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

The Seattle Sounders have been relentless since 1974.

The inaugural NASL team laid the groundwork for five decades of sustained success — 50 years of lofty ambitions to match their elevated expectations. Fast forward to today, the Sounders have cemented themselves as one of the most successful teams in North America.

“We've had a high standard throughout the years,” said goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

Since Seattle’s arrival to Major League Soccer in 2009, the team has collected eight major trophies, more than any other North American Topflight Sports League organization in the 21st Century. The NFL’s New England Patriots rank second behind the Rave Green with six trophies from 2001-2019.

“You kind of expect that the Sounders will do okay, or will make the playoffs, or will make a push for a trophy,” said Frei. “But again, that is all earned. Every game, home game, away game, you have to earn your points. You have to win every battle and win every duel.”

In MLS alone, the Sounders have set the standard in almost every major category compared to the other 28 teams. Since 2009, the club ranks first in points (847), wins (241), home wins (150), road wins (91) and playoff wins (24).

The club’s relentless ethos has underpinned much of the team’s success in 2024. The beginning of the year was lackluster, with only one win in their first nine matches. But, the team managed to turn around the season, becoming the second winningest team in MLS in the second half of the campaign with a 12-2-3 record. The Rave Green totaled 39 points during the final 17 matches, just two behind Supporters’ Shield winners, Inter Miami CF.

“It just took a little extra attention to all the details at training, especially in the gym, and then just togetherness as a group and kind of working around a few personnel and tactical changes,” said defender Jackson Ragen. “Everything's paid off in the second half of the year .... I think coaches have been great with a few tweaks, and then ultimately, just guys stepping up and playing well, really.”

The Sounders are looking to carry over this momentum into the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, beginning on Monday night when the Sounders take on the Houston Dynamo in Match One of the Round One, Best-of-3 series (6 p.m. PT; Watch FREE on Apple TV, FS1, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360AM, SiriusXM FC 157 | TICKETS).

“There's no easy games in the playoffs, and so we're excited for the challenge,” said defender Alex Roldan. “I know, in years past, just our record in the playoffs has been really good, and so we're looking to continue that and hopefully get past some tough opponents.”

Of Seattle’s eight trophies, two of them are MLS Cup titles. This year’s regular season has been anything but smooth sailing, but with the “Sounders Never Quit” mindset, the team has taken control of the narrative and are ready for what's to come in postseason play.

“We're going into the playoffs with some confidence and some motivation to do well,” said Roldan.

The quest for their third MLS Cup looks promising.

“We always have belief,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “The playoffs are set up for the best of three, and then it becomes single elimination games. And in those single elimination games, if we can get past our first opponent, anything can happen.”