Soccer players never get tired of playing the game.

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It’s a chance for you to learn more about the Sounders … and for me to talk about some of the great stories I couldn’t squeeze into the book.

Scroll down to get the latest news … and to learn more about American soccer. And check out some of the cool collectibles I have in my home.

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Breaking News

Stefan Frei’s 2016 MLS championship ring
(Photo by Stefan Frei)

What’s up with Seattle Sounders

April 1, 2023: In a 2–1 victory over the LA Galaxy, Jordan Morris set a team record with his fifth goal in a row and coach Brian Schmetzer won his 100th game. Stefan Frei also tied a team record with his 332nd MLS start in goal.

March 25, 2023: Jordan Morris scored all four goals in a 4–1 road victory over Sporting Kansas City. Morris was the first player in team history to score four ties. All four of his goals were assisted by Brazilian forward Leo Chu.

August 10, 2022: Raul Ruidiaz of the Sounders scored the winning goal in the MLS All-Star Game. His penalty kick in the second half gave his team a 2¬0 lead and they held on to win, 2–1.

May 4, 2022: The Sounders defeated the Mexican club Pumas 3–0 to win the CONCACAF Champions League tournament. Raul Ruidiaz scored the first two goals and Nico Lodeiro netted the third. Seattle is the first MLS team to win this competition, which stands for “Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football.”

December 2, 2021: Yeimar Gomez was named to the MLS Best XI team. In just his second year with the club, he distinguished himself as one of the league’s top defenders. Seattle midfielder Joao Paulo and forward Raul Ruidiaz were also named to the Best XI. Ruidiaz led the Sounders with 17 goals during 2021.

October 6, 2021: Brazilian midfielder Joao Paulo dribbled through four defenders from his own half to the Colorado goal and then nudged the ball under a sliding goalkeeper to earn MLS Goal of the Week honors.

September 11, 2020: The Sounders beat the San Jose Earthquakes 7–1—the most goals in team history. Raul Ruidiaz and Joevin Jones scored two goals each. Jordan Morris had three assists.

2020 Season Preview: The Sounders are favored to win the MLS Cup again, but it won’t be easy. Playmaker Nicolas Lodeiro will have to have another great season, Jordan Morris will have to repeat his fine 2019 season, and Raul Ruidiaz will have to stay healthy for Seattle to reach a second straight championship.

November 10, 2019: The Sounders were crowned champions of Major League Soccer after defeating Toronto FC in the MLS Cup, 3–1. More than 69,000 fans cheered on Seattle, which got goals from Kevin Leerdam, Raul Ruidiaz, and Victor Rodriguez. Rodriguez, who came into the match as a substitute, was named MVP of the final.

2018 Season Preview: After a narrow loss to Toronto in the MLS Cup, the Sounders are laser-focused on a return to the top of the league. The team on the field is almost identical to its successful 2016 and 2017 squads, with the notable addition of Norwegian midfielder Magnus Wolff.

October 22, 2017: Stefan Frei blanked the Colorado Rapids in the final game of the regular season. Frei finished the year with 13 shutouts to lead all MLS goalkeepers.

May 23, 2017: The Sounders received their 2016 championship rings in a private ceremony. The rings are made of white gold and include 38 diamonds.

Major League Soccer & the MLS Cup

MLS Cup
(© Major League Soccer)

  • The Sounders are members of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top soccer league in North America. MLS played its first season in 1996 with 10 teams. In 2017, MLS had 22 teams. Each club plays 34 games in the regular season, followed by the playoffs. The MLS schedule stretches from March to December (including the playoffs). Most pro leagues around he world begin in the fall and end in the spring, leaving time for top players to compete in summer tournaments, such as the World Cup.

  • Much like other U.S. sports leagues, the MLS clubs with the best records compete in postseason playoffs. The winner of each conference advances to the MLS Cup, the league’s one-game championship final.

Collector’s Corner

Freddie Ljungberg
(© The Upper Deck Company)

Brad Evans
(© Topps, Inc.)

More treasures from the author’s collection!

  • Freddie Ljungberg — Forward
    2009–2010
    Freddie Ljungberg was one of the top players in the Premier League with Arsenal F.C. He gave the Sounders great leadership and got more All-Star votes from MLS fans than any player in 2009.

  • Fredy Montero — Forward
    2009–2012
    Fredy Montero joined Seattle in 2009 and led the team in goals in the club’s first season. He was named MLS Newcomer of the Year. Montero led the Sounders to victory in the U.S. Open Cup three years in a row.

  • Osvaldo Alonso — Midfielder
    2009–2018
    Few midfielders have made their mark on defense the way Osvaldo Alonso did when he joined the Sounders. No one on the club played more—or played harder—than the Cuban stars.

  • Brad Evans — Midfielder
    2009–2017
    Whether playing midfielder or on the back line, Brad Evans had a reputation as a dependable defensive “stopper.” He starred for Seattle and for the U.S. national team.

  • Eddie Johnson— Forward
    2012–2013
    Eddie Johnson was sensational during his two seasons in Seattle. He scored 23 times in 49 matches, including a huge number of headers. The veteran striker was named Comeback Player of the Year in 2012.

Fun Facts

Stefan Frei
(© Topps, Inc.)

Did You Know?

• The Sounders average over 40,000 fans per game—the most in MLS by almost 20,000 and one of the Top 30 figures of any club in the world.

• One of the club’s owners is comedian Drew Carey, host of the TV game show The Price Is Right.

• The Sounders won the Heritage Cup four times between 2010 and 2016. The Heritage Cup is a two-match tournament between the Sounders and San Jose Earthquakes.

• The play of the game in the 2016 MLS Cup was made by goalkeeper Stefan Frei. He stopped a point-blank shot by Jozy Altidore of Toronto FC in extra time to keep the game tied 0–0. Seattle went on to win on penalty kicks.

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