History of Seattle Sounders FC in Timeline

Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club competing in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference. Established on November 13, 2007, they began play in 2009 as an expansion team. The Sounders carry the same name as previous Seattle soccer franchises, including the original North American Soccer League (NASL) team from 1974-1983 and a second-division team that played from 1994-2008. They are considered a phoenix club, representing a continuation of Seattle's soccer history.

1937: U.S. Open Cup Final Appearance

In 2012, Seattle reached the U.S. Open Cup Final for the fourth consecutive year, becoming the first team to do so since 1937.

January 22, 1974: Sounders Name Announced

On January 22, 1974, "Sounders" was announced as the winner of a public contest to name the NASL team.

1974: Adoption of "Salute to the Olympians" fight song

In 1974, the NASL Sounders adopted "Salute to the Olympians" by Henry Mancini as their fight song, which was later used by the USL Sounders.

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1974: Reference to 1974 Logo

The new logo unveiled on September 26, 2023, references the 1974 logo and it's wordmark.

1983: Last Team to Repeat as U.S. Open Cup Champions

The Seattle Sounders became the first team since 1983 to repeat as U.S. Open Cup champions on October 5, 2010.

1983: Dissolution of NASL Team

The announcement on November 13, 2007, marked the return of top-level soccer to Seattle for the first time since the dissolution of its North American Soccer League (NASL) team in 1983.

June 3, 1994: MLS Team Bid Deadline

By the June 3, 1994, deadline for MLS team bids, Seattle's soccer organizers had secured fewer than 1,500 assurances from fans for season tickets.

June 14, 1994: Seattle Not Included in First Round of MLS Teams

On June 14, 1994, Seattle was not included among the first seven cities to be awarded an MLS team.

November 1994: MLS Season Postponed, Seattle's Bid Thwarted

In November 1994, the start of the first MLS season was postponed until 1996. It was also noted that the absence of an "adequate grass-field facility" in the area and the presence of the new APSL Seattle Sounders team had thwarted Seattle's MLS bid.

1996: Stadium Effort and MLS Potential

In 1996, Paul Allen worked with the city to build a new football stadium for his team, and the potential of an MLS expansion team as a co-tenant helped drive public support.

1996: First MLS Season Postponed

In November 1994, the start of the first MLS season was postponed until 1996.

2000: Shift to Investor-Operated Teams

By 2000, MLS was moving away from league-operated teams to investor-operated teams, requiring wealthy individuals to step forward for Seattle to obtain an MLS expansion team.

2000: Licensing agreement with Seattle Sounders Women

From 2000 until 2020, the Sounders had a licensing agreement with an amateur women's team, Seattle Sounders Women, that first played at Memorial Stadium.

2003: Seattle Listed as MLS Expansion Possibility

In 2003, Seattle was again listed as a possibility for an MLS expansion team when the league announced plans to expand into new markets.

2004: Seattle "Very Close" to Expansion Team

In 2004, MLS commissioner Don Garber indicated that Seattle had been "very close" to receiving the expansion team ultimately awarded to Salt Lake.

2004: Creation of Cascadia Cup

In 2004, the fan-based Cascadia Cup was created to formalize the competition between the Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver USL teams.

2005: Formation of Emerald City Supporters

In 2005, the Emerald City Supporters (ECS) formed to support the USL Sounders.

2006: Seattle Sounders Women sold

In 2006, Seattle Sounders Women was sold to the Tacoma Tides ownership group, but retained the Sounders name.

2006: Seattle Passed Over Again for Expansion Team

When Seattle was passed over again in 2006, Adrian Hanauer announced he would not be able to secure an expansion team without more investors.

November 13, 2007: Seattle Awarded MLS Expansion Team

On November 13, 2007, Seattle was awarded a Major League Soccer expansion team. The team would be owned by Adrian Hanauer, Joe Roth, Paul Allen, and Drew Carey, marking the return of top-level soccer to Seattle since 1983.

2007: Joe Roth becomes majority owner

In 2007, Joe Roth became the majority owner of the Seattle Sounders FC.

April 7, 2008: Team Name and Logo Announced

On April 7, 2008, "Seattle Sounders FC" was announced as the team name, along with the team logo, colors, and badge design, at the Space Needle. All 22,000 season ticket packages were sold.

May 28, 2008: First Sounders Jersey and Microsoft Sponsorship Announced

On May 28, 2008, the team's ownership revealed the first Sounders jersey and announced Microsoft as the team's sponsor in a five-year deal worth approximately $20 million. Xbox branding appeared on the front of the Sounders' jerseys.

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December 16, 2008: Sigi Schmid Introduced as Head Coach

On December 16, 2008, Sigi Schmid was introduced as the club's first head coach.

2008: Move to Starfire Sports Complex

From 2008 the team's training facilities and offices were located at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila.

2008: Tom Dutra hired as goalkeeper coach

In 2008, Tom Dutra was hired as the club's goalkeeper coach.

2008: Team Name Selection Controversy

In 2008, fans chose a name for the team in an online poll between March 27 and 31. The initial list did not include Seattle Sounders, causing backlash in the Seattle community. The official team colors are Sounder Blue, Rave Green, and Cascade Shale.

January 24, 2009: Chris Henderson hired as Technical Director

On January 24, 2009, Chris Henderson was hired as the club's Technical Director.

March 19, 2009: Inaugural Match Victory

On March 19, 2009, the Seattle Sounders played their inaugural match, winning 3–0 against the New York Red Bulls.

August 5, 2009: Attendance Record Set at Friendly Match

On August 5, 2009, the club set a state record for attendance at a soccer match when 66,848 attended a friendly match with FC Barcelona.

September 2, 2009: U.S. Open Cup Victory

On September 2, 2009, the Sounders became the second MLS expansion team in league history to win the U.S. Open Cup, defeating D.C. United 2–1.

October 17, 2009: Playoff Berth Clinched

On October 17, 2009, the Sounders became the third MLS expansion team in league history to qualify for the playoffs in its first season.

2009: Matches Aired on KING-TV and KONG

From 2009 to 2013, Seattle Sounders matches aired on KING-TV and KONG.

2009: "The Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field" Name

From 2009 to 2018, the field was called "The Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field" as part of the sponsorship deal with Microsoft.

2009: Inaugural season announcers

In 2009, Kevin Calabro and Greg Vanney called the play-by-play for the local broadcasts during the Sounders' inaugural season.

2009: Seattle Sounders FC recognized as Professional Sports Team of the Year

In 2009, Seattle Sounders FC was recognized as the Professional Sports Team of the Year by SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily.

2009: Sounders enter MLS

In 2009, after the Sounders entered MLS, the Cascadia Cup was contested without Seattle for two seasons.

2009: Inauguration of Heritage Cup competition

In 2009, the fan-created Heritage Cup competition with the San Jose Earthquakes began in the MLS season.

October 5, 2010: U.S. Open Cup Victory

On October 5, 2010, Seattle won the U.S. Open Cup final, 2–1, becoming the first team since 1983 to repeat as U.S. Open Cup champions.

October 10, 2010: Playoff Berth Clinched for Second Consecutive Year

On October 10, 2010, the Seattle Sounders clinched a playoff berth for the second consecutive year with a 2–1 win at Kansas City.

2010: Qualified for CONCACAF Champions League

By winning the U.S. Open Cup tournament on September 2, 2009, the Sounders qualified for the preliminary round of the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League.

2010: Arlo White replaces Calabro and Vanney

For the 2010 season, Arlo White replaced Kevin Calabro and Greg Vanney. He called English-language broadcasts without a partner.

2010: Establishment of Eastside Supporters

In 2010, the Eastside Supporters were established to recognize fans from the Eastside region.

2010: Academy team established

In 2010, the Sounders established their affiliated academy team and hired Dick McCormick and Darren Sawatzky to develop local players.

April 22, 2011: Steve Zakuani Suffers Broken Leg

On April 22, 2011, Steve Zakuani suffered a broken leg in a match against the Colorado Rapids, ending his season.

August 23, 2011: Win in Mexico

On August 23, 2011, in the 2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League, Seattle became only the second MLS team in history to win a competitive match in Mexico, defeating C.F. Monterrey 1–0.

October 4, 2011: Third Consecutive U.S. Open Cup Win

On October 4, 2011, Seattle won its third consecutive U.S. Open Cup, becoming the first club to do so in 42 years, defeating the Chicago Fire 2–0.

October 15, 2011: Sendoff for Kasey Keller

On October 15, 2011, the Seattle Sounders hosted the third-largest crowd ever for a single MLS match, with 64,140 people attending the final regular season home match against the San Jose Earthquakes. The match was billed as a sendoff for goalkeeper Kasey Keller.

2011: Arlo White returns

In 2011, Arlo White continued to call English-language broadcasts without a partner.

2011: Portland and Vancouver join MLS

In 2011, Portland and Vancouver were awarded expansion teams and began play in MLS, re-establishing the Cascadia Cup rivalry.

2011: Sounders field a beach soccer team

In 2011, a beach soccer team, also named the Sounders, was fielded for the Mundialito de Clubes.

2011: Retirement of Kasey Keller and full stadium attendance

In 2011, the final home match of the season, which also marked the retirement of goalkeeper Kasey Keller, drew 64,140 spectators, opening Lumen Field to full capacity for the first time for a Sounders regular season match.

2011: Return to Champions League

Seattle's U.S. Open Cup victory on October 5, 2010, ensured their return to the Champions League in 2011.

January 2012: Partnership with Tacoma Tide

In January 2012, the Sounders announced a partnership for the Tacoma Tide, an amateur team in the USL Premier Development League, to rebrand as Seattle Sounders FC U-23 and appoint Darren Sawatzky as head coach.

2012: White hired by NBC, Fletcher becomes commentator

In 2012, Arlo White was hired by NBC Sports Network. Ross Fletcher became the club's television and radio play-by-play commentator.

2012: Gary Wright named Seattle Sports Star Executive of the Year

In 2012, Gary Wright was named Seattle Sports Star Executive of the Year.

2012: 2012 Season Performance

In 2012, Seattle had a mixed season, starting with five straight wins but then enduring a nine-match winless streak. They reached the U.S. Open Cup Final for the fourth consecutive year but lost in a penalty shootout. They advanced to the Champions League knockout round but ultimately ended the season without a major trophy and failed to qualify for the 2013–14 CONCACAF Champions League. Eddie Johnson was named Comeback Player of the Year.

2012: Taylor Graham hired as Vice President of Business Operations

In 2012, Taylor Graham was hired as the club's Vice President of Business Operations.

2012: Sounders continue beach soccer team

In 2012, a beach soccer team, also named the Sounders, was fielded for the Mundialito de Clubes.

2012: Updated FieldTurf surface installed

In 2012, an updated FieldTurf surface was installed at Lumen Field and certified by FIFA with a 2-star quality rating, the highest possible rating.

2012: Exploration of other jersey partnerships

In 2012, the Microsoft sponsorship was repeatedly extended after exploring other jersey partnerships.

2012: Attendance Record

In 2012, the Sounders continued to break the MLS average attendance record with an average of 43,144.

2012: Champions League Performance

In 2013, the Sounders began the season with the knockout round of the 2012–13 Champions League, eliminating Tigres UANL before losing in the semifinal to Santos Laguna. They continued their streak of setting a new MLS average attendance record, reaching 44,038 in 2013.

2012: First vote on retaining or replacing general manager Adrian Hanauer

In late 2012, the first vote was held on retaining or replacing Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer, resulting in Hanauer being retained by the Alliance after 13,775 votes were registered.

August 2013: Clint Dempsey Signing

In August 2013, the Sounders completed the signing of U.S. national team captain Clint Dempsey from Tottenham Hotspur for $9 million, the largest transfer deal in the league's history, with a record salary of $32 million over four years.

August 25, 2013: High Attendance Match

On August 25, 2013, the home match against the Portland Timbers drew a crowd of 67,385, the second-largest standalone attendance in league history.

2013: Player Signings and Departure

During the 2013 preseason, the Sounders signed DeAndre Yedlin, Djimi Traoré, and Obafemi Martins. Fredy Montero left on loan and was later sold permanently in 2014.

2013: Roster Changes

Following a disappointing 2013 season, the Sounders replaced goalkeeper Michael Gspurning with Stefan Frei. Several veteran players left, and Brad Evans was named club captain. Marco Pappa was added to the team, and DeAndre Yedlin was loaned back to Seattle after being transferred to Tottenham Hotspur.

2013: End of KING-TV and KONG Aired Matches

From 2009 to 2013, Seattle Sounders matches aired on KING-TV and KONG.

2013: Champions League Qualification Failure

In 2012, the team failed to qualify for the 2013–14 CONCACAF Champions League.

2013: Microsoft sponsorship extended for 2014 season

In 2013, the Microsoft sponsorship was repeatedly extended.

October 25, 2014: Supporters' Shield Win

On October 25, 2014, the final game of the 2014 regular season, the Sounders defeated the LA Galaxy 2–0 to secure and win their first Supporters' Shield.

2014: Sunset Inspiration

A colorful sunset during a 2014 match against the Portland Timbers inspired a future jersey design.

2014: Marshall Joins

Defender Chad Marshall, who had joined in 2014, announced his retirement from professional soccer on May 22, 2019.

2014: Fox acquires Television Rights

From 2014 to 2022, television rights in English for regionally-broadcast matches were held by Fox owned-and-operated station KCPQ and sister station KZJO within the Seattle market.

2014: Montero Sold Permanently

In 2014, Fredy Montero, who had been on loan, was sold permanently to Sporting CP.

2014: Microsoft sponsorship extended

In 2014, the Microsoft sponsorship was repeatedly extended, lasting through the end of the 2016 season.

2014: Supporters' Shield Victory

In 2014, the Seattle Sounders won the Supporters' Shield.

2014: Sounders announce reserve team

In 2014, the Sounders organization announced the creation of a second-division reserve team in the United Soccer League. The team would be managed by the Sounders and partially owned by a fan-owned group.

2014: Season Successes

In 2015, Seattle was unable to repeat their successes in the 2014 season.

2014: Sounders become fully independent business operation

On April 30, 2014, the Seattle Sounders became a fully independent business operation, ending the resource-sharing arrangement with the Seattle Seahawks.

January 2015: Garth Lagerwey hired as General Manager

In January 2015, Garth Lagerwey was hired as the club's general manager and President of Soccer.

January 2015: Garth Lagerwey Hired

In January 2015, Garth Lagerwey was hired by the club as general manager, replacing Adrian Hanauer.

August 2015: New Player Signings

By late August 2015, with Martins recovered, the team secured a playoff spot after an eight-match unbeaten streak, finishing fourth in the Western Conference. Paraguayan international Nelson Haedo Valdez, Andreas Ivanschitz and Román Torres were signed, and Erik Friberg returned to the club.

November 2015: Hanauer Made Majority Owner

In November 2015, Adrian Hanauer became the majority owner of the club, succeeding Joe Roth. The club also set a new attendance record during the 2015 season, with an average of 44,247.

2015: Forbes ranks Sounders as most valuable franchise in MLS

A 2015 study by Forbes ranked the Sounders as the most valuable franchise in MLS, with annual revenues of $50 million and an operating income of $10 million, valuing the franchise at $245 million.

2015: Fletcher leaves, Costigan replaces

At the end of the 2015 season, Ross Fletcher left the club and was replaced by Keith Costigan.

2015: Adrian Hanauer becomes majority owner

In 2015, Joe Roth ceded the role of majority owner to Adrian Hanauer.

2015: S2 begins play

In 2015, Seattle Sounders FC 2 (S2) began play at the Starfire Sports Complex, under the management of Ezra Hendrickson.

2015: Lease Extension with First & Goal Inc.

In 2015, the team announced an extension of their lease with First & Goal Inc. for use of Lumen Field that would remain through the 2028 season.

July 2016: Brian Schmetzer Appointed Head Coach

In July 2016, Brian Schmetzer took over as head coach of the Seattle Sounders following the departure of Sigi Schmid.

July 2016: Brian Schmetzer promoted to interim head coach

In July 2016, Brian Schmetzer was promoted to interim head coach after Sigi Schmid parted ways with the club.

November 2016: Brian Schmetzer named permanent head coach

In November 2016, Brian Schmetzer was made the permanent head coach of the Sounders.

December 10, 2016: MLS Cup Win

On December 10, 2016, the Sounders defeated Toronto FC in a penalty shootout to win MLS Cup 2016, their first MLS championship. The season was considered a "cinderella season".

2016: Coaching and Player Changes

During the first half of the 2016 season, the Sounders struggled. Following a loss on July 24, Schmid left the club and was replaced by Brian Schmetzer. Nicolás Lodeiro was signed, and Álvaro Fernández returned. Clint Dempsey stopped playing in August due to an irregular heartbeat, but the Sounders qualified for the playoffs, and Schmetzer was named head coach.

2016: Microsoft sponsorship extended

In 2016, the Microsoft sponsorship was repeatedly extended. The jersey has been modified several times to include promotions for Xbox games, including Halo 5 and Gears of War 4.

2016: MLS Cup Victory

In 2016, the Seattle Sounders won the MLS Cup.

2016: New turf surface installed

In early 2016, a new turf surface, based on the Revolution 360 brand developed by FieldTurf, was installed as part of the extended lease agreement at Lumen Field, due to noticeable wear on the former surface.

2016: Martins Leaves the Club

Prior to the 2016 season, Obafemi Martins left the club to sign with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C. Jordan Morris was signed and Marco Pappa and Lamar Neagle were traded.

2017: Sigi Schmid becomes Galaxy head coach

In 2017, Sigi Schmid became the head coach of the Los Angeles Galaxy, shortly after his departure from the Sounders.

2017: Throwback Kit Introduction

In 2017, a throwback kit was introduced as a secondary jersey featuring the NASL Sounders logo and a design inspired by white jerseys used by pre-MLS incarnations of the team.

2017: S2 move to Tacoma

In 2017, the Sounders announced that S2 would move to Cheney Stadium in Tacoma. Business operations were transferred to the Tacoma Rainiers baseball club.

2017: Contracted WME-IMG to explore new sponsorships

In 2017, the Sounders contracted talent firm WME-IMG to explore new jersey sponsorship and other advertising opportunities, shortly before the expiration of the Microsoft contract.

October 15, 2018: Death of Paul Allen

Minority owner Paul Allen died from complications related to non-Hodgkin lymphoma on October 15, 2018, leaving his stake in the Sounders to his sister Jody Allen.

2018: "The Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field" Name

From 2009 to 2018, the field was called "The Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field" as part of the sponsorship deal with Microsoft.

2018: Raúl Ruidíaz Joins Sounders

In 2018, Raúl Ruidíaz joined the Seattle Sounders.

2018: Consideration of T-Mobile Park for Champions League Match

In 2018, T-Mobile Park (formerly Safeco Field) was considered as an alternate venue for a potential 2018 CONCACAF Champions League match due to a scheduling conflict at Lumen Field.

2018: Streaming deal with YouTube TV

In 2018, the team renewed its agreements with KCPQ and KZJO and announced a new streaming deal with YouTube TV for exclusive rights to stream the team's matches within Washington state.

2018: 2018 Season Performance

Seattle's 2018 season included a run to the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals and a poor start due to injuries, including Jordan Morris's ACL injury. The signing of Raúl Ruidíaz led to a long unbeaten streak and a playoff position.

2018: Sigi Schmid's tenure as Galaxy head coach

Sigi Schmid served as the Galaxy's head coach until 2018.

January 17, 2019: Zulily Named Jersey Sponsor

On January 17, 2019, the team announced that Seattle-based online retailer Zulily would become the jersey sponsor in a multiyear jersey deal.

2019: S2 Renamed Tacoma Defiance

Ahead of the 2019 season, S2 was renamed the Tacoma Defiance and began playing more matches in Tacoma.

2019: Hanauer becomes minority owner of Seattle Reign FC

From 2019 to 2020, Adrian Hanauer and his mother Lenore were minority owners of Seattle Reign FC.

2019: Roth departs ownership group

In 2019, Joe Roth departed from the club's ownership group and was replaced by Seattle Futbol Club LLC.

2019: Second MLS Cup Victory

In 2019, the Seattle Sounders won their second MLS Cup.

2019: MLS Cup attendance record

In 2019, the Sounders set an attendance record with the MLS Cup, played in front of 69,274 people at Lumen Field, surpassing all other sporting events in the stadium's history.

2019: Commitment to carbon neutrality

In 2019, the club announced that they would become carbon neutral by reducing emissions and purchasing offsets, becoming the first professional soccer team in North America to make such a commitment.

2019: Black-and-pink secondary jersey

In 2019, the secondary jersey was changed to a black-and-pink design inspired by a colorful sunset during a 2014 match against the Portland Timbers.

2019: Loss of Key Players

The 2019 season began with the loss of Osvaldo Alonso and the retirement of Chad Marshall. Román Torres was also suspended. Despite these losses, the Sounders finished 2nd in the Western Conference.

January 2020: Termination of agreement with Seattle Sounders Women

In January 2020, the Sounders terminated its agreement with Seattle Sounders Women, leading the women's side to join the umbrella of amateur organization Sound FC.

January 2020: Termination of branding agreement

In January 2020, the branding agreement between the Sounders and Seattle Sounders FC U-23 was terminated by the Sounders.

March 12, 2020: MLS suspends activities due to COVID-19

On March 12, 2020, MLS suspended all activities due to the worsening COVID-19 pandemic, which had been affecting the Seattle area for several weeks.

July 2020: WaFd Bank Becomes Sleeve Patch Sponsor

In July 2020, the club's first sleeve patch sponsor, WaFd Bank, was announced ahead of the MLS is Back Tournament.

October 2020: Tod Leiweke and Tara Leiweke join ownership group

In October 2020, Seattle Kraken team president Tod Leiweke and his wife, Tara, were announced as additional part-owners of the team.

2020: Hanauer minority ownership of Seattle Reign FC ends

From 2019 to 2020, Adrian Hanauer and his mother Lenore were minority owners of Seattle Reign FC.

2020: Champions League Berth

In 2019, The Sounders qualified for a berth in the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League and earned a record 11th appearance in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

2020: Planned stadium opening

In 2020, a planned soccer-specific stadium was scheduled to open in Tacoma.

2020: 2020 Season Review

In 2020, the Sounders had a mixed season. They participated in the CONCACAF Champions League, losing in the round of 16. After MLS suspended activities due to COVID-19, they played in the MLS is Back Tournament. The Sounders boycotted a match against the LA Galaxy to protest racial injustice, set a franchise record with a 7–1 win against the San Jose Earthquakes, clinched their 12th consecutive playoff berth, and finished second in the Western Conference. They reached the MLS Cup final but lost to the Columbus Crew.

2020: Suspension of season due to COVID-19 pandemic

In 2020, the Sounders season was suspended after two matches due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequent home matches were played behind closed doors.

2020: Streaming rights switch to Amazon Prime Video

In 2020, the team switched its streaming rights to Amazon Prime Video.

January 2021: Craig Waibel replaces Chris Henderson as Technical Director

In January 2021, Craig Waibel replaced Chris Henderson as the club's technical director.

August 2021: Largest attendance during the pandemic era

In August 2021, the largest attendance during the pandemic era occurred during a doubleheader with OL Reign against their respective Portland opponents, drawing 45,737 people for the MLS fixture.

2021: Craig Waibel Hired as Sporting Director

In 2021, Craig Waibel was hired as the club's sporting director.

2021: Jimi Hendrix Jersey Release

In 2021, a dark purple jersey with orange and yellow accents was released to evoke the style of Seattle musician Jimi Hendrix. The jersey, designed in partnership with his family, features Hendrix's signature.

2021: Partnership with Puyallup Tribe of Indians

In 2021, the Sounders announced a multi-year partnership with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians to sponsor the right sleeve on kits, with the Emerald Queen Casino on primary kits and the tribe's emblem on secondary kits.

2021: 2021 Season Review

In 2021, the Sounders began the season with a 13-match unbeaten streak, setting a new MLS record. They retained the Cascadia Cup and advanced to the Leagues Cup final, losing to Club León. Despite a strong start, they finished second in the Western Conference and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Real Salt Lake.

2021: Qualified for 2022 CONCACAF Champions League

In 2021, the team qualified for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League as the best-performing MLS club without their own berth, replacing the slot reserved for the cancelled U.S. Open Cup.

2021: Departure of assistant coaches Gonzalo Pineda and Djimi Traoru00e9

Until 2021, Gonzalo Pineda and Djimi Traoru00e9 served as assistant coaches under Brian Schmetzer.

November 2022: Craig Waibel replaces Garth Lagerwey as General Manager

In November 2022, Craig Waibel replaced Garth Lagerwey as the club's general manager.

November 22, 2022: Lagerwey Departs

On November 22, 2022, Lagerwey departed the club after a seven-year tenure to assume the role of President and CEO at Atlanta United FC.

2022: End of Fox Television Rights

From 2014 to 2022, television rights in English for regionally-broadcast matches were held by Fox owned-and-operated station KCPQ and sister station KZJO within the Seattle market.

2022: Announcement of new training facility

In 2022, it was announced that a new training facility would be built in Renton at the site of the former Longacres horse racetrack.

2022: CONCACAF Champions League Victory

In 2022, the Seattle Sounders became the first MLS team to win the modern version of the CONCACAF Champions League.

2022: Won 2022 CONCACAF Champions League

In 2022, the Sounders won the CONCACAF Champions League, becoming the first MLS club to do so. They defeated UNAM in the final with a 5–2 aggregate victory. As CONCACAF champions, Seattle became the first MLS club to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup.

2022: Tacoma Defiance Move to MLS Next Pro

In 2022, the Tacoma Defiance moved to MLS Next Pro following the end of the USL Championship's affiliation agreement.

2022: "Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field" Name

In 2022, the field was renamed to the "Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field".

January 20, 2023: Providence Health & Services Announced as Jersey Sponsor

On January 20, 2023, Providence Health & Services was announced as the club's new jersey sponsor. The choice of Providence as sponsor was criticized due to their policies on abortion, transgender care, and treatment of low-income patients.

February 2023: Hugh Weber hired as President of Business Operations

In February 2023, Hugh Weber was hired as the club's President of Business Operations.

August 2023: Families of Selipsky, Cantu, and Stein join ownership group

In August 2023, the team gained three additional part-owners, comprising the families of Amazon executive Adam Selipsky, system integration consultant Rick Cantu, and real estate developer Jay Stein.

September 26, 2023: New logo and brand design unveiled

On September 26, 2023, a new logo and brand design was unveiled ahead of the 2024 season. The new design included colors and elements from previous logos, and incorporated a simplified version of the shield.

2023: MLS Season Pass

Beginning with the 2023 season, all MLS matches would be streamed worldwide by Apple on MLS Season Pass with most matches behind a paywall and some available for free.

2023: Bruce Lee Jersey Release

In 2023, an updated secondary kit inspired by martial artist and actor Bruce Lee was released. The jersey is primarily red with a stylized dragon on the front and includes yellow and black accents as well as the symbols of Jeet Kune Do and Lee's signature.

2023: Preseason and FIFA Club World Cup

In 2023, the team began their preseason in Seattle before a training camp in Marbella, Spain, to prepare for the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco, where they lost 1-0 to Al Ahly.

2023: Commentary Crew Update

Prior to the 2023 season, the commentary crew for Sounders matches on 950 KJR AM included Matt Johnson with analysis from Wade Webber, Steve Zakuani, and Pete Fewing.

February 2024: Opening of Providence Swedish Performance Center & Clubhouse

In February 2024, the Providence Swedish Performance Center & Clubhouse opened at an office park in Renton.

March 23, 2024: Ruidíaz becomes top goalscorer

On March 23, 2024, Ruidíaz became the top goalscorer in the team's MLS history, surpassing the 79-goal record set by Fredy Montero.

April 2024: Providence announced as naming rights sponsor

In April 2024, Providence was announced as the naming rights sponsor for the new training facility.

June 2024: Sounders Acquire Seattle Reign FC

In June 2024, the Sounders announced their acquisition of National Women's Soccer League side Seattle Reign FC as managing partner alongside the Carlyle Group.

2024: Anniversary Kit Unveiled

Ahead of the 2024 season, the Anniversary Kit was unveiled, featuring aqua pinstripes on a green background with design elements inspired by earlier incarnations of the Sounders.

2024: Ruidiaz Surpasses Montero's Goal Record, Sounders affiliate with Seattle Reign FC

In 2024, Raúl Ruidíaz surpassed Fredy Montero's record to become the team's top goalscorer. Also in 2024, the Sounders became affiliated with sister team Seattle Reign FC of the National Women's Soccer League.

2024: Sounders and Carlyle Group own Seattle Reign FC

Since 2024, Seattle Reign FC of the National Women's Soccer League has been owned by the Sounders and the Carlyle Group.

2025: Salish Sea Kit

The 2025 secondary jersey, named the "Salish Sea Kit", uses shades of blue that are arranged in triangular Salish weaving patterns designed in collaboration with three artists from Coast Salish tribes. The jersey includes the Southern Lushootseed phrase x̌ax̌aʔ ti qʷuʔ and its English translation ("water is sacred") on the front and a stylized orca tail on the back.