Club: Seattle Sounders FC (USA)
Founded: 2007
City: Seattle
Stadium: CenturyLink Field
Manager: Sigi Schmid
Qualification method: 2011 U.S. Open Cup champion
Previous CONCACAF Champions League appearances: 2010-11 (Group Stage), 2011-12 (Quarterfinals)
Honors: U.S. Open Cup-3 (2009, 2010, 2011)
Official website: http://soundersfc.com

Although one of the newer Major League Soccer squads, Seattle Sounders FC has been one of the league's elite almost immediately from its inception, making the MLS Cup playoffs in each of its first three years. Coached by two-time MLS champion Sigi Schmid, Seattle reached the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League last year, becoming only the second American team to win in Mexico by beating Monterrey during the Group Stage. Featuring Colombians Fredy Montero and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, as well as Uruguayan midfielder Alvaro Fernandez and Argentine midfielder Mauro Rosales, Seattle became the first club in 42 years to win three straight U.S. Open Cup titles, beating Chicago Fire 2-0 in October. Among the owners of the club are comedian and TV game show host Drew Carey, as well as Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. The club's name was chosen in an online poll by fans, who are among the most passionate in the league. Seattle has sold out every league match and set MLS records for average attendance, leading the league in season ticket sales.