<h2>SEATTLE SOUNDERS</h2>
The Seattle Sounders were founded in 2007 and compete as a member of the Western Conference of Major League Soccer. The franchise began play in MLS in 2009. Seattle is a “phoenix club” which is one that carries the same name as a previous franchise. The Seattle Sounders were a franchise that competed in the old North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1974 to 1983. 

The franchise is owned by a group that includes several families from the Seattle area. The majority owner is Seattle businessman Adrian Hanauer, who is also a part owner in the new Seattle NHL franchise. Minority owners include the estate of Paul Allen, the man who started Microsoft and was the owner of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks.

Fans can watch Seattle Sounders games on TV and stream games from a number of different platforms. National broadcasts are shown on <a href="https://www.livesportsontv.com/channel/espn">ESPN</a> and <a href="https://www.livesportsontv.com/channel/espn2">ESPN2</a>. Subscribers to ESPN+ can also watch on that network. The Seattle Sounders complete schedule can be watched via live stream on <a href="https://www.livesportsontv.com/channel/espn-plus">ESPN+</a> as well as a number of other network apps such as ABC and FOX. Full game replays are available 48 hours after a match on ESPN+.

<h2>HOME OF THE SEATTLE SOUNDERS</h2>
The Sounders play their home matches at Lumen Field in downtown Seattle. The multipurpose stadium was originally known as Seahawks Stadium, became Qwest Field in 2004 and eventually was named CenturyLink Field until just last year. With CenturyLink’s rebranding to Lumen Technologies, the stadium took its current name. Lumen Field is shared with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and has a seating capacity of 68,740 for Seahawks games and 37,722 for Sounders matches.

<h2>CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY</h2> 
The Sounders franchise had instant success upon its entry into Major League Soccer. The team finished third in the Western Conference and fourth overall in the 2009 MLS season. Then, the club went on to capture the first of three consecutive U.S. Open Cup championships. Seattle has won the U.S. Open Cup in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2014. 

The Sounders have won the MLS Cup twice winning in 2016 and 2019. The wins came after the team finished second in their conference in each season. Seattle was also the MLS Cup runner-up in 2017 and 2020. The franchise also has one Supporters Shield, which was won in 2014.

<h2>BEST OF THE SEATTLE SOUNDERS</h2>
Fredy Montero is the all-time leading scorer in Seattle franchise history. Montero totaled 64 goals in four seasons (2009-12) with the Sounders. Montero was the MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2009 and was twice selected as an MLS All-Star (2009, 2010). In 2011, he won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Player of the Tournament. Montero is also second all-time in assists for Seattle.

Clint Dempsey is one of the more well-known American soccer players in the world. He spent six seasons with the Sounders from 2013 to 2018. Dempsey scored a total of 57 goals with the Sounders, 47 in MLS league play. He was the MLS Rookie of the Year in 2004, a four-time MLS All-Star (2005, 2014, 2015, and 2016), and was the league’s Comeback Player of the Year in 2017.