Although enthusiasm for the Sounders has never been higher, it is important to remember where this season began. I can recall several conversations with fans around Pioneer Square at the inaugural game. The general sentiment at the time was that fans were just happy to be there; happy to be a part of Major League Soccer finally coming to Seattle after being passed over several times for expansion, happy to have the opportunity to see the likes of Freddie Ljungberg, Kasey Keller, Landon Donovan, Blanco and even David Beckham. The goal was maybe not get blown out by the league runners-up from the previous season. That night the Sounders sent a message that they were not an ordinary expansion team by drubbing the Red Bulls.

Looking back at the season now it has been an incredible journey. How many fans bought season tickets all those many months ago without a thought that we were going to be in the running for a conference title? Or that we would get to see Thierry Henry, Lionel Messi, Frank Lampard, John Terry and their respective teams take the pitch at Qwest?

The Sounders have put together a wonderful organization that has redefined what it means to be an expansion team in the MLS. Philadelphia, Vancouver and Portland will try to emulate the excitement this team has generated and keep the league rolling. There are several reasons why the Sounders were such a draw for Seattle sports fans: After years of poorly managed Seattle teams, the Sounders spent wisely on Keller and Ljungberg. Fredy Montero, Osvaldo Alonso, and Leo Gonzalez were amazing signings (because it is so unbelievable that no other team in MLS thought to sign them).

Seattle sports fans have a chip on their shoulder over several perceived slights that run the gamut from East Coast bias that cost the UW Huskies a National Championship in ‘91. Odd penalty calls against the Seahawks in Super Bowl XL. The Mariners (in a general sense). And the largest slap in the face, the CEO of Starbucks sold the Sonics to Oklahoma. Losing the Seahawks to Los Angeles is more like losing your wife to Brad Pitt, Sonics to OKC is like finding out your girlfriend has been two-timing you with Steve Buscemi. You can understand the ‘why’ of Brad Pitt, but Buscemi? Seattle was ready to pop. Ready for something new. Ready for Major League Soccer.

We won a trophy. We set the MLS attendance record and are the first soccer team in the U.S. to rank in the top 50 in average attendance. We have the MLS all-time wins leader as our coach. We don’t waste time or play ugly soccer. Our fans have a real sense of ownership with the power to replace the general manager (and choosing the name Sounders FC in a write-in campaign over three choices promoted by the team management). The Sounders were one of three teams to finish this season with a .500 road record. Seattle and the Houston Dynamo both finished with less than a goal allowed per game. Only five teams before have accomplished this feat in the history of MLS. Only one other expansion team made the playoffs, and they lifted the Cup in 1998.

What isn’t to like about this team? In a season filled with superlatives we can only hope that the best is yet to come.