To Garth Lagerwey, the Sounders general manager, this season will be a referendum of sorts on last year’s MLS Cup — the very one that was hoisted, in all its glory, by Zach Scott and Brad Evans on Sunday to show the properly boisterous CenturyLink crowd.
That was right before a banner commemorating the title was unfurled in the rafters, and the Sounders went out and made the day a complete success by whipping the New York Red Bulls, 3-1.
All week, Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer stressed the need to savor the moment and enjoy the spoils of victory, but then tuck away the pomp and circumstance to concentrate on the match at hand.