The Sounders already had one huge anticlimax on their ledger this season, having absorbed a stunning CONCACAF Champions League loss to CD Olimpia at home Thursday.
What had seemed like a realistic shot for a run at that prestigious title was over before it really started, a bitter blow to all. And here they were on Sunday, possibly headed for another monumental letdown in their MLS opener.
Pumped up by the pomp and pride of raising their 2019 championship banner, buoyed by a robust crowd of 40,126 at CenturyLink Field, the Sounders nevertheless found themselves trailing to the Chicago Fire early in the second half.