Seattle Sounders FC

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The path to MLS began long before the team took the field. In 1994, despite strong fan support, Seattle failed to secure an inaugural MLS bid due to a lack of a soccer-only stadium and fewer than 1,500 season ticket assurances compared to the required 10,000. The city focused on building Seahawks Stadium with the University of Washington's Husky Stadium as an interim option. By 2007, Adrian Hanauer teamed up with producer Joe Roth and Paul Allen to secure the expansion rights for $30 million. The announcement at the Columbia Center marked the return of top-level soccer to Seattle for the first time since 1983. All 22,000 season ticket packages sold out immediately. Sigi Schmid was introduced as head coach in December 2008, leading the team into their inaugural season.

In Their Own Story

The Sounders made history on March 19, 2009, winning their inaugural match 3–0 against the New York Red Bulls before a sold-out crowd of 32,523 at Qwest Field. They became the first MLS expansion team to win their first three matches, each by shutout. The club quickly established itself as an attendance powerhouse, setting a new MLS record for average attendance in each of its first five seasons with 30,943 fans per match. On September 2, 2009, they became the second expansion team to win the U.S. Open Cup in their debut season, defeating D.C. United 2–1. Their inaugural campaign ended in the conference semifinals against the Houston Dynamo, but the foundation for a dynasty was set with a record-breaking start and immediate cup success.

Reader's Guide

Seattle Sounders FC plays its home league matches at Lumen Field, which holds a reduced capacity of 37,722 seats for most games. The club is supported by organized groups and a 53-member marching band called "Sound Wave." Longstanding rivalries exist with Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, competing for the Cascadia Cup. Under head coach Brian Schmetzer, who took over in July 2016 after Sigi Schmid's departure, the team achieved significant success. They won the U.S. From inception until 2022, they held the longest active streak of qualifying for the MLS Cup playoffs. The team also became the first MLS club to win the modern CONCACAF Champions League in 2022.

Did You Know?

• The Sounders were the first MLS expansion team to win their first three matches, doing so with a shutout in each game — though the Chicago Fire also achieved this feat in 1998.
• Brian Schmetzer took over as head coach in July 2016 after serving as both former USL-1 Sounders coach and assistant coach under Sigi Schmid.
• Raúl Ruidíaz is the team's all-time leading scorer in MLS regular season and all competitions.
• The club's majority owner is Adrian Hanauer, while minority owners include the estate of Paul Allen (Vulcan Inc.), Drew Carey, and 14 local families.

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.