Seattle Sounders FC Tickets

Seattle Sounders FC became a Major League Soccer expansion team in 2009 but drew on decades of history in the sport upon their entry to the league. The Seattle Sounders competed in the North American Soccer League from 1974 to 1983 and were one of the more successful clubs of that era, reaching the Soccer Bowl in 1977 and 1982 but losing both times to the New York Cosmos. The Sounders later participated in the United Soccer League from 1997 to 2008, winning championships in 2005 and 2007. Seattle has maintained a regional rivalry with the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC across multiple professional leagues.

Sounders FC asserted dominance over the U.S. Open Cup in its early years, winning four of the first six tournaments played as an MLS franchise. A semifinal appearance in the 2013 CONCACAF Championship showed the club’s ability to compete with international clubs. Seattle reached the MLS playoffs in each of its first 10 seasons. The Sounders won the Supporters’ Shield in 2014 as the league’s best regular-season team.

Seattle’s greatest achievement in the early seasons culminated in the 2016 MLS Cup final. The Sounders finished fourth in the Western Conference and won a knockout round match against Sporting Kansas City. Seattle proceeded to win series against FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids to reach the MLS Cup against Toronto FC. The match remained scoreless after 90 minutes and extra time, requiring penalties. Sounders defender Roman Torres finished the match with a goal in the sixth round and goalkeeper Stefan Frei won MLS Cup MVP.

The Sounders made several fan-friendly moves that strengthened its position in the league after 2009. First, the club moved into the 69,000-seat CenturyLink Field, which they share with the Seattle Seahawks, for its inaugural season. This venue allowed the club to accommodate the large crowds interested in rivalry matches against clubs like the Portland Timbers. Seattle also adopted the Sounders FC Alliance, a group of season ticket members who have the ability to vote on retaining or removing the general manager after four seasons in charge. The Sounders also brought U.S. men’s national team captain Clint Dempsey to Seattle in 2013, which combined Dempsey’s talents with interest in the upcoming 2014 World Cup to attract fans to the club.