488''' <!-- As of the end of the 2020 season -->
| '''1839''' <!-- As of the end of the 2020 season -->
| '''1.71''' <!-- As of the end of the 2020 season -->
| –
| –
| –
| –
| colspan="2" | –
| –
|align="left"| {{flagicon|PER}} '''[[Raúl Ruidíaz]]'''
| '''68'''
|}
<small>{{note|1}}1. '''Avg. attendance''' include statistics from league matches only.</small><br />
<small>{{note|2}}2. '''Top goalscorer(s)''' includes all goals scored in League, Playoffs, [[U.S. Open Cup]], [[MLS is Back Tournament]], [[CONCACAF Champions League]], [[FIFA Club World Cup]], and other competitive continental matches.</small><br />
<small>{{note|3}}3. '''Points''' and '''PPG''' have been adjusted from non-traditional to traditional scoring systems for seasons prior to 2003 to more effectively compare historical team performance across seasons.</small>

=== Indoor seasons ===
{| class="wikitable" width=100% style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#f0f6ff;"
!rowspan=2|Season
!colspan=7|League
!colspan=2|Position
!rowspan=2|Playoffs
!rowspan=2|Average <br /> attendance

|-
!League
!Pld
!W
!L
!GF
!GA
!GD
!Conf.
!Overall
|-
|'''[[1975 NASL Indoor tournament|1975]]'''
| [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|NASL]]
| 2
| 0
| 2
| 8
| 23
| –15
|style=background:#FFCCCC | 4th
|style=background:#FFCCCC | 16th
| rowspan=2 | DNQ
| N/A
|-
|'''[[1980–81 NASL Indoor season|1980–81]]'''
| [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|NASL]]
| 18
| 9
| 9
| 106
| 98
| +8
|style=background:#FFCCCC | 4th
| 11th
| 6,751
|-
|'''[[1981–82 NASL Indoor season|1981–82]]'''
| [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|NASL]]
| 18
| 9
| 9
| 95
| 97
| –2
| 4th
| 7th
| [[1981–82 NASL Indoor season#Playoffs|QF]]
| 6,137
|-
| '''Total'''
| –
| '''38'''
| '''18'''
| '''20'''
| '''209'''
| '''218'''
| '''–9'''
| –
| –
| –
| –
|}

== Personnel ==

=== Head coaches ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Name
! Nat.
! Years
! Record (W–L–T)
|-
| [[John Best (soccer)|John Best]] || {{flagicon|ENG}} || 1974–1976 || (39–24–3)
|-
| [[Jimmy Gabriel]] || {{flagicon|SCO}} || 1977–1979 || (42–44–0)
|-
| [[Alan Hinton]] || {{flagicon|ENG}} || 1980–1982 || (76–56–0)
|-
| [[Laurie Calloway]] || {{flagicon|ENG}} || 1983 || (12–18–0)
|-
| Alan Hinton || {{flagicon|ENG}} || 1994–1995 || (34–10–0)
|-
| [[Neil Megson (soccer)|Neil Megson]] || {{flagicon|USA}} || 1996–2000 || (84–44–3)
|-
| [[Bernie James]] || {{flagicon|USA}} || 2001 || (13–12–1)
|-
| [[Brian Schmetzer]] || {{flagicon|USA}} || 2002–2008 || (103–50–45)
|-
| [[Sigi Schmid]] || {{flagicon|GER}} || 2009–2016 || (115–79–56)
|-
| [[Brian Schmetzer]] || {{flagicon|USA}} || 2016– || (59–36–26)
|}

=== Players ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Name
! Nat.
! Years
|-
| [[John Rowland (Welsh footballer)|John Rowlands]] || {{flagicon|WAL}} || 1974–1976
|-
| [[Micky Cave]] || {{flagicon|ENG}} || 1977–1980
|-
| [[Bob Donaldson (soccer)|Bob Donaldson]] || {{flagicon|SCO}} || 1979–1983
|-
| [[Kevin Bond (English footballer)|Kevin Bond]] || {{flagicon|ENG}} || 1981
|-
| [[Peter Hattrup]] ¤ || {{flagicon|USA}} || 1984–1989, 1994–1995, 1997–1999, 2001
|-
| [[Marcus Hahnemann]] ¤ || {{flagicon|USA}} || 1994–1996, 2012–2014
|-
| [[Brian Ching]] || {{flagicon|USA}} || 2001–2002
|-
| [[Leighton O'Brien]] || {{flagicon|USA}} || 2001–2008
|-
| [[Zach Scott]] ¤ || {{flagicon|USA}} || 2002–
|-
| [[Roger Levesque]] ¤ || {{flagicon|USA}} || 2003–2012
|-
| [[Wélton Araújo Melo|Wélton]] || {{flagicon|BRA}} || 2004–2005
|-
| [[Taylor Graham]] ¤ || {{flagicon|USA}} || 2005, 2007–2011
|-
| [[Sébastien Le Toux]] ¤ || {{flagicon|FRA}} || 2007–2009
|-
| [[Kasey Keller]] || {{flagicon|USA}} || 2009–2011
|-
| [[Fredy Montero]] || {{flagicon|COL}} || 2009–2012
|-
| [[Steve Zakuani]] || {{flagicon|COD}} || 2009–2013
|-
| [[Freddie Ljungberg]] || {{flagicon|SWE}} || 2009–2010
|-
| [[Blaise Nkufo]] || {{flagicon|SUI}} || 2010–2011
|}

¤ Played for two distinct Sounders franchises

== Sounders all-time honors ==

=== International ===
'''[[CONCACAF Champions League|CONCACAF Champions' Cup / CONCACAF Champions League]]'''
* '''Winners (1):''' [[2022 CONCACAF Champions League|2022]]
* '''4th place (1):''' [[1996 CONCACAF Champions' Cup|1996]]
* '''Semi-finalists (1):''' [[2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League|2012–13]]
* '''Quarter-finalists (3):''' [[2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League|2011–12]], [[2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League|2015–16]], [[2018 CONCACAF Champions League|2018]]

'''[[Leagues Cup]]'''
* '''Runners-up (1):''' [[2021 Leagues Cup|2021]]

=== Domestic ===
'''[[U.S. Open Cup]]'''
* '''Winners (4):''' [[2009 U.S. Open Cup Final|2009]], [[2010 U.S. Open Cup Final|2010]], [[2011 U.S. Open Cup Final|2011]], [[2014 U.S. Open Cup Final|2014]]
* '''Runners-up (1):''' [[2012 U.S. Open Cup Final|2012]]

=== League ===

==== MLS ====
'''[[MLS Cup Playoffs]]'''
* '''Winners (2):''' [[MLS Cup 2016|2016]], [[MLS Cup 2019|2019]]
*'''Conference Champions (4):''' [[2016 MLS Cup Playoffs#MLS Cup|2016]], [[2017 MLS Cup Playoffs#MLS Cup|2017]], [[2019 MLS Cup Playoffs#MLS Cup 2019|2019]], [[2020 MLS Cup Playoffs#MLS Cup|2020]]
* '''Conference Finalists (2):''' [[2012 MLS Cup Playoffs#Conference Championships|2012]], [[2014 MLS Cup Playoffs#Conference Championships|2014]]
* '''Conference Semifinalists (6):''' [[2009 MLS Cup Playoffs#Western Conference|2009]], [[2010 MLS Cup Playoffs#Conference Semifinals|2010]], [[2011 MLS Cup Playoffs#Conference semifinals|2011]], [[2013 MLS Cup Playoffs#Conference Semifinals|2013]], [[2015 MLS Cup Playoffs#Conference Semifinals|2015]], [[2018 MLS Cup Playoffs#Conference semifinals|2018]]
'''[[Supporters' Shield]]'''
* '''Winners (1):''' [[2014 Major League Soccer season|2014]]
* '''Runners-up (1):''' [[2011 Major League Soccer season|2011]]

==== NASL ====
'''[[Soccer Bowl]]'''
* '''Runners-up (2):''' [[1977 North American Soccer League season|1977]], [[1982 North American Soccer League season|1982]]

'''[[Trans-Atlantic Challenge Cup]]'''

* '''Winners (1):''' 1981

==== USL ====
'''[[USL First Division|USL First Division Playoffs]]'''
* '''Winners (4):''' 1995, 1996, 2005, 2007
* '''Runners-up (1):''' 2004

'''[[USL First Division|USL Commissioner's Cup]]''' (Best USL Regular Season Record)
* '''Winners (3):''' 1994, 2002, 2007
* '''Runners-up (1):''' 1995

=== Other ===
'''[[Cascadia Cup]]'''
* '''Winners (6):''' 2006, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2018, 2019

'''[[Heritage Cup (MLS)|Heritage Cup]]'''
* '''Winners (8):''' 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

==Seattle Reign FC, 2013–present==
{{main|Seattle Reign FC}}

===History===
{{Excerpt|OL Reign|History|only=paragraph|paragraphs=0}}

====Establishment====
{{Excerpt|OL Reign|Establishment|hat=no}}

The team would play their first season at [[Starfire Sports|Starfire Stadium]] in [[Tukwila, Washington]], located approximately 12 miles from downtown [[Seattle]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Bird|first=Liviu|title=Seattle Reign FC announces Starfire Stadium as home venue|date=January 23, 2013 |url=http://equalizersoccer.com/2013/01/23/seattle-reign-fc-announces-starfire-stadium-as-home-venue/|publisher=Equalizer Soccer|access-date=January 23, 2013}}</ref>

====2013: Inaugural season====
{{Excerpt|OL Reign|2013: Inaugural season|hat=no}}

After the end of the 2013 season, the Reign announced a move to [[Memorial Stadium (Seattle)|Memorial Stadium]] on the [[Seattle Center]] grounds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/soundersfc/2014/02/06/reign-fc-confirms-its-new-home-will-be-seattle-memorial-stadium/ |title=Reign FC confirms its new home will be Seattle Memorial Stadium |first=Joshua |last=Mayers |work=Sounders FC Blog |publisher=[[The Seattle Times]] |date=February 6, 2014 |access-date=April 24, 2014 |archive-date=March 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307082924/http://blogs.seattletimes.com/soundersfc/2014/02/06/reign-fc-confirms-its-new-home-will-be-seattle-memorial-stadium/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{{Excerpt|OL Reign|2014–18: Seattle years|subsections=yes|hat=no}}

====2019&ndash;2021: Stadium search & relocations====
The club's lease on Memorial Stadium ended after the 2018 season, and the club faced a stadium crisis as that date approached. The stadium, owned by the [[Seattle School District]], dates to the 1940s and does not meet facility standards that were to be enforced by the NWSL and the [[United States Soccer Federation]] in 2019. Additionally, the district had announced plans to build a new high school in the area, with the stadium as the most likely site.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/will-reign-fc-thrive-or-just-survive-nwsls-cloudy-future-seattle |title=Will Reign FC thrive, or just survive? The NWSL's cloudy future in Seattle |first=Richard |last=Farley |magazine=[[FourFourTwo]] |date=September 27, 2017 |access-date=November 27, 2017 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041727/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/will-reign-fc-thrive-or-just-survive-nwsls-cloudy-future-seattle |url-status=dead }}</ref> Eventually, Predmore announced in January 2019 that the club would relocate to Tacoma and rebrand as Reign FC. As part of the move, separate minority stakes in the club were purchased by the ownership group of [[Minor League Baseball]]'s [[Tacoma Rainiers]], as well as Sounders FC principal owner [[Adrian Hanauer]] and his mother.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sounderatheart.com/2019/1/30/18203707/reign-owners-open-letter |title=An Open Letter to Fans and Supporters of Seattle Reign FC from the owners |first=Bill and Teresa |last=Predmore |work=Sounder at Heart |publisher=[[SB Nation]] |date=January 30, 2019 |access-date=February 11, 2019 |archive-date=January 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131145510/https://www.sounderatheart.com/2019/1/30/18203707/reign-owners-open-letter |url-status=dead }}</ref> For [[2019 Reign FC season|the 2019 season]], Reign FC began play at [[Cheney Stadium]], home to both the Rainiers and the Sounders' reserve side, [[Tacoma Defiance]].

{{Excerpt|OL Reign|2019 season|hat=no}}

Soccer games at Cheney Stadium required the repeated conversion of the baseball field to a [[soccer pitch]], which was considered a temporary solution since it was a considerable expense to the Rainiers and required waivers from the NWSL for games to be played there.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Linehan |first1=Meg |title=NWSL Players Association ratifies first collective bargaining agreement |url=https://theathletic.com/news/nwsl-players-association-ratifies-first-collective-bargaining-agreement/FxEH2fT5REqS/ |website=The Athletic |access-date=10 May 2022}}</ref> Thus, even before the announcement of the Reign FC move, the Rainiers and Defiance had already begun planning to build a new 5,000-seat [[soccer-specific stadium]] next to Cheney Stadium.<ref>{{cite web |last1=USLSoccer.com |title=Sounders Unveil Tacoma Stadium Plan for S2 |url=https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/789652-sounders-unveil-tacoma-stadium-plan-for-s2 |website=USLSoccer.com |date=May 7, 2017 |access-date=10 May 2022}}</ref> This stadium was originally scheduled for completion in 2021, but was pushed back to an indeterminate future date, partially due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].
Upon moving to Tacoma, the Reign originally planned to move to the new stadium upon its completion solely as a tenant, but subsequently joined the stadium group as a full partner in 2021, and pushed for a change in the plan to 10,000 seats.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rantz |first1=Susie |title=OL Reign join Tacoma stadium conversations |url=https://www.sounderatheart.com/seattle-reign/2021/6/15/22535605/ol-reign-sounders-tacoma-stadium-study |website=Sounder at Heart |date=June 15, 2021 |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=10 May 2022}}</ref> However, due to the increased costs and lengthier timeline associated with such a change, the Tacoma stadium plan fell out of favor, leaving the team's future location uncertain.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Oshan |first1=Jeremiah |title=Tacoma soccer stadium isn't quite dead, Rainiers president insists |url=https://www.sounderatheart.com/thefuture/2021/12/20/22847339/tacoma-soccer-stadium-not-dead-rainiers-president-interview |website=Sounder at Heart |date=December 20, 2021 |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=10 May 2022}}</ref> Thus, it was announced in December 2021 that the Reign would return to Seattle to begin play at [[Lumen Field]] starting with the [[2022 OL Reign season|2022 season]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=OL Reign |title=OL REIGN RETURNS HOME TO SEATTLE |url=https://www.olreign.com/news/ol-reign-returns-home-to-seattle |website=OL Reign |access-date=10 May 2022 |archive-date=December 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215182756/https://www.olreign.com/news/ol-reign-returns-home-to-seattle |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====2020: New ownership & rebranding====
[[Olympique Lyonnais Groupe|OL Groupe]], the parent company of top-level French club [[Olympique Lyonnais]], purchased a majority stake in Reign FC in a transaction that closed in January 2020. OL Groupe purchased an 89.5% stake in the side; the Predmores retained 7.5%, and former NBA star [[Tony Parker]], a business partner of OL, purchased 3%.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Levine |first1=Matthew |title=OL Groupe to become majority owner of National Women's Soccer League's Reign FC |url=http://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/ol-groupe-to-become-majority-owner-of-national-womens-soccer-leagues-reign-fc |access-date=December 19, 2019 |publisher=NWSL |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405034158/https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/ol-groupe-to-become-majority-owner-of-national-womens-soccer-leagues-reign-fc |url-status=dead }}</ref> The new owners announced the rebranding of the team as [[OL Reign]] on March 5, 2020.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Reign FC Reveal New Name and Brand Identity |url=https://www.olreign.com/news/2020/3/6/reign-fc-reveal-new-name-and-brand-identity |access-date=March 6, 2020 |publisher=OL Reign |date=March 6, 2020 |archive-date=April 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409085253/https://www.olreign.com/news/2020/3/6/reign-fc-reveal-new-name-and-brand-identity |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{{Excerpt|OL Reign|2020 season|hat=no}}

====2021 season====
{{Excerpt|OL Reign|2021 season}}

====2022 and 2023 seasons====
{{Excerpt|OL Reign|2022–present: Return to Seattle|subsections=yes}}

===Reign season results===
{{Excerpt|OL Reign|Season records|bold=yes}}

===Reign honors===
{{Excerpt|OL Reign|Honors|bold=yes}}

===Reign uniform evolution===
To date, all Reign uniforms have been manufactured by [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]], due to the league's exclusive outfitting agreement with that company.

{|
|
{{Football kit
| pattern_la=
| pattern_b=_nwsl13
| pattern_ra=
| leftarm=003254
| body=003254
| rightarm=003254
| shorts=003254
| socks=003254
| title=2013 Home
}}
|
{{Football kit
| pattern_la=_wide_black_cuff
| pattern_b=_SeattleReignFC_14h
| pattern_ra=_wide_black_cuff
| leftarm=1269d0
| body=000000
| rightarm=1269d0
| shorts=000000
| socks=000000
| title=2014&ndash;15 Home
}}
|
{{Football kit
| pattern_la=_transparent_fading_black_edge
| pattern_b=
| pattern_ra=_transparent_fading_black_edge
| pattern_sh=_transparent_fading_black_edge
| leftarm=2266CC
| body=2266CC
| rightarm=2266CC
| shorts=2266CC
| socks=2266CC
| title=2016&ndash;17 Home
}}
|
{{Football kit
| pattern_la= 
| pattern_b= _srfc18h
| pattern_ra=
| pattern_sh=
| leftarm=000000
| body=000000
| rightarm=000000
| shorts=000000
| socks=000000
| title=2018&ndash;19 Home
}}
|
{{Football kit
| pattern_la= 
| pattern_b= _rgn20h
| pattern_ra=
| pattern_sh=
| pattern_so =
| leftarm=FFFFFF
| body=FFFFFF
| rightarm=FFFFFF
| shorts=FFFFFF
| socks=FFFFFF
| title=2020 Home
}}
|
{{Football kit
| pattern_la= 
| pattern_b= _rgn21h
| pattern_ra=
| pattern_sh=
| pattern_so =
| leftarm=112855
| body=1F32B6
| rightarm=1F32B6
| shorts=112855
| socks=1F32B6
| title=2021&ndash;22 Home
}}
|
{{Football kit
| pattern_la= _rgn23h
| pattern_b= _rgn23h
| pattern_ra= _rgn23h
| pattern_sh= _redsides
| pattern_so =
| leftarm=112855
| body=1F32B6
| rightarm=1F32B6
| shorts=112855
| socks=1F32B6
| title=2023 Home
}}
|
{{Football kit
| pattern_la= _rgn24h
| pattern_b= 
| pattern_ra= _rgn24h
| pattern_sh= 
| pattern_so =
| leftarm=22274B
| body=22274B
| rightarm=22274B
| shorts=22274B
| socks=22274B
| title=2024 Home
}}
|}

{|
|
{{Football kit
| pattern_la=
| pattern_b=
| pattern_ra=
| leftarm=ffffff
| body=ffffff
| rightarm=ffffff
| shorts=003254
| socks=ffffff
| title=2013 Away
}}
|
{{Football kit
| pattern_la=_wide_white_cuff
| pattern_b=_SeattleReignFC_14a
| pattern_ra=_wide_white_cuff
| leftarm=000000
| body=ffffff
| rightarm=000000
| shorts=000000
| socks=ffffff
| title=2014 Away
}}
|
{{Football kit
| pattern_la=_wide_blue-gray_cuff
| pattern_b=_SeattleReignFC_15a
| pattern_ra=_wide_blue-gray_cuff
| leftarm=ffffff
| body=ffffff
| rightarm=ffffff
| shorts=ffffff
| socks=ffffff
| title=2015 Away
}}
|
{{Football kit
| pattern_la=_transparent_fading_black_edge
| pattern_b=
| pattern_ra=_transparent_fading_black_edge
| pattern_sh=_transparent_fading_black_edge
| leftarm=e8f758
| body=e8f758
| rightarm=e8f758
| shorts=e8f758
| socks=e8f758
| title=2016 Away
}}
|
{{Football kit
| pattern_la = _srfc17a
| pattern_b  = _srfc17a
| pattern_ra = _srfc17a
| pattern_sh = 
| leftarm  = 757e39
| body     = e8f758
| rightarm = 757e39
| shorts   = e8f758
| socks    = e8f758
| title=2017&ndash;18 Away
}}
|
{{Football kit
| pattern_la   = 
| pattern_b   = _reignfc19a
| pattern_ra   = 
| pattern_sh   = 
| leftarm      = FFFFFF
| body         = FFFFFF
| rightarm    = FFFFFF
| shorts       = FFFFFF
| socks        = FFFFFF
| title = 2019 Away
}}
|
{{Football kit
| title=2020 Away
| pattern_la   = _chelsea1718h
| pattern_b    = _chelsea1718h
| pattern_ra   = _chelsea1718h
| pattern_sh   = 
| pattern_so   = 
| leftarm     = 1F32B6
| body         = 1F32B6
| rightarm     = 1F32B6
| shorts      = 112855
| socks        = 1F32B6
}}
|
{{Football kit
| pattern_la   = 
| pattern_b   = _rgn21a
| pattern_ra   = 
| pattern_sh   = 
| pattern_so   = 
| leftarm      = FFFFFF
| body         = FFFFFF
| rightarm     = FFFFFF
| shorts       = FFFFFF
| socks        = FFFFFF
| title = 2021 Away
}}
|
{{Football kit
| pattern_la   = _borderonwhite
| pattern_b    = _rgn22a
| pattern_ra   = _borderonwhite
| pattern_sh   = _rgn22a
| pattern_so   = 
| leftarm      = dc0323
| body         = FFFFFF
| rightarm     = 1f32b6
| shorts       = FFFFFF
| socks       = FFFFFF
| title = 2022&ndash;23 Away
}}
|
{{Football kit
| pattern_la   = 
| pattern_b    = _rgn24a
| pattern_ra   = 
| pattern_sh   = 
| pattern_so   = 
| leftarm      = FFFFFF
| body        =  d4f1ff
| rightarm     = FFFFFF
| shorts       = d4f1ff
| socks        = FFFFFF
| title = 2024 Away
}}
|}

{|
|
{{Football kit
| pattern_la=_wide_purple_cuff
| pattern_b=_SeattleReignFC_15t
| pattern_ra=_wide_purple_cuff
| leftarm=dced7b
| body=dced7b
| rightarm=dced7b
| shorts=6506b5
| socks=6506b5
| title=2015 Third
}}
|
|}

====Sponsorship====
{{Excerpt|Seattle Reign FC|Sponsorship|only=table|bold=yes}}

==Seattle Impact==
{{main|Seattle Impact}}

In 2014, the [[Major Arena Soccer League]] awarded an expansion to former Tacoma Star player Dion Earl. The '''Seattle Impact''' played its inaugural season at the [[ShoWare Center]]. However, in January 2015, the team was sold to the semi-professional [[Tacoma Stars (2003)|Tacoma Stars]], who completed the season under the Stars' name.

== See also ==
{{Portal|Women's association football}}
* [[Gorilla FC]]
* [[Seattle Sounders (1974–83)]]
* [[Seattle Sounders (1994–2008)]]
* [[Seattle Sounders FC results by opponent]]
* [[Cascadia Cup]]
* [[Seattle Sounders – Portland Timbers rivalry|Sounders–Timbers rivalry]]
* [[Seattle Sounders–Vancouver Whitecaps rivalry|Sounders–Whitecaps rivalry]]

== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="Times-Timeline">{{cite news |date=May 6, 2004 |title=Seattle Sounders: Kicking through the memories |page=C4 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20040506&slug=sounderstimeline06 |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=December 23, 2022}}</ref>
}}

==External links ==
* [http://soundersfc.com Sounders FC website]
* [https://reignfc.com Reign FC website]

{{Association football by city}}
{{Seattle Sounders FC}}
{{Seattle Reign FC}}
{{USSoccer}}
{{Seattle Sports}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:History Of professional soccer in Seattle}}
[[Category:Seattle Sounders]]
[[Category:Seattle Sounders (1974–1983)]]
[[Category:Seattle Sounders (1994–2008)]]
[[Category:Seattle Sounders FC]]
[[Category:Seattle Reign FC]]
[[Category:History of soccer in the United States|Seattle]]
[[Category:History of Seattle|Soccer]]