Relentless Since ’74: Sounders set sights on third MLS Cup title

The Seattle Sounders have been relentless since 1974.

The inaugural NASL staff laid the groundwork for 5 many years of sustained success — 50 years of lofty ambitions to match their elevated expectations. Quick ahead to right this moment, the Sounders have cemented themselves as one of the crucial profitable groups in North America.

“We have had a excessive normal all through the years,” mentioned goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

Since Seattle’s arrival to Main League Soccer in 2009, the staff has collected eight main trophies, greater than another North American Topflight Sports activities League group within the twenty first Century. The NFL’s New England Patriots rank second behind the Rave Inexperienced with six trophies from 2001-2019.

“You type of count on that the Sounders will do okay, or will make the playoffs, or will make a push for a trophy,” mentioned Frei. “However once more, that’s all earned. Each recreation, residence recreation, away recreation, it’s a must to earn your factors. It’s important to win each battle and win each duel.”

In MLS alone, the Sounders have set the usual in virtually each main class in comparison with the opposite 28 groups. Since 2009, the membership ranks first in factors (847), wins (241), residence wins (150), highway wins (91) and playoff wins (24).

The membership’s relentless ethos has underpinned a lot of the staff’s success in 2024. The start of the 12 months was lackluster, with just one win of their first 9 matches. However, the staff managed to show across the season, changing into the second winningest staff in MLS within the second half of the marketing campaign with a 12-2-3 file. The Rave Inexperienced totaled 39 factors throughout the remaining 17 matches, simply two behind Supporters’ Defend winners, Inter Miami CF.

“It simply took a little bit further consideration to all the main points at coaching, particularly within the fitness center, after which simply togetherness as a bunch and type of working round a couple of personnel and tactical modifications,” mentioned defender Jackson Ragen. “Every little thing’s paid off within the second half of the 12 months …. I believe coaches have been nice with a couple of tweaks, after which in the end, simply guys stepping up and enjoying effectively, actually.”

The Sounders want to carry over this momentum into the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, starting on Monday evening when the Sounders tackle the Houston Dynamo in Match One of many Spherical One, Finest-of-3 collection (6 p.m. PT; Watch FREE on Apple TV, FS1, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360AM, SiriusXM FC 157 | TICKETS).

“There is not any simple video games within the playoffs, and so we’re excited for the problem,” mentioned defender Alex Roldan. “I do know, in years previous, simply our file within the playoffs has been actually good, and so we’re seeking to proceed that and hopefully get previous some powerful opponents.”

Of Seattle’s eight trophies, two of them are MLS Cup titles. This 12 months’s common season has been something however clean crusing, however with the “Sounders By no means Give up” mindset, the staff has taken management of the narrative and are prepared for what’s to return in postseason play.

“We’re going into the playoffs with some confidence and a few motivation to do effectively,” mentioned Roldan.

The hunt for his or her third MLS Cup seems promising.

“We at all times have perception,” mentioned Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “The playoffs are arrange for the perfect of three, after which it turns into single elimination video games. And in these single elimination video games, if we are able to get previous our first opponent, something can occur.”