Throughout the season, the Seattle Sounders were written in and out of the potential challengers for MLS Cup. They started the season so brilliantly, the attack firing on all cylinders upon the return of Jordan Morris. Then, Chad Marshall retired, injuries hit, Raul Ruidiaz went off the boil and the doubts.
An undulating campaign then saw the Sounders supporters simultaneously ferociously believe that their team had the quality to rival the dominant Los Angeles FC and also doubt their elite ability.
At the heart of this was head coach Brian Schmetzer. Schmetzer is a frustrating coach for an elite MLS team.