Seattle Sounders fans received one last opportunity to celebrate the soccer team's accomplishments from last season. On Sunday night, a banner went up at CenturyLink Field, reminding everyone watching and everyone in attendance about the team that won their first ever MLS Cup just a season ago.
Raising a banner in Seattle
The Sounders actually prepared in advance for the potential adrenaline to come on Tuesday, wanting to celebrate without affecting their play on the field. They had a team dinner and reviewed some of the highlights from the MLS Cup victory year, just to get a sense of what may be going through fans' heads prior to the game on Sunday.
Nothing could have properly prepared them for the jubilation, though.
It took just eight season of play for the Sounders to hoist the biggest Soccer trophy in the country. Their fans were rightfully in the mood to celebrate that accomplishment like they did with a parade back when the victory was secured. Zach Scott and Brad Evans carried out the MLS Cup for all to see. A banner was unfurled for all to see. And the Seattle faithful lost their collective minds, reminding people about the "12th Man" that accompanies the Seahawks to home games in the same stadium on Sundays in the fall.
Taking care of business
The only thing that was going to make the celebration even better was a win on Sunday. The Sounders were faced with a tough task in taking on Red Bull New York.
The Red Bulls had gone unbeaten in their last 18 games, one shy of a domestic record. The MLS Cup fatigue wasn't allowed to set in for the Seattle squad.
This was their afternoon, though. Young star Jordan Morris and old star Clint Dempsey, who missed much of last season while dealing with a frightening heart condition, scored in the 3-1 Sounders victory.
Harry Shipp scored the final tally in front of a home opener record crowd for the team. Sunday's win should provide a momentum boost as the team makes another push to win the MLS Cup in back-to-back years, which hasn't happened in over a decade.
