Looking back at Seattle Sounders MLS season openers

The Seattle Sounders FC have been one of the most successful teams in Major League Soccer (MLS) since joining the league in 2009. They have won four U.S. Open Cup titles, one Supporters' Shield, and two MLS Cups, as well as becoming the first MLS team to win the CONCACAF Champions League and participate in the FIFA Club World Cup.

The Sounders have a strong record in their MLS season-openers, winning nine out of 15 matches. The 2024 season will mark only the second time that the team will begin the season with an away game. The first time was in 2017. Here is a short summary of the Sounders' MLS season-openers throughout the years:

2009: The Sounders played their inaugural match on March 19, 2009, winning 3–0 over the New York Red Bulls at Qwest Field (later Century Link Field and currently Lumen Field). Fredy Montero scored a brace and Brad Evans added a third goal for the hosts, while Kasey Keller kept a clean sheet in front of 32,523 fans.

2010: On March 25, 2010, the Sounders kicked off their second MLS season with a 2–0 victory over the Philadelphia Union at Qwest Field eld (later Century Link Field and currently Lumen Field). The first goal was scored by Brad Evans, who was assisted by Steve Zakuani, and the second and final goal was netted by Fredy Montero, who was assisted by Osvaldo Alonso.

2011: The Sounders began their third MLS season on March 15, 2011, by losing 1–0 to the Los Angeles Galaxy at Qwest Field (later Century Link Field and currently Lumen Field). Juninho was the sole scorer of the game for Beckham's team.

2012: The Sounders began their fourth MLS season on March 17, 2012, with a 3–1 win over Toronto FC at Century Link Field (currently Lumen Field). David Estrada scored a hat-trick for the hosts, while Ryan Johnson scored a consolation goal for the visitors.

2013: The Sounders opened their fifth MLS season on March 2, 2013, with a 1–0 loss to the Montreal Impact at CenturyLink Field (currently Lumen Field). Davy Arnaud scored the only goal of the game in the 35th minute, curling in a shot from outside the box.

2014: The Sounders kicked off their sixth MLS season on March 8, 2014, with a 1–0 win over Sporting Kansas City at CenturyLink Field (currently Lumen Field). Chad Barrett scored the only goal of the game in stoppage time, tapping in a cross from Clint Dempsey.

2015: The Sounders began their seventh MLS season on March 8, 2015, with a 3–0 win over the New England Revolution at CenturyLink Field (currently Lumen Field). Clint Dempsey scored twice and Obafemi Martins added a third goal for the hosts, who outplayed the defending Eastern Conference champions.

2016: The Sounders opened their eighth MLS season on March 6, 2016, with a 1–0 loss to Sporting Kansas City at CenturyLink Field (currently Lumen Field). Nuno Coelho scored the only goal of the game in the 73rd minute, firing in a low shot from distance that deflected off Osvaldo Alonso and past Stefan Frei.

2017: The Sounders kicked off their ninth MLS season on March 4, 2017, with a 2–1 loss to the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium (currently Shell Energy Stadium). Erick Torres and Romell Quioto scored for the hosts, while Clint Dempsey scored for the visitors in his return from a heart condition that sidelined him for most of the previous season.

2018: The Sounders began their tenth MLS season on March 4, 2018, with a 1–0 loss to Los Angeles FC at CenturyLink Field (currently Lumen Field). Diego Rossi scored the only goal of the game in the 11th minute, finishing off a counterattack led by Carlos Vela.

2019: The Sounders opened their eleventh MLS season on March 2, 2019, with a 4–1 win over FC Cincinnati at CenturyLink Field (currently Lumen Field). Kelvin Leerdam, Jordan Morris, and Raul Ruidiaz scored for the hosts, while Leonardo Bertone scored for the visitors. The Sounders came from behind to score four unanswered goals, with Morris scoring twice.

2020: The Sounders kicked off their twelfth MLS season on March 1, 2020, with a 2–1 win over the Chicago Fire at CenturyLink Field (currently Lumen Field). Jordan Morris scored both goals for the hosts, while Robert Beric scored for the visitors.

2021: The Sounders began their thirteenth MLS season on April 16, 2021, with a 4–0 win over Minnesota United at Lumen Field. Joao Paulo, Raul Ruidiaz (twice), and Fredy Montero scored for the hosts, who avenged their loss to Minnesota in the previous season's Western Conference Final.

2022: The Sounders opened their fourteenth MLS season on February 27, 2022, with a 1-0 loss to Nashville at Lumen Field. Anibal Godoy scored the lone goal of the game in the 80th minute.

2023: The Sounders kicked off their fifteenth MLS season on February 26, 2023, with a 4-0 win over Colorado Rapids at Lumen Field. Cristian Roldan, Jordan Morris (twice) and Héber scored the goals of the match.