3) The Sounders’ aim to appear in three consecutive MLS Cup finals
Regardless of what Fox Sports analyst and former MLS player Alexi Lalas believes, the Sounders are arguably already a dynasty. The level of consistency has been phenomenal since entering MLS, starting with their league record (active) streak of 12 consecutive playoff appearances.
However, it’s what the Sounders have achieved since Brian Schmetzer took over as head coach midway through the 2016 season, which has seen the franchise enter into the dynasty discussion. Their four MLS Cup finals in five seasons can only be matched — or more to the point beaten — by Houston Dynamo, who made four consecutive appearances between 1996-99.
In the interest of objectivity, the Sounders’ reputation comes down to what your interpretation of a dynasty involves? In this respect, Lalas states that a third championship would be required to give the Rave Green the official title of a dynasty.
As such, the easiest way for the Sounders to end the debate is to win that third MLS Cup in 2021, although there will be nothing straightforward about this quest. No team has ever appeared in five MLS Cup finals in a six-year period, but at least you can have confidence in Schmetzer’s team being in the mix.
NEXT: THE KRAKEN