Who Are Seattle Sounders? History, Stat & More
Seattle Sounders FC took the professional soccer world by storm since its establishment in 2007. The team, based in Seattle, joined Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2009 as an expansion team and has since emerged as one of the most successful clubs in the league.
With four MLS Cup championships (2016, 2019, 2020, 2021), two Supporters’ Shields (2014, 2019), and one U.S. Open Cup (2014) under their belt. Their success on the field is matched by the passion of their fan base owing to the powerhouse image that they have successfully garnered, being fondly known as the “Seattle Sounders FC Alliance.”
Playing their home games at Lumen Field, the Sounders have built a winning culture that has earned them respect and admiration from fans across the league. The team’s commitment to excellence and their unwavering support from their loyal fan base make them a team to watch in the years to come.
HISTORY OF Seattle Sounders FC: Founded in 2009
Seattle Sounders FC is a renowned professional soccer team in the United States, but not many people know the arduous journey the team had to take before becoming a household name. Seattle was always considered a viable location for a professional team.
However, the inaugural season was particularly difficult for the Sounders as the low ticket sale history and the absence of a soccer-only stadium and low ticket sales stopped them from establishing a team during the inaugural MLS season.
The team’s debut in 2009 was nothing short of impressive, winning the U.S. Open Cup in their first season and the MLS Cup in their second season. The Sounders quickly became one of the most successful and popular franchises in MLS history, thanks in part to the city’s unwavering support for their team.
Seattle’s journey to establishing an MLS team was not without its challenges. However, Seattle’s determination to establish an MLS team, coupled with the unwavering support of their fans, eventually led to the birth of the Seattle Sounders FC. Today, the team is a testament to the resilience and perseverance of the city and its people.
Who was the founder of Seattle Sounders FC?
Seattle Sounders FC’s majority owner is Adrian Hanauer, a businessman from Seattle whose family owned the Pacific Coast Feather Company, a company that specializes in down pillows and high-end bedding products. Hanauer worked in the family business from the age of 13 but later founded Museum Quality Framing, a chain of custom frame stores that operates in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
He also owned Mad Pizza, a pizza chain. Hanauer made a significant profit from his investments in Amazon and aQuantive, an online-based advertising company, which was purchased by Microsoft in 2007.
Hanauer is accompanied by quite a few minority owners of Seattle Sounders FC. The list includes the estate of Paul Allen (co-founder of Microsoft and an important force behind shaping the MLS’s journey to Seattle), Drew Carey, and 14 local families.
Carey, a comedian, and actor is a well-known fan of soccer and was a key figure in helping to bring the Sounders to the city. The involvement of local families in the ownership structure highlights the deep roots of soccer in the Seattle area.
Current President of Seattle Sounders FC; Who is Peter Tomozawa?
Seattle Sounders FC, one of the top football clubs in the United States, has announced that its President of Business Operations, Peter Tomozawa, will be transitioning to a new role as Chief Executive Officer of Seattle 2026. Seattle 2026 is the local organizing committee responsible for getting the city ready to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026, which is set to be the biggest sporting event in the world.
Stadium of Seattle Sounders FC: Lumens Field
Seattle Sounders FC at the moment recognizes Lumen Field as their official home match ground in Seattle, since its inception in 2009. Interestingly, Lumen Field is shared as the home field for the Seattle Seahawks football team, and the two teams share the stadium with a 30-year-old lease for the Seahawks.
The late Paul Allen, one of the former Sounders owners in the minority, owned the Seahawks, thereby allowing the Sounders to not pay rent for the use of the field. In 2015 First & Goal Inc. and the Sounders announced an extension of their lease, allowing the Sounders a using-right on Lumen Field until 2028. In 2022, the field got itself a revamped name as the “Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field“.
Lumen Field has a seating capacity of 69,000 and is a multi-purpose facility that was designed to accommodate both football and soccer games. The club hosts international friendly matches and some league matches otherwise reducing the capacity for MLS.
The high initial demand for tickets in contrast to the projected 12,000 attendants per game initially, led to capacity being increased several times leading to an attendance of 69,274, which is a record for any sporting event held at the stadium to the delight.
The Sounders’ training facilities, one smaller than the Lumen Field are located at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, a nearby suburb of Seattle. It has been used to host U.S. Open Cup matches along with a new facility at Longacres already in the planning stage.
Lumen Field currently has a FieldTurf surface, but natural grass has been temporarily installed in the past for international soccer events leaving space for any future changes that might be needed.
Q: What is the name of Seattle Sounders FC’s stadium?
Ans: Lumens Field is the home stadium of Seattle Sounders FC.
Fans and Culture of Seattle Sounders FC
The Seattle Sounders FC is a team that takes its fans seriously, and nowhere is that more evident than in the creation of the Sounders FC Alliance. To become a member of the Alliance, fans must either be a season ticket holder or pay a fee, which grants them voting privileges.
In addition to the Alliance, the Sounders have also made strides to create a truly unique fan experience. Carey requested the creation of a marching band for the team, which led to the formation of the Sound Wave.
Made up of 53 brass and marching percussion musicians, the Sound Wave sits on the north end of Lumen Field and plays music from a variety of genres, including Latin, rock, and pop also accompanying the Sounders in a pre-game ritual- ‘March to the Match’.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC KEY INDIVIDUALS
NOTABLE PLAYERS IN THE HISTORY OF Seattle Sounders FC
One of the most prominent names associated with the club is Fredy Montero, who played for the Sounders from 2009 to 2012 and again in 2020. Montero is the Sounders’ all-time leading scorer with 60 goals and 43 assists. Other notable players include Clint Dempsey, who played for the Sounders from 2013 to 2018 and helped lead the team to its first MLS Cup championship in 2016, and Osvaldo Alonso, who played for the Sounders from 2009 to 2018 and was a six-time team MVP.
The Sounders FC Alliance was established at the request of minority owner Drew Carey and allows members to vote on important team decisions, including the removal of the general manager.
The Sounders also have several recognized independent supporter groups, including the Emerald City Supporters and Gorilla FC, who bring a passionate and lively atmosphere to Lumen Field during home games.
Best Manager in the history of Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC, one of the most successful Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs, has been led by some remarkable managers throughout its history. However, one name that stands out as the best manager in the club’s history is Sigi Schmid.
Schmid, who passed away in 2018, is widely regarded as one of the most successful coaches in American soccer history. He led the Sounders to their first-ever MLS Cup in 2016, following two Supporters’ Shield trophies and four US Open Cup titles. During his seven years with the Sounders, Schmid amassed an impressive record of 115 wins, 69 losses, and 70 draws, making him the winningest coach in the club’s history.
Schmid’s tenure at Seattle Sounders FC was marked by his ability to build successful teams, develop young players, and foster a winning culture. His tactical acumen and ability to motivate players were second to none, and he played a pivotal role in transforming the Sounders from an expansion team to a championship-winning franchise.
Schmid’s legacy continues to inspire the club and its fans, and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest managers in Seattle Sounders FC history.
Q: Who is the president of Seattle Sounders FC?
Ans. Peter Tomozawa currently serves the role of president for Seattle Sounders FC.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC RECORD BREAKERS
All-Time Top Scorers of Seattle Sounders FC
Freddie Montero, a Colombian striker, made a sensational start to his career with Seattle Sounders FC in the 2009 MLS season. He was signed on loan from Deportivo Cali despite interest from Real Betis, a European club.
Montero made an instant impact with the Sounders, scoring nine goals in nine preseason games. He marked his MLS debut in the 2009 season opener against New York Red Bulls by scoring the first and third goals in Seattle Sounders FC’s history.
He was named the MLS Player of the Week for the first week of the season for his two-goal performance. Montero continued his fantastic form, adding another goal against Real Salt Lake, which helped him clinch the MLS Player of the Month award for March 2009, as he won the first two Goals of the Week.
| NAME OF THE PLAYER | NUMBER OF GOALS SCORED |
| Fredy Montero | 76 |
| Raul Ruidiaz | 73 |
| Clint Dempsey | 57 |
| Nicolas Lodeiro | 56 |
| Jordan Morris | 54 |
Q: Who is the all-time highest goal scorer of Seattle Sounders FC?
Ans: Fredy Montero has scored the highest goals in the history of Nashville FC.
All-Time top assist providers of Seattle Sounders FC
Uruguayan midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro joined Seattle Sounders FC in the summer of 2016 amid widespread rumors about his transfer to the club. Lodeiro was instrumental in the Sounders’ MLS Cup run in 2016, scoring four goals and providing eight assists in the regular season to help Seattle qualify for the playoffs.
He added four more goals in six playoff games, leading the team to the championship. His ability to create and make others around him better played a vital role in turning the Sounders’ season around. As a result, he was named the 2016 MLS Newcomer of the Year.
| NAME OF THE PLAYER | NUMBER OF ASSISTS |
| Nicolas Lodeiro | 57 |
| Cristian Roldan | 43 |
| Fredy Montero | 38 |
| Mauro Rosales | 31 |
| Jordan Morris | 26 |
Q: Who is the all-time assist provider for Seattle Sounders FC?
Ans: Nicolas Lodeiro has provided the most assists for Seattle Sounders FC
Most all-time appearances for Seattle Sounders FC
Osvaldo Alonso is a name that carries weight in the Seattle Sounders FC community. The Cuban midfielder made a name for himself after signing with the team in 2008, quickly becoming a regular starter at defensive midfield. In his first year, he made an immediate impact by starting 28 of 29 appearances in the regular season and playoffs.
Alonso’s exceptional midfield play and leadership did not go unnoticed, as he was named to the MLS Best XI in 2012, MLS All-Star for two straight seasons, and voted team MVP for three consecutive years. He was a key player in the Sounders’ 2016 MLS Cup win, despite battling injuries in the playoffs.
| NAME OF THE PLAYER | NUMBER OF APPEARANCES |
| Osvaldo Alonso | 339 |
| Stefan Frei | 317 |
| Cristian Roldan | 281 |
| Brad Evans | 247 |
| Fredy Montero | 229 |
Q: When did Seattle Sounders FC start playing in the MLS?
Ans: Seattle Sounders FC was founded in 2007 and started playing in the MLS in 2009.
MOST EXPENSIVE TRANSFERS IN THE HISTORY OF Seattle Sounders FC
| NAME | CLUB FROM | CLUB TO | TRANSFER AMOUNT |
| Clint Dempsey | Tottenham | Seattle Sounders FC | $8.18m |
| Raul Ruidiaz | Monarcas Morelia | Seattle Sounders FC | $6.36m |
| Nicolas Lodeiro | Boca Juniors | Seattle Sounders FC | $5.45m |
| Obafemi Martins | Levante | Seattle Sounders FC | $3.64m |
| Leo Chu | Gremio | Seattle Sounders FC | $2.50m |
Q: When did Seattle Clint Dempsey debut for Seattle Sounders FC?
Ans: Clint Dempsey made his league debut for Seattle on August 10, 2013, against Toronto FC.
CONCLUSION: Overview of Seattle Sounders FC legacy
The Seattle Sounders FC in a successful journey has won numerous titles, including four US Open Cups, two MLS Cups, and one Supporters’ Shield. The team has been consistently competitive since its inception in 2009, with a passionate fan base that has helped establish the Sounders as a top-tier team in Major League Soccer.
With star players like Fredy Montero, Clint Dempsey, and Nicolas Lodeiro, the Sounders have a rich history of success on the field. They have also been led by exceptional coaches such as Sigi Schmid and Brian Schmetzer. The team’s success has helped establish Seattle as a true soccer city, with a culture and atmosphere that is unmatched in the United States.
