Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is a team in Major League Soccer (MLS) that plays in Seattle, Washington. It was founded in 2007 and began playing in 2009. Their name, which comes from the name of two older teams in Seattle, was chosen by fans in 2008. The club's majority owner is Adrian Hanauer, and its minority owners are the estate of Paul Allen, Drew Carey, and a group of 11 Seattle-area families that includes Russell Wilson, his wife Ciara, and Macklemore. Many fans are in groups and also a 53-member band called Sound Wave plays at every home game. Their rivals, the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps, play against the Seattle in the Cascadia Cup every year. Brian Schmetzer is the team's head coach.
| Nickname(s) | The Sounders | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | November 13, 2007 | ||
| Majority owner | Adrian Hanauer | ||
| General manager | Garth Lagerwey | ||
| Head coach | Brian Schmetzer | ||
| League | Major League Soccer | ||
| 2019 | Western Conference: 2nd Overall: 4th Playoffs: Champions | ||
| Website | Club home page | ||
| |||
The team was the 15th MLS team and first played in the 2009 season. At every Seattle game, all of the seats were sold and the fans set a new record for average (or middle) match attendance, while the team also sold more season tickets than anyone else in the MLS. The Seattle Sounders FC finished their first year in the MLS playoffs, but lost in the semi-finals. The team did win their first trophy, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and became the second team to do so in their first year. The Sounders went on to win the U.S. Open Cup in 2010 and 2011 as well, becoming the first team in over 40 years to win that competition three straight times. They won again in 2014, also winning the Supporters' Shield. In 2016, Seattle won their first MLS Cup; they returned to the final the following year and lost.
Seattle Sounders FC Media
Players celebrate after winning the 2009 U.S. Open Cup.
Sounders FC players with the 2009, 2010, and 2011 U.S. Open Cup trophies
Sounders players celebrating a goal against the Colorado Rapids, 2014
Obafemi Martins dribbling between two L.A. Galaxy defenders, 2014
The victory parade for the Sounders after MLS Cup 2016
The starting lineups for the Sounders and C.F. Monterrey during their 2023 Leagues Cup match
Supporters in the lower bowl of Lumen Field
Overhead view of Lumen Field in soccer configuration
Emerald City Supporters unveil a tifo prior to the club's inaugural match.
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