Over the later half of 2016, the club somehow went from last in the western conference to finishing 4th and becoming MLS Cup Champions. The Sounders have always been a team to fear since they’ve been in the MLS, and they’ve always been pressured to do well. But in 2017, they will be feared as the MLS Champions and will face the pressure that every reigning champion faces.
2017 will be Brian Schmetzer’s first full season as coach, Nicolas Lodeiro’s first full season in MLS and Jordan Morris will begin his sophomore season with the club. The Sounders lost some key players, but they also gained several players that should help them make a run at another MLS Cup.