It was known as one of the greatest launches of a professional sports franchise in North American history. Seemingly out of nowhere, the MLS expansion franchise in 2009, the Seattle Sounders, took the league by storm. They led the league in attendance and even hosted MLS Cup back when it took place at a neutral site. That September, the club claimed its first trophy – the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Perhaps most impressive of all – the Sounders qualified for the postseason that year, finishing third in the Western Conference. It marked the third time in league history, and the first time since 1998, that an expansion side reached the postseason.