Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders FC is a professional soccer club founded in 2009 and based in Seattle, Washington, United States. The team plays at Lumen Field and competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top flight of professional club soccer in the United States. The Sounders are one of the most successful MLS teams, having won two MLS Cup titles and the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League. The club represents the 42nd season for a professional team bearing the Sounders name, which originated in 1974 with the first incarnation of the franchise.
History
Overview
General information about the club
Seattle Sounders FC is currently in its 17th season in Major League Soccer, continuing a legacy that spans 42 seasons of professional soccer in Seattle. The team plays at Lumen Field and has established itself as one of MLS's most successful franchises. The club operates under head coach Brian Schmetzer, who is in his ninth full MLS season managing the team and has led them to significant achievements including two MLS Cup titles and continental success.
Most recent season and achievements
During the 2024 season, the Sounders played 47 matches across multiple competitions, finishing with a record of 22 wins, 13 losses, and 12 draws. The team had a challenging first half of the regular season with a losing record but made significant adjustments to their formation, resulting in the best record during the latter half of the MLS season. They conceded the fewest goals of any team during the regular season and reached the Western Conference Final, where they were eliminated by eventual league champion LA Galaxy.
History
Early years
The current iteration of Seattle Sounders FC was founded in 2009 as an MLS expansion team, though it represents the continuation of a professional soccer tradition in Seattle that began in 1974 with the original Sounders franchise. The club entered MLS as one of the league's expansion teams and quickly established itself as a competitive force in American soccer.
Successful period
The Sounders' most successful period began with the hiring of Brian Schmetzer as head coach in 2016. Under his leadership, the team has won two MLS Cup titles in four appearances and captured the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League, which qualified them for the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup. This continental success led to Schmetzer receiving a multi-year contract extension in 2024, recognizing his achievements with the club.
Current period
The 2025 season represents a significant year for the Sounders as they participate in multiple prestigious competitions. The team qualified for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup based on their 2022 CONCACAF Champions League victory and entered the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup based on their 2024 regular season finish. They are scheduled to play a minimum of 42 matches across MLS competitions, domestic cups, and international tournaments organized by FIFA and CONCACAF.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
Seattle Sounders FC has achieved significant success in Major League Soccer, winning two MLS Cup titles since 2016. The team has made four MLS Cup appearances under head coach Brian Schmetzer and has consistently been one of the top performers in the league. In 2024, they had the best record during the latter half of the MLS season and conceded the fewest goals of any team during the regular season.
Continental and global competitions
The Sounders' most notable international achievement came in 2022 when they won the CONCACAF Champions League, becoming one of the few MLS teams to capture the continental championship. This victory qualified them for the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The team has participated in the CONCACAF Champions Cup eight times since entering MLS and set an MLS record with a 13-match unbeaten streak in CONCACAF play before it ended in 2025.
Symbols and Colors
Traditional home and away kits colors
For the 2025 season, the Sounders introduced a new secondary jersey called the "Salish Sea Kit" in February 2025. This jersey features several shades of blue arranged in triangular Salish weaving patterns with light blue and green accents. The design was created in collaboration with three Coast Salish artists from local tribes: Connie McCloud of the Puyallup Tribe, Gail White Eagle of the Muckleshoot Tribe, and Danielle Morsette of the Suquamish Tribe. The jersey includes the Southern Lushootseed phrase x̌ax̌aʔ ti qʷuʔ and its English translation ("water is sacred") on the front and a stylized orca tail on the back. It is the first Sounders jersey to be primarily blue since the Pacific Blue kit used in the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
Traditional Rivals
Los Angeles FC
Los Angeles FC has emerged as a significant rival for the Sounders in recent seasons. During the 2024 season, LAFC eliminated Seattle from both the U.S. Open Cup semifinals and the Leagues Cup quarterfinals. However, the Sounders gained revenge by defeating LAFC in the MLS Cup Playoffs, demonstrating the competitive nature of this rivalry.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Ownership and finances
The Sounders operate under MLS roster and salary cap regulations, with a maximum of 30 signed players permitted on the first team for the 2025 season. The team counts towards a base salary cap of $5.95 million with exceptions for certain categories, including up to three Designated Players. The Sounders chose the Designated Player model for roster construction and had $4.2 million in available general allocation money during the winter transfer window, which was reduced to $1.15 million by May 2025.
Stadium
Lumen Field serves as the home stadium for Seattle Sounders FC. The venue hosted the team's three group stage matches during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where they faced Brazilian club Botafogo, Atlético Madrid of Spain, and Paris Saint-Germain of France. The stadium also hosts matches for the Leagues Cup, where the Sounders play against Mexican teams. The team's training facility is located at Longacres, and they also utilize the Renton facility for preseason training camps.