About

Seattle Sounders Football Club, whose MLS era began in 2009, is an American professional team based in Seattle, United States that compete in Major League Soccer. Walkouts presents a measured catalogue of signed football shirts and framed pieces that link the club’s modern achievements to its long local traditions. The Sounders began MLS play in 2009 after an earlier lineage of Sounders teams and quickly became a fixture in the Pacific Northwest football scene.

The franchise was established as an MLS expansion side and traces a phoenix history from the second‑division Sounders who played from 1994 to 2008, carrying the same name as the original NASL Sounders of the 1970s and early 1980s. Ownership led by Adrian Hanauer, alongside the estate of Paul Allen and Drew Carey, has overseen a period of sustained success and high attendances. Managers and figures such as Brian Schmetzer and players like Clint Dempsey and Nicolás Lodeiro feature prominently in the club’s recent story.

Home matches take place at Lumen Field, the stadium renowned for its atmosphere and a reduced regular capacity of around 37,722. The ground and its organised support, including the Sound Wave marching band, create provenance for shirts worn or signed at notable fixtures, especially Cascadia Cup ties and MLS Cup finals, which collectors prize for match provenance and spectator context.

On the pitch the Sounders have a strong honours list, notably winning the U.S. Open Cup on four occasions, taking a Supporters' Shield, and lifting the MLS Cup twice. The club’s headline domestic accolade is often summarised as 2 MLS Cups. Internationally the Sounders made history as the first MLS team to win the CONCACAF Champions League, a milestone that elevated the value and interest in shirts from that campaign.

For collectors there are a few clear threads to follow. Anniversary releases and commemorative lines around the club’s decade milestones attract attention, for example the 2019 10th anniversary retrospectives and limited runs tied to season milestones. Season and match magnets such as the 2016 MLS Cup final and the 2019 MLS Cup campaign are chased for their match association and player provenance, which enhance collectible appeal and display narratives.

Signed retail shirts from the official fanshop are in demand as much as match-worn items, with early fanshop runs, player-issue variants and region-specific releases forming a distinct collecting lane. Many purchasers seek signed retail editions with accompanying provenance and labels, and reputable pieces are commonly offered with a COA to confirm signature authenticity. Framed retail shirts, player-issued training tops and limited edition prints are frequent inclusions in curated collections.

When assessing Seattle Sounders shirts look for provenance linked to Lumen Field, Cascadia Cup fixtures and the MLS Cup finals in Toronto and Atlanta, and note signatures from long-serving figures such as Jordan Morris and Osvaldo Alonso. Walkouts lists items that reference key moments like the 2016 MLS Cup and the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League run, pairing photographic provenance with signed retail and match-worn offerings to aid confident collecting and display.

Honours

Seattle Sounders FC have compiled an honours list that stands out in North American football. Domestically, the club lifted the U.S. Open Cup four times and secured the Supporters' Shield in 2014 for the league’s best regular-season record. Their playoff pedigree delivered MLS Cup triumphs in 2016 and 2019, hallmark moments that underlined the team’s ability to win on the biggest stage. Internationally, Seattle made history by winning the CONCACAF Champions League in 2022, becoming the first MLS side to capture the modern edition of the tournament. That continental title also led to another milestone, as the Sounders became the first MLS team to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup. A sustained standard of performance was evident in their long run of consecutive playoff qualifications from their MLS inception through 2022. Together, these achievements reflect a club that has matched consistent league excellence with landmark success beyond domestic competition.

Legends & Leadership

Clint Dempsey is recognised as a recent key player in the mid-2010s, bringing proven international class and decisive goals to Seattle’s forward line. Osvaldo Alonso emerged as a recent key player in the early 2010s, embodying the side’s combative core as a long-time captain. Nicolás Lodeiro stands out as a recent key player in the mid-2010s, driving the attack and becoming the club’s all-time assist leader.

Raúl Ruidíaz proved a recent key player in the late 2010s with prolific scoring that consistently shifted big matches in Seattle’s favour. Jordan Morris became a recent key player in the late 2010s, rising from the academy pathway to the first team and ultimately becoming the club’s top goalscorer, surpassing Ruidíaz in 2025. Fredy Montero set early attacking standards as a recent key player in the late 2000s when the team entered MLS.

Stefan Frei anchored the side as a recent key player in the mid-2010s, providing reliable shot-stopping in pressure moments. Chad Marshall commanded the defence as a recent key player in the mid-2010s, bringing leadership and aerial dominance. DeAndre Yedlin broke through as a recent key player in the early 2010s, showcasing academy-developed pace and energy from the back.

Brian Schmetzer guided the team as manager in the late 2010s after taking charge in July 2016, shaping a winning identity rooted in continuity from the club’s earlier era. Adrian Hanauer provided majority ownership through the 2010s, stewarding stability and ambition alongside a committed local ownership group.

Stadium

Lumen Field is the home of Seattle Sounders FC, a multi-purpose venue configured for soccer with a reduced capacity of 37,722 for most league matches. The stadium’s steep stands and downtown setting help generate a distinctive matchday experience, amplified by the club’s organised supporter groups and the 53‑member marching band known as Sound Wave. Rivalry fixtures deepen the atmosphere, particularly against Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, with regional pride and the Cascadia Cup at stake. The venue’s sightlines, accessibility and energy have supported consistently strong followings since the club’s MLS debut. On derby days, colour and noise build well before kick-off and carry through to the final whistle. Whether for regular-season contests or major knockout ties, Lumen Field has become synonymous with high‑tempo football and a communal spectacle that reflects the city’s deep connection to the Sounders.

Also known as
Lumen Field
Capacity
37722

FAQ

Q: Which league do Seattle Sounders FC compete in? A: The club plays in Major League Soccer as a member of the Western Conference.

Q: When did the Sounders begin MLS play? A: The club was established on 13 November 2007 and began MLS play in 2009. Their inaugural match was on 19 March 2009, a 3-0 win over the New York Red Bulls.

Q: What are the club's main honours? A: Seattle have won the U.S. Open Cup four times, the Supporters' Shield in 2014, the MLS Cup in 2016 and 2019, and the CONCACAF Champions League in 2022. They were also the first MLS team to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Q: Where do the Sounders play their home matches? A: Home league games are hosted at Lumen Field, which operates at a reduced capacity of 37,722 for most matches.

Q: How can I verify the authenticity of a signed Sounders item? A: Look for recognised cues such as a COA or witnessed-signing evidence from reputable providers.