Born in 1974. If you’re at a March to the Match, you know Sounders FC supporters are proud of the rich tradition that soccer has in the city of Seattle. Although the club is a relatively new addition to a growing MLS, the Sounders legacy runs four decades deep.
In 2014, Seattle Sounders FC celebrated its 40th anniversary with a year-long celebration that included an alumni match, a unique logo on Seattle’s kits, former players and coaches honored at games throughout the year, and a Sounders All-Time Best XI.
“Tradition is important in any club and certainly the Sounders have a tradition that extends beyond the current Sounders,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid. “To acknowledge that and recognize that and bring that all into the forefront this year with the 40th anniversary is important. Being able to make them feel that this is part of what they built and part of what they started, I think is tremendous.”
The Sounders spanned multiple leagues, including the NASL, A-League/USL and finally MLS. Some key figures are still present with the club, including Assistant Coach Brian Schmetzer and Zach Scott, who will enter his 14thseason in 2015 with Seattle.
“The 40th anniversary is about the players and the memories they created for the fans, each other, and the city of Seattle,” said Taylor Graham, Director of Business Operations, earlier this year. “Oftentimes I look back at my time with the club and remember the relationships and personalities more than the wins and losses. All of these experiences and individuals make the club what it is today.”
Here’s to 40 more years of the Sounders soccer in Seattle!
