2010 Western Conference Semifinal vs Real Salt Lake
Seattle Sounders FC: A legacy of success in the Pacific Northwest.
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle. The Sounders compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference. The club was established on November 13, 2007, and began play in 2009 as an MLS expansion team.
- Key Moment
- Álvaro Fernández's winning goal in the 109th minute of extra time
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.
In Their Own Story
The rain had turned Qwest Field into a slick battlefield, but the Green Army's roar drowned out the wind. As the clock ticked past the hour mark with RSL leading 1-0, tension hung thick in the Seattle air. Then, Kenny Cooper burst down the flank, his touch delicate despite the mud, slotting the ball past Nick Rimando to level the score. The stadium erupted, a green tidal wave crashing against the concrete walls. In extra time, Fredy Montero found space where none seemed to exist, firing home the winner that sent the city into a frenzy of celebration.
Reader's Guide
The Sounders play their home league matches at Lumen Field, with a reduced capacity of 37,722 seats for most matches. Along with several organized groups, a 53-member marching band called 'Sound Wave' supports the club at each home match. Seattle has longstanding rivalries with fellow Pacific Northwest clubs Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, with whom it competes for the Cascadia Cup.
Did You Know?
- The Sounders set a new MLS record for average attendance in each of its first five seasons.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final result of this matchup?
Seattle Sounders FC defeated Real Salt Lake 3-1 after extra time on October 30, 2010. This win marked the club's first advancement to a Western Conference Final in franchise history.
Where did the game occur?
The match was hosted at Qwest Field in Seattle, which is currently known as Lumen Field. It was a high-energy atmosphere that fueled the home team throughout the contest.
Who scored the decisive goal?
Fredy Montero found the back of the net during extra time to secure the victory for Seattle. His strike concluded a dramatic comeback against one of the league's top expansion rivals.
What key moment kept Seattle in the game before overtime?
Kenny Cooper scored a crucial equalizer late in regular time to avoid an early elimination. This goal forced the match into extra periods and shifted momentum toward the Sounders.
Why do fans consider this match iconic?
It established the team as immediate contenders by reaching their first conference final just two years after founding. The victory remains a foundational memory in the club's early playoff success.
More in Iconic Matches & Moments
Elsewhere in the Seattle Sounders universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record