History of Seattle Sounders FC facts for kids
Seattle Sounders FC is a professional soccer team based in Seattle, Washington. They play in Major League Soccer (MLS), which is the top soccer league in the United States. The team has a long history, with roots going back to the 1970s and the North American Soccer League.
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How the Team Started
Even before Major League Soccer began, Seattle was seen as a good place for a professional soccer team. In 1994, when the U.S. was getting ready to host the FIFA World Cup, Seattle was one of many cities hoping to get an MLS team.
However, Seattle faced some challenges. There wasn't a stadium just for soccer, and the city needed to get 10,000 promises from fans to buy season tickets. By the deadline in June 1994, Seattle had fewer than 1,500 ticket promises. This was partly because another local soccer team, the APSL Sounders, was also selling tickets.
Because of these issues, Seattle was not chosen for the first group of MLS teams. To improve their chances, local soccer organizers worked with the University of Washington to use Husky Stadium temporarily. But in November 1994, the start of the first MLS season was delayed, and Seattle was still not chosen, partly due to not having a good grass field stadium and the presence of the new APSL Sounders team.
In 1996, when Seattle Seahawks owner Paul Allen worked to build a new football stadium, the idea of an MLS team sharing the stadium helped get public support. Many voters supported building what is now Lumen Field because it would also be a place for professional soccer.
By 2000, MLS changed its rules, moving from league-run teams to teams owned by investors. This meant wealthy people needed to step forward for Seattle to get a team.
In 2003, Seattle was again considered for an MLS expansion team. In 2004, MLS Commissioner Don Garber said Seattle was "very close" to getting a team. Adrian Hanauer, who owned the USL Sounders at the time, talked with MLS about getting a franchise. But when Seattle was passed over again in 2006, Hanauer said he needed more investors because the fees to join MLS had grown to over $10 million.
MLS Finally Arrives
In 2007, Adrian Hanauer teamed up with Hollywood producer Joe Roth to try again for an MLS team, this time for $30 million. Paul Allen also joined the ownership group, making the bid very strong. Rumors spread in early November 2007 that Seattle would get a team, and TV personality Drew Carey joined the ownership group as well.
On November 13, 2007, it was officially announced that Seattle had been awarded an MLS expansion team! This brought top-level soccer back to Seattle for the first time since the original North American Soccer League team ended in 1983. The USL Sounders team played its final season before the new MLS team started.
Team Name, Badge, and Colors
Fans chose the team's name in an online poll in March 2008. The first choices did not include "Seattle Sounders" because the team wanted a "fresh start." However, many fans were upset by this. So, the team added a "write-in" option, allowing fans to suggest any name. Out of over 14,500 votes, 49% included some form of "Sounders."
On April 7, 2008, "Seattle Sounders FC" was announced as the team name, along with the team's logo and colors. "FC" stands for Football Club. The team's badge looks like a shield and has two layers, showing the partnership between the owners, community, players, and fans. The logo includes the Space Needle, a famous Seattle landmark.
The official team colors are:
- Sounder Blue: Represents the waters of the Puget Sound.
- Rave Green: Represents the forests of the Pacific Northwest.
- Cascade Shale: Represents the Cascade Range mountains east of Seattle.
The team's first jersey was shown on May 28, 2008. Microsoft became the team's sponsor in a five-year deal worth about $20 million. As part of this, the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live names appear on the Sounders FC jerseys and around the stadium.
The Sigi Schmid Years (2009–2016)
2009: First MLS Season
The Sounders started their first MLS season in 2009. Before their first game, they sold all 22,000 of their season ticket packages, setting an MLS record! They played their first home game on March 19, 2009, in front of a sold-out crowd of 32,523 fans. They won 3–0 against the New York Red Bulls. Seattle was the first MLS expansion team to win their first three games, and they did it without letting the other team score any goals.
Fredy Montero scored the team's first regular season goal. He also won "Player of the Week" and "Player of the Month" awards early on. Goalkeeper Kasey Keller, a veteran player, made his MLS debut at 39 years old and helped the team get its first shutout.
The Sounders won their first away game against Toronto FC. However, they suffered their first home loss against the Kansas City Wizards, where Kasey Keller was sent off.
In July, the Sounders signed defender Leonardo González. On July 11, the team won a home game against the Houston Dynamo. A few days later, they beat Houston again in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals, sending them to the finals.
The Sounders played friendly matches against famous European clubs. On July 18, 2009, they lost 0–2 to Chelsea in front of 65,289 fans. On August 5, 2009, they set a state record for soccer attendance with 66,848 fans at a friendly match against FC Barcelona.
On September 2, 2009, the Sounders FC became the second MLS expansion team to win the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament in their first season. They beat D.C. United 2–1 away from home. Winning this cup also meant they qualified for the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League.
On October 17, 2009, the Sounders also became the second MLS expansion team to make it to the playoffs in their first season. They finished the regular season with 12 wins, 7 losses, and 11 ties. The club set a new MLS record for average attendance with 30,943 fans per game. Their first season ended in the playoffs when they lost to the Houston Dynamo. All 15 of their regular season home matches, their home playoff game, and their U.S. Open Cup matches were sold out.
First U.S. Open Cup Title
Winning the U.S. Open Cup in their first MLS season was a big achievement for Sounders FC. Coach Sigi Schmid said the Open Cup was very important because it offered a chance to qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League. The Sounders played their U.S. Open Cup home games at the smaller Starfire Sports Complex because they preferred the atmosphere for these cup matches.
They won their qualification matches against Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids. In the third round, they faced their rivals, the Portland Timbers, and won 2–1. They then beat Kansas City and the Houston Dynamo to reach the final.
On September 2, 2009, they won the U.S. Open Cup by defeating D.C. United 2–1. This victory earned them a spot in the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League.
2010: Second U.S. Open Cup Win
For the second year in a row, the Sounders hosted the first MLS game of the season. They played against the new expansion team, the Philadelphia Union, and won 2–0. The attendance of 36,241 set a new team record for an MLS regular season game.
The start of 2010 was a bit tough for the Sounders, with some losses and ties. After a big 4–0 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy, Sounders FC owner Adrian Hanauer announced that all 32,000 season ticket holders would receive a refund as a way to apologize for the team's performance.
The team also played in the CONCACAF Champions League, where they made it past the first round but were eliminated in the group stage. In the U.S. Open Cup, Seattle won matches against Portland, Los Angeles Galaxy, and Chivas USA. On October 5, 2010, Seattle won the U.S. Open Cup final again, beating the Columbus Crew 2–1. They became the first team since 1983 to win the U.S. Open Cup two years in a row. This win also meant they would return to the Champions League in 2011.
2011: Third U.S. Open Cup Win
The Sounders started the 2011 season by hosting the MLS opening match for the third year in a row, but they lost 1–0 to the Los Angeles Galaxy. On April 22, 2011, a major setback happened when star midfielder Steve Zakuani suffered a broken leg during a game, ending his season.
Despite this and a slow start, the Sounders finished the season with the second-best record in the league and made the playoffs for the third year in a row. On October 4, 2011, Seattle won its third consecutive U.S. Open Cup, beating the Chicago Fire 2–0. They were the first club in 42 years to win the tournament three times in a row!
In the MLS playoffs, Seattle lost to Real Salt Lake. Sounders midfielder Mauro Rosales was named the 2011 Newcomer of the Year. In 2011, Seattle again broke its own league record for average attendance with 38,496 fans per game. In the 2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League, Seattle became only the second MLS team to win a competitive match in Mexico, defeating CF Monterrey 1–0.
2012: No Trophies This Year
The 2012 season started strong with five straight wins, but then the team went through a tough period with nine matches without a win. The Sounders reached the U.S. Open Cup Final for the fourth year in a row, but they lost to Sporting Kansas City in a penalty shootout.
In the Champions League, the team made it to the knockout round. The Sounders finished third in their conference and made the playoffs, where they advanced past the first round for the first time. However, they lost to the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Conference Championship. The 2012 season was the first time in their MLS history that the Sounders did not win a major trophy. Striker Eddie Johnson was the top scorer with 14 goals.
2013: Clint Dempsey Joins the Team
In 2013, the Sounders signed their first local player, DeAndre Yedlin, along with veteran defender Djimi Traoré and forward Obafemi Martins. Long-time forward Fredy Montero left the team.
The Sounders started the 2013 season in the knockout round of the 2012–13 Champions League. They faced Mexican club Tigres UANL and won 3–1, becoming the first MLS team to eliminate a Mexican team in the Champions League knockout stage. However, they lost in the semifinals to Santos Laguna.
The MLS season started slowly for the Sounders due to player injuries. They also lost in the U.S. Open Cup, ending their long streak of reaching the later rounds. But as players returned, the team improved. In August 2013, the Sounders made a huge signing: U.S. national team captain Clint Dempsey joined the team from Tottenham Hotspur. This was the biggest transfer deal in MLS history at the time.
The team's winning streak put them in the running for the Supporters' Shield (given to the team with the best regular season record). They made the playoffs but lost to their rivals, the Portland Timbers, in the conference semifinal.
The Sounders continued to break MLS attendance records in 2012 and 2013, with averages of 43,144 and 44,038 fans. A home game against the Portland Timbers on August 25, 2013, drew a crowd of 67,385, which was the second-largest attendance for a single MLS match ever.
2014: First Supporters' Shield and Fourth U.S. Open Cup
After a disappointing 2013, the Sounders made some changes to their team. They signed new goalkeeper Stefan Frei and experienced player Marco Pappa. Many veteran players, including Eddie Johnson and Steve Zakuani, left the club. Brad Evans was named the new team captain.
The Sounders had a great year in 2014. They won their fourth Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy, defeating the Philadelphia Union in extra time. On October 25, 2014, in the final game of the regular season, the Sounders beat the LA Galaxy 2–0 to win their first-ever Supporters' Shield. This trophy is given to the team with the best record in the regular season.
As the top team in the playoffs, Seattle beat FC Dallas but then lost to the LA Galaxy in the Western Conference Championship. The Galaxy went on to win the MLS Cup that year.
2015: Playoff Challenges Continue
In January 2015, Garth Lagerwey was hired as the club's general manager. The season started well, with the team at the top of the Western Conference by June. However, during a U.S. Open Cup match, Obafemi Martins got injured, and Clint Dempsey was suspended.
With their main attacking players out, the team struggled during the summer. But by late August, Martins had recovered, and the team went on an 8-match unbeaten streak, securing a spot in the playoffs. They also won their group in the 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League. The club signed new players like Nelson Haedo Valdez, Andreas Ivanschitz, and Román Torres.
In the first round of the playoffs, the Sounders beat the LA Galaxy 3–2, ending a streak of losing to LA in previous playoffs. However, their playoff run ended in the next round against FC Dallas, where they lost in a penalty shootout.
In November 2015, Adrian Hanauer became the main owner of the club. The club set another new attendance record in 2015, with an average of 44,247 fans per game.
2016: Coach Schmid Departs
Before the 2016 season, Obafemi Martins suddenly left the club to play in China, which hurt the Sounders' offense. However, they signed local player Jordan Morris.
During the first half of the 2016 season, the Sounders struggled and were near the bottom of the league. After a 3–0 loss on July 24, coach Sigi Schmid left the club.
The Brian Schmetzer Years (2016–Present)
2016: Amazing Comeback and MLS Cup Win
Brian Schmetzer, a long-time assistant coach, became the interim head coach after Schmid left. The next day, the club signed Uruguayan midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro and welcomed back Álvaro Fernández. Even though they had a slow start and lost midfielder Clint Dempsey due to a heart issue, the Sounders made an incredible comeback. They 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 ties. Schmetzer was then named the permanent head coach.
At the end of the regular season, Jordan Morris was named the MLS Rookie of the Year for scoring the most goals of any American rookie (12). Nicolás Lodeiro was named MLS Newcomer of the Year for his great performance. The Sounders advanced through the playoffs, beating Sporting Kansas City, FC Dallas, and the Colorado Rapids to reach their first-ever MLS Cup final.
On December 10, 2016, the Sounders defeated Toronto FC 5–4 in a penalty shootout to win MLS Cup 2016, their first MLS championship! They won the entire match without even having a shot on goal during regular play. This season was called a "cinderella season" because of their dramatic comeback.
2017: Almost a Repeat
The Sounders started their title defense by signing new players. Clint Dempsey also returned and scored in his first game. The season began with only five wins in the first 17 matches, but then the team went on a 13-match unbeaten streak and secured second place in the Western Conference.
In the playoffs, the Sounders beat the Vancouver Whitecaps and Houston Dynamo to win the Western Conference. They returned to the MLS Cup final, again facing Toronto FC. Seattle lost 2–0 to Toronto, who won their first domestic "treble" (winning three major trophies). After the loss, Coach Schmetzer said his goal was for the Sounders to host an MLS Cup final in Seattle.
2018: Longest Winning Streak
Seattle started the 2018 season in the CONCACAF Champions League, where they lost in the quarterfinals. During this time, Jordan Morris injured his ACL and couldn't play for the rest of the season. Without Morris and other injured players, the Sounders lost many of their early matches and were at the bottom of their conference by June.
That month, the club signed a new Designated Player, Peruvian forward Raúl Ruidíaz. After this, the team began a long unbeaten streak that led them to a playoff spot. On September 1, the club broke the MLS record for most consecutive wins, winning eight matches in a row. They extended this to nine wins before finally losing. The Sounders finished second in the Western Conference, winning 14 of their final 16 matches, which was the best second half of a season in league history.
Sadly, minority owner Paul Allen passed away on October 15, 2018. Seattle then faced the Portland Timbers in the Conference Semifinals. They lost the first game but won the second, tying the series. Portland won in a dramatic penalty shootout.
2019: Second MLS Cup Title
The 2019 MLS season began with the loss of team captain Osvaldo Alonso. Defender Chad Marshall also retired mid-season. Despite these losses and a suspension for Román Torres, the Sounders finished 2nd in the Western Conference and qualified for the playoffs for a record 11th year in a row.
The Sounders defeated FC Dallas in the first round, with Jordan Morris scoring three goals. They then won against Real Salt Lake at home and beat Los Angeles FC in the Conference Finals. Seattle hosted the MLS Cup final against Toronto FC, playing them for the third time in four years. The Sounders won 3–1 to claim their second championship! The match had an attendance of 69,274, setting records for the team and for any sporting event at Lumen Field.
2020: Pandemic and MLS Cup Runners-Up
Seattle began the 2020 season in the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League, but they lost in a penalty shootout. The MLS season was then suspended on March 12, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The league returned with the MLS is Back Tournament in Florida. The Sounders advanced to the round of 16 but lost to Los Angeles FC. The team then resumed playing home matches without fans at Lumen Field (which was renamed from CenturyLink Field).
The Sounders joined a multi-sport boycott in August to protest racial injustice. They later set a franchise record for their biggest win with a 7–1 home victory against the San Jose Earthquakes. The team made the playoffs for the 12th year in a row and finished second in the Western Conference.
In the playoffs, the Sounders defeated Los Angeles FC and FC Dallas. They then faced Minnesota United FC in the Western Conference Final. Minnesota took a 2–0 lead, but Seattle scored three goals in the final 18 minutes to make an amazing comeback and reach their fourth MLS Cup in five years. The Sounders faced the Columbus Crew in the 2020 MLS Cup final and lost 3–0.
2021: Leagues Cup Runners-Up
Seattle started the 2021 season with a 13-match unbeaten streak, setting a new MLS record, even though key players like Nicolas Lodeiro, Jordan Morris, Stefan Frei, and Raul Ruidiaz were out with long-term injuries. Coach Brian Schmetzer changed the team's formation, which helped them concede very few goals.
The Sounders won the Cascadia Cup again. They also won two matches against Mexican clubs in the 2021 Leagues Cup and reached the final, where they lost 3–2 to Club León. Seattle stayed in first place in the Western Conference for a while, but a winless streak at the end of the season caused them to finish second. They made the playoffs but were eliminated in the first round by Real Salt Lake in a penalty shootout.
2022: First CONCACAF Champions League Title
The team qualified for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League. In the first round, the Sounders tied F.C. Motagua in Honduras but then beat them 5–0 at home. Seattle then faced Club León again, winning the first game 3–0 and tying the second to advance.
The team played against the MLS Cup 2021 champions, New York City FC, in the semifinals. Seattle won the first game 3–1 and tied the second, advancing to their first-ever Champions League final. They faced Mexican club UNAM. The first game ended in a 2–2 tie. In the second game in Seattle, the Sounders won 3–0 in front of 68,741 fans, setting a new attendance record for the competition.
The Sounders became the first MLS club to win the CONCACAF Champions League with a 5–2 overall victory! As CONCACAF champions, Seattle is expected to be the first MLS club to play in the FIFA Club World Cup.
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