Seattle Sounders FC

Lore & Background

The Sounders played their inaugural match on March 19, 2009, winning 3–0 over the New York Red Bulls. Seattle has been among the league's most successful teams, winning the U.S. Open Cup four times, the Supporters' Shield in 2014, and the MLS Cup in 2016 and 2019. From its MLS inception until 2022, the team qualified for the MLS Cup playoffs—formerly the longest record in league history—and competed in the CONCACAF Champions League seven times, becoming the first MLS team to win the modern version of the competition in 2022.

The Sounders were the first MLS team to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup. The team set a new MLS record for average attendance in each of its first five seasons. The Sounders are ranked as one of the most valuable franchises in North America. Its former players have included U.S. international Clint Dempsey, long-time captain Osvaldo Alonso, and all-time assist leader Nicolás Lodeiro.

The team's top goalscorer is Jordan Morris, who joined the Sounders in 2016 and surpassed Raúl Ruidíaz's record in 2025. Since 2024, the Sounders are affiliated with sister team Seattle Reign FC of the National Women's Soccer League. The Sounders also operate a players' academy and the lower-division Tacoma Defiance, which have produced homegrown players, including forward Jordan Morris and defender DeAndre Yedlin.

Reader's Guide

Even before the first cities in the United States were chosen to host Major League Soccer teams, Seattle was considered a viable location for a professional team. In 1994, as the U.S. was preparing to host the FIFA World Cup, more than 30 cities were pursuing the rights to an MLS team, Seattle being among them. However, despite the strong soccer fan base in Seattle, the absence of a soccer-only stadium was a drawback to establishing an MLS team. Cities seeking consideration for an inaugural MLS team were also expected to secure 10,000 assurances from fans for season tickets.

By the June 3, 1994, deadline for MLS team bids, Seattle's soccer organizers had secured fewer than 1,500 such assurances. These low numbers were a result of competition between the ticket campaign for the MLS expansion team and for the American Professional Soccer League (APSL) Sounders expansion team. In a June 14, 1994, announcement, Seattle was not included among the first seven cities to be awarded an MLS team. Five more teams were to be announced later in the year, and to improve their chances this time, the city's soccer organizers began working with the University of Washington to secure use of Husky Stadium as an interim stadium while they pursued the construction of a permanent soccer-specific facility.

In November 1994, the start of the first MLS season was postponed until 1996, and it was noted that the absence of an "adequate grass-field facility" in the area and the presence of the new APSL Seattle Sounders team had thwarted Seattle's MLS bid. In the end, Seattle was not among the cities chosen to establish a team during the first season of MLS. In 1996, as Seattle Seahawks owner Paul Allen worked with the city to build a new football stadium for his team, the potential of an MLS expansion team that could be a co-tenant helped drive public support for the effort.

Many of the state's voters supported the referendum to construct Seahawks Stadium because it was also expected to be a professional soccer venue. While the stadium problem was being resolved, a new issue emerged. By 2000, MLS was moving away from league-operated teams to investor-operated teams, so wealthy individuals would need to step forward for Seattle to obtain an MLS expansion team.

Origins and Expansion Era

Los Angeles Football Club emerged as a new force in Major League Soccer following the dissolution of Chivas USA, officially established on October 30, 2014. The organization selected the timeless moniker 'Los Angeles Football Club' to reflect its ambition, with Henry Nguyen serving as principal owner during this formative period. By July 2017, the club solidified its leadership by appointing Bob Bradley as head coach and John Thorrington as general director.

A pivotal moment in their early history occurred on August 11, 2017, when Mexican forward Carlos Vela was signed as the inaugural designated player. The team officially began competition in March 2018, marking a historic start by defeating Seattle Sounders FC in their first-ever match. Despite an initial loss to crosstown rivals LA Galaxy in 'El Tráfico,' the expansion side demonstrated remarkable resilience on the road, securing twelve points from their opening six away games and setting a new benchmark for expansion teams with seven road victories that season.

Record-Breaking Inaugural Campaign

The 2018 inaugural season was defined by exceptional performance, as LAFC achieved the best regular-season record in MLS history for an expansion team. Finishing with 57 points, they surpassed previous records held by the Chicago Fire and Atlanta United FC, while also tying the all-time mark for road wins by a new franchise. Offensively, the squad was potent, scoring 68 goals to rank second among expansion teams behind only Atlanta's total. Diego Rossi made history by netting the club's first competitive goal in their season opener against Seattle Sounders FC.

Although the team successfully clinched a playoff berth with a decisive victory over Colorado Rapids and finished third in the Western Conference, their postseason run ended abruptly. In a surprising upset, they were eliminated in the first round at home by sixth-place Real Salt Lake, highlighting the gap between regular-season dominance and knockout-stage pressure.

Trophies and Continental Ambitions

The club's trajectory shifted dramatically in 2019 when they secured their first Supporters' Shield with a record-breaking 72 points. This era was highlighted by Carlos Vela, who not only earned the league MVP award but also won the Golden Boot with an astounding 34 goals. While playoff success remained elusive against Seattle Sounders FC in both 2019 and 2020, the team found glory on the continental stage. In 2020, LAFC became the third MLS side to reach the CONCACAF Champions League final, overcoming deficits against Club León and Cruz Azul before falling to Tigres UANL. The club finally achieved domestic supremacy in 2022 by winning their second Supporters' Shield and capturing their maiden MLS Cup title. Their trophy cabinet was further expanded in 2024 with a victory in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, cementing their status as a multi-trophy powerhouse.

Star Power and Leadership Evolution

Throughout its relatively short history, LAFC has attracted global attention by signing high-profile international stars such as Gareth Bale, Olivier Giroud, Hugo Lloris, Son Heung-min, and Giorgio Chiellini. The club's ownership structure is equally unique, featuring managing owners Brandon Beck, Larry Berg, and Bennett Rosenthal alongside celebrity part-owners like Will Ferrell, Magic Johnson, Mia Hamm, and Nomar Garciaparra. Leadership on the field has been a defining characteristic, with Carlos Vela serving as captain during their championship runs.

However, the coaching staff saw significant changes; after Bob Bradley led the club through its first four seasons, he was replaced in January 2022 by Steven Cherundolo following a missed playoff appearance in 2021. Under Cherundolo's guidance, the team achieved the league double in 2022, proving that strategic roster rebuilding and experienced leadership could translate into sustained success.

History

Seattle was considered a viable location for an MLS team as early as 1994, but failed to secure a bid due to stadium issues and low ticket assurances. In 1996, public support grew with the construction of Seahawks Stadium, which voters hoped would host soccer. By 2003, expansion plans resurfaced, but high franchise fees became a hurdle for owner Adrian Hanauer. In 2007, Hanauer partnered with Joe Roth and Paul Allen to bid $30 million. On November 13, 2007, Seattle was awarded the franchise, owned by Hanauer, Roth, Allen, and Drew Carey. The team name "Seattle Sounders FC" was announced on April 7, 2008. Sigi Schmid was named head coach in December 2008. The club played its first match on March 19, 2009, defeating the New York Red Bulls 3–0. They won the U.S. Open Cup later that year and qualified for the playoffs, finishing with a record of 12 wins, 7 losses, and 11 draws.

Achievements

The Sounders have been among the league's most successful teams since their start. They won the U.S. Open Cup four times and the Supporters' Shield in 2014. Their MLS Cup victories came in 2016 and 2019. The team qualified for the MLS Cup playoffs every year from its inception until 2022, a record streak that was the longest in league history at the time. They competed in the CONCACAF Champions League seven times, becoming the first MLS team to win the modern version of the competition in 2022. Additionally, they were the first MLS team to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup. The team set a new MLS record for average attendance in each of its first five seasons.