Seattle Sounders
| Seattle Sounders | |||
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| Basic data | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Surname | Seattle Sounders FC | ||
| Seat | Seattle , Washington , USA | ||
| founding | 1994 | ||
| Colours | green Blue | ||
| owner |
Joe Roth Adrian Hanauer Paul Allen Drew Carey |
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| General manager | Garth Lagerwey | ||
| Website | soundersfc.com | ||
| First soccer team | |||
| Head coach | Brian Schmetzer | ||
| Venue | CenturyLink Field | ||
| Places | 67,000 | ||
| league | Major League Soccer | ||
| 2019 | Western Conference: 2nd place Overall table: 4th place Play-offs: Masters |
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The Seattle Sounders FC , in German-speaking commonly known as Seattle Sounders , is a franchise of professional football - League Major League Soccer (MLS) from Seattle , Washington , that the 2009 season took up the game operation. The team plays their home games at CenturyLink Field , which is also the home of the Seattle Seahawks , the local NFL team.
The club was re-established in 1994 under the same name as the former NASL team.
The men's team played in the USL First Division , the second highest division in North American football , up to and including the 2008 season . The team was continued in the Major League Soccer from the 2009 season . In the 2016 season , the Sounders celebrated their first win of the MLS Cup .
The women's team, the Seattle Sounders Women, continue to play in the W-League , the second highest division in North American women's football.
history
Before the MLS
Between 1974 and 1983 there was a team in the North American Soccer League (NASL) called the Seattle Sounders . In 1977 and 1982 the Sounders reached the Soccer Bowl (final), but were defeated both times against New York Cosmos . The club was dissolved at the end of 1983, and the NASL one year later. The most famous players of the Sounders at that time were Geoff Hurst and Bobby Moore .
In 1994 the Seattle Sounders were re-established, in 1995 and 1996 they became champions of the league, which at that time was still known as the A-League. In 2004, the team reached the championship final for the third time, but lost 2-0 to Montreal Impact . A year later, the final victory succeeded after a victory against the Richmond Kickers on penalties. In the 2007 season , the Sounders could again win the play-offs in the USL First Division . They beat the Atlanta Silverbacks 4-0 in the final.
The path to Major League Soccer (MLS)
Since 2009 the team has been playing in the top division of the USA as an MLS franchise under the name Seattle Sounders FC. President Adrian Hanauer announced in a press conference that 2008 would be the last season for the Sounders in the USL.
The Seattle Sounders are the 15th team to be inducted into the MLS. On November 13, 2007, the team was officially founded after receiving the license to play.
As early as 1994, two years before Major League Soccer started playing, Seattle was among the applicants for the first MLS franchises. One of the main reasons Seattle didn't get an MLS franchise was the lack of a suitable stadium. There was also the requirement of the Major League Soccer that there was a demand of at least 10,000 season tickets. On July 3, 1994, the closing date for the application period for the MLS, only 1,300 cards were available. This was because the Seattle Sounders APSL team also sold tickets at the same time. Thus Seattle was not among the founding members of the league. Five more teams were to join the team later. During this time, Seattle was negotiating with the University of Washington about the use of the Husky Stadium as an interim solution until a football stadium can be built.
When the first Major League Soccer season was postponed to 1996 in November 1994, the MLS announced that Seattle was not a suitable location for the MLS due to the lack of an adequate grass pitch and the presence of the APSL team Seattle Sounders, Seattle.
In 1996, the owner of the Seattle Seahawks , Paul Allen , wanted to build a new stadium for his team. In order to advance his construction project, he also saw the possibility of an MLS franchise in order to gain more support for his stadium plans. So the problem with the missing stadium was solved. In 2000 a new problem arose. From this time on, the MLS no longer financially supported new franchises. So an investor had to be found. In 2002 there was again the opportunity to bring Seattle into the MLS as a new team, because new markets were to be opened up in the United States. But they just lost the contract to Salt Lake City.
Adrian Hanauer, owner of the Seattle Sounders, offered Major League Soccer to invest $ 1 million in a Seattle franchise. In 2006, however, the award went to another city (Houston). Afterwards, Hanauer went in search of more investors for the project to bring Seattle into the MLS.
Seattle gets MLS franchise
In 2007, Hanauer worked with Hollywood producer Joe Roth to finally launch an MLS franchise. Paul Allen, whose First and Goal Company operates Qwest Field, joined the community of owners. In the first week of November 2007 it became clear that the MLS was planning further expansion. Comedian Drew Carey joined the group of owners. At a press conference on November 13, 2007, the Major League Soccer announced Seattle as a new expansion franchise. At the same time it was announced that the USL-1 Team Seattle Sounders will no longer exist if Seattle moves into the MLS.
On April 7th, the new name of the MLS franchise was announced: Seattle Sounders FC. The logo and the team colors were also presented to the public. The name was the result of an online vote.
On May 28, 2008 the team's jersey was presented and the new jersey sponsor was introduced. Microsoft had signed a five-year contract with the franchise. The first trainer was Sigi Schmidt, who had previously won the MLS Cup with the Columbus crew.
First season
The 2009 MLS season was the first season for the Seattle Sounders. All 22,000 season tickets were sold, making the franchise the most tickets in the MLS.
On March 19, 2009, the team played their first game. Opponents were the New York Red Bulls and the stadium was sold out with 32,523 spectators. Seattle won 3-0. The Colombian Fredy Montero scored the first goal for Sounders FC here. The team could also win the next two games. It was the most successful start for a new team in Major League Soccer. With a third place in the Western Conference, Seattle was able to qualify for the play-offs. In the quarterfinals, the team was eliminated against Houston Dynamo.
On September 2, 2009, the Sounders won the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup by beating DC United. By winning the cup, the Sounders took part in the CONCACAF Champions League 2010/11 . Every home game of the Sounders was sold out in the 2009 season, both in the cup (played in the Starfire Sports Complex ), as well as in the regular season and in the play-offs.
2010 - today
Before the Seattle Sounders' second season in the MLS began, the football franchise raised its season ticket offer to 32,000. The Sounders played their first game of the season against MLS newcomer Philadelphia Union, which they won 2-0. Despite that victory, Seattle lost eight times in the first 15 games. The tide turned halfway through the regular season. In the last 15 games 10 wins could be achieved and the team ended up in 4th place in the Western Conference. As in the previous year, every league game was sold out. In the play-offs, the Sounders were eliminated in the Conference semifinals against Los Angeles Galaxy with a total of 3: 1 (1: 0, 2: 1).
On July 31, 2010, the Sounders won the Heritage Cup against San Jose Earthquakes. This tournament has been played since 2009 between teams whose namesake had already played in the North American Soccer League.
Internationally, the club was allowed to take part in the CONCACAF Champions League 2010/11. In the qualifying round, the team won against AD Isidro Metapán with a total of 2: 1 (1: 0, 1: 1). In the group stage, CF Monterrey, Deportivo Saprissa and CD Marathón were the opponents of the Sounders. Of the six games, the team won only once and were eliminated as the bottom of the group. The US Open Cup, however, was more successful. After victories against the Portland Timbers , Los Angeles Galaxy and the CD Chivas USA , the team met the Columbus Crew in the final. The cup success from last year could be repeated with 2: 1. This makes the Seattle Sounders, the first MLS team to defend the US Open Cup directly. With the final, a new attendance record was set for a cup game in the USA. 31,311 people watched the game on October 5, 2010. With the win, the team qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League 2011/12 .
In the 2014 season, the Sounders won their first Major League Soccer title by winning the MLS Supporters' Shield . In the play-offs they reached the semi-finals, but had to admit defeat to the later MLS Cup winner LA Galaxy . They were also successful again in the US Open Cup. In the final against Philadelphia Union , the team achieved their fourth cup victory.
In the 2016 season, the Sounders won Major League Soccer for the first time. In the final they prevailed against Toronto 5-4 on penalties. This success was repeated in 2019. The final in their own stadium was again won against Toronto 3-1 in regular time.
Venue and fans
- CenturyLink Field ; Seattle , Washington (2009–)
The Sounders have been playing at Qwest Field since 2003 . The stadium holds 67,000 spectators and was opened in 2002 under the name Seahawks Stadium. Since that time it has been home to the NFL team Seattle Seahawks . When scheduling collisions, the Sounders avoided the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila . They now play all the games there.
The most important fan club of the Sounders are the “Emerald City Supporters”. The Sounders' arch-rivals are the Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers . The three clubs play the "Cascadia Cup", which the Sounders won in 2006, every year.
Team name and logo
On April 7, 2008, the official team name “Seattle Sounders FC” and the team's logo were released. In a vote to choose a name, the name Seattle Sounders prevailed against the proposals Seattle FC , Seattle Republic , Seattle Alliance .
In the center of the logo is the Space Needle , the symbol of Seattle. The official team colors are Sounder Blue , which stands for the waters of the Puget Sound , and Rave Green , which refers to the vast coniferous forests in the Pacific Northwest .
organization
owner
The ownership rights to the franchise are divided among different investors. The film producer Joe Roth is the club's main investor. Other investors include Adrian Hanauer , current owner of the Seattle Sounders, Drew Carey , comedian and presenter, and Paul Allen , co-founder of Microsoft and owner of the Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trail Blazers .
management
Former soccer player Chris Henderson has been the team's technical director since January 24, 2008.
media
Since March 15, 2014, the Sounders games have been played on the local TV channels Q13 FOX KCPQ or JOEtv KZJO. The team can be followed on national television on NBC, NBC Sports Network, ESPN and Fox Soccer. The games will be moderated and analyzed by former BBc commentator Ross Fletcher and former soccer goalkeeper Kasey Keller .
Youth and development
Tacoma Defiance (USL Championship)
After the dissolution of the MLS Reserve Division and a cooperation agreement between the United Soccer League and the MLS, the Seattle Sounders founded the Seattle Sounders 2 in collaboration with the Sounders Community Trust . The franchise has played in the USL since the 2015 season and primarily functions as a farm team . The home games are played at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Washington . On January 30, 2019, the name was changed to Tacoma Defiance .
Seattle Sounders U-23 (USL League Two)
In 2011, Tacoma FC, which was founded in 2006, was taken over by businessmen Cliff McElroy and Lane Smith. These entered into a partnership with the Seattle Sounders. Since then, the team has acted as a training platform for the first team of the Sounders. The team plays in USL League Two and plays their home games at Sunset Chevrolet Stadium in Sumner, Washington.
Seattle Sounders Academy
The Seattle Sounders youth system is known as the Seattle Sounders Academy. Under the direction of Darren Sawatzky and the experienced youth coach Dick McCormick, the U-18, U-16 and U-14 teams play in the leagues of the US Soccer Development Academy.
Players and staff
Current professional squad
As of September 5, 2018
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Previous players
Coaching staff
As of September 5, 2018
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Brian Schmetzer
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Djimi Traoré (assistant coach) -
Gonzalo Pineda (assistant coach) -
Preki (assistant coach)
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Tom Dutra (goalkeeping coach)
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John Hutchinson (Coach Seattle Sounders 2) -
Chris Henderson (Sports Director)
successes
Seattle Sounders
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MLS Cup
- Winner : 2016 , 2019
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MLS Supporters' Shield
- Winner : 2014
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Lamar Hunt US Open Cup
- Winner (4) : 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014
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MLS Western Conference
- Winner (Regular Season) : 2014
- Cascadia Cup : 2011
- Seattle Sounders Community Shield (2) : 2011, 2012
- Heritage Cup (3) : 2010, 2011, 2013
- Desert Diamond Cup : 2013
- A-League champions 1995, 1996
- Master of the USL First Division 2005, 2007
Seattle Sounders U-23
- USL PDL Northwest Division Champions : 2008, 2012
statistics
Seasonal balance
Seattle Sounders
| season | League level | league | Regular season | Play-offs |
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup |
CONCACAF Champions League |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Sounders | ||||||
| 1994 | 2 | APSL | 1. | Semifinals | not participated | not qualified |
| 1995 | 2 | A-League | 2. | master | Semifinals | not qualified |
| 1996 | 2 | A-League | 3. | master | Quarter finals | not qualified |
| 1997 | 2 | USISL A-League | 2. (Pacific) | Division Finals | not qualified | not qualified |
| 1998 | 2 | USISL A-League | 2. (Pacific) | Conference semifinals | not qualified | not qualified |
| 1999 | 2 | USL A-League | 3. (Pacific) | Conference semifinals | 3rd round | not qualified |
| 2000 | 2 | USL A-League | 1. (Pacific) | Conference semifinals | 2nd round | not qualified |
| 2001 | 2 | USL A-League | 5. (Western) | not qualified | 2nd round | not qualified |
| 2002 | 2 | USL A-League | 1. (Pacific) | Conference semifinals | 3rd round | not qualified |
| 2003 | 2 | USL A-League | 1. (Pacific) | Conference finals | Quarter finals | not qualified |
| 2004 | 2 | USL A-League | 4. (Western) | final | not qualified | not qualified |
| 2005 | 2 | USL First Division | 4th | master | 3rd round | not qualified |
| 2006 | 2 | USL First Division | 7th | not qualified | 3rd round | not qualified |
| 2007 | 2 | USL First Division | 1. | master | Semifinals | not qualified |
| 2008 | 2 | USL First Division | 5. | Quarter finals | Semifinals | not qualified |
| Seattle Sounders FC | ||||||
| 2009 | 1 | MLS | 3rd place (west) | Quarter finals | winner | not qualified |
| 2010 | 1 | MLS | 4th place (west) | Quarter finals | winner | not qualified |
| 2011 | 1 | MLS | 2nd place (west) | Quarter finals | winner | Group stage |
| 2012 | 1 | MLS | 3rd place (west) | Conference finals | final | Quarter finals |
| 2013 | 1 | MLS | 4th place (west) | Conference semifinals | 3rd round | Semifinals |
| 2014 | 1 | MLS | 1st place (west) | Conference finals | winner | not qualified |
| 2015 | 1 | MLS | 4th place (west) | Conference semifinals | 4th round | not qualified |
| 2016 | 1 | MLS | 4th place (west) | winner | Quarter finals | Quarter finals |
- ↑ The competition starts in autumn of the previous year.
Seattle Sounders 2 / Tacoma Defiance
| year | League level | league | Regular season | Play-offs | US Open Cup | Audience average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 3 | USL | 6th place, west | 1 round | 4th round | 2,045 |
| 2016 | 3 | USL | 12th place, west | not qualified | not participated | 1,401 |
| 2017 | 2 | USL | 12th place, west | not qualified | not participated | 1.003 |
| 2018 | 2 | USL | 16th place, west | not qualified | not participated | 3,370 |
Seattle Sounders U-23
| year | League level | league | Regular season | Play-offs | US Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 4th | USL PDL | 5th place, Northwest | not qualified | not qualified |
| 2007 | 4th | USL PDL | 2nd place, Northwest | Conference semifinals | not qualified |
| 2008 | 4th | USL PDL | 1st place, Northwest | Conference finals | not qualified |
| 2009 | 4th | USL PDL | 7th place, Northwest | not qualified | not qualified |
| 2010 | 4th | USL PDL | 3rd place, Northwest | not qualified | not qualified |
| 2011 | 4th | USL PDL | 8th place, Northwest | not qualified | not qualified |
| 2012 | 4th | USL PDL | 1st place, Northwest | Semifinals | not qualified |
| 2013 | 4th | USL PDL | 4th place, Northwest | not qualified | 2nd round |
| 2014 | 4th | USL PDL | 5th place, Northwest | not qualified | not qualified |
| 2015 | 4th | USL PDL | 3rd place, Northwest | Semifinals | not qualified |
| 2015 | 4th | USL PDL | 3rd place, Northwest | Semifinals | not qualified |
| 2016 | 4th | USL PDL | 2nd place, Northwest | Play-off qualification | 2nd round |
Club records
- Most games: Kasey Keller (58)
- Most minutes played: Kasey Keller (5,114)
- Most Goals: Fredy Montero (22)
- Assists: Fredy Montero (17)
- Shots on goal: Fredy Montero (177)
- Yellow cards: Fredy Montero , Tyrone Marshall (10)
- Red cards: James Riley , Tyrone Marshall (2)
Visitor average
Regular season / play-offs
- 2009: 31.203 / 35.807
- 2010: 36.173 / 35.521
- 2011: 38.496 / 36.021
Women's soccer
In 2000, the Sounders formed a women's team that plays in the W-League . In 2006 a club of the Pacific Coast League joined the Sounders. The team now competes under the name Seattle Sounders Saints .
In 2011 Mike Jennings took over the franchise. But he sold the majority stake to Cliff McElroy & Lane Smith of Datec Inc. The team has been playing under the name Seattle Sounders Women since then. The home games are played at the Starfire Sports Stadium .
Web links
- Official website (English)
- Official Website Sounders U-23 (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Seattle Misses First Mls Cut - But Bid Isn't Dead June 15, 1994 at community.seattletimes.nwsource.com
- ↑ Key Need For Soccer: A Stadium February 4, 1994 at community.seattletimes.nwsource.com
- ↑ Soccer Ticket Pledges Exceed 1,300 June 3, 1994 at community.seattletimes.nwsource.com
- ↑ Sigi Schmid becomes Sounders FC's first coach December 16, 2008 on seattletimes.nwsource.com
- ^ Greg Johns: Sounders explain why season tickets capped at 32,000 . In: Seattle Post-Intelligencer , January 27, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
- ↑ Joshua Mayers: Sounders FC release Chivas USA preview & broadcast info . In: The Seattle Times , October 14, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
- ↑ Steven Goff: Nyassi is nice: Seattle Sounders defeat Columbus Crew, 2-1, to repeat as US Open Cup champions . In: The Washington Post , October 6, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
- ↑ Seattle claims first berth in 2011-2012 CCL . In: CONCACAF Web Site . October 5, 2010. Archived from the original on October 9, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
- ^ Seattle Hires Henderson as Technical Director . Sounders FC. January 24, 2008. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
- ↑ Seattle Sounders FC - Players. Retrieved September 5, 2018 .
- ↑ Seattle Sounders FC - Coaches. Retrieved September 5, 2018 .
- ↑ a b c d e MLS Factbook 2012. (PDF; 1.2 MB) MLSsoccer.com, archived from the original on December 24, 2012 ; accessed on July 28, 2012 (English).
- ↑ TheCup.us - game details for the competitions. Retrieved July 28, 2012 (English).
- ↑ rsssf.com - game details for the competitions. Retrieved July 28, 2012 (English).
Eastern Conference: Atlanta United | Chicago Fire | FC Cincinnati | Columbus Crew | DC United | Inter Miami | Montreal Impact | New England Revolution | New York City FC | New York Red Bulls | Orlando City | Philadelphia Union | Toronto FC
Western Conference: Colorado Rapids | FC Dallas | Houston Dynamo | LA Galaxy | Los Angeles FC | Minnesota United | Nashville SC | Portland Timbers | Real Salt Lake | San Jose Earthquakes | Seattle Sounders | Sporting Kansas City | Vancouver Whitecaps
Future Franchises: Austin FC (2021) | Charlotte (2022) | Sacramento Republic (2023) | St. Louis City (2023)
Former franchises: CD Chivas USA (2005–2014) | Miami Fusion (1998-2001) | Tampa Bay Mutiny (1996-2001)
Eastern Conference: Atlanta United 2 | Birmingham Legion FC | Charleston Battery | Charlotte Independence | Hartford Athletic | Indy Eleven | Loudoun United | Louisville City | Memphis 901 FC | Miami FC | New York Red Bulls II | North Carolina FC | Philadelphia Union II | Pittsburgh Riverhounds | Saint Louis FC | Sporting Kansas City II | Tampa Bay rowdies
Western Conference: Austin Bold | Colorado Springs Switchbacks | El Paso Locomotive | LA Galaxy II | Las Vegas Lights | New Mexico United | Oklahoma City Energy | Orange County SC | Phoenix Rising | Portland Timbers 2 | Real Monarchs | Reno 1868 FC | Rio Grande Valley Toros | Sacramento Republic | San Antonio FC | San Diego Loyal | Tacoma Defiance | Tulsa FC
Future Franchises: Oakland East Bay (2021) | Queensboro SC (2021) | Rhode Island (2022)
Former Franchises: Antigua Barracuda (2011–2013) | Austin Aztex (2011-2017) | Charlotte Eagles (2011-2014) | FC Cincinnati (2015-2018) | Dayton Dutch Lions (2011-2014) | FC Montréal (2015-2016) | FC New York (2011) | Orlando City (2011-2014) | Ottawa Fury (2017-2019) | Penn FC (2011-2018) | Phoenix FC (2013) | Puerto Rico United (2011) | River Plate Puerto Rico (2011) | Richmond Kickers (2011-2018) | Rochester Rhinos (2011-2017) | Toronto FC II (2011-2018) | Sevilla FC Puerto Rico (2011) | Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (2015-2017) | Tampa Bay FC (2013) | Wilmington Hammerheads (2011-2016)