2014 Seattle Sounders FC season explained

Club:Seattle Sounders FC
Season:2014
League:Major League Soccer
Chrtitle:General manager
Chairman:Adrian Hanauer
Mgrtitle:Head coach
Manager:Sigi Schmid
Stadium:CenturyLink Field
League Result:Conference

1st
Overall: 1st, Supporters' Shield

Cup1:MLS Cup Playoffs
Cup1 Result:Western Conference Finals
Cup2:U.S. Open Cup
Cup2 Result:Winners
Cup3:Cascadia Cup
Cup3 Result:Runners-up (2–2–2)
Cup4:Heritage Cup
Cup4 Result:Runners-up (0–1–1)
Cup5:Carolina Challenge Cup
Cup5 Result:Runners-up (1–2–0)
League Topscorer:Obafemi Martins (17)[1]
Season Topscorer:Obafemi Martins (19)
Highest Attendance:64,207 vs. Portland (Jul. 13)[2]
Lowest Attendance:38,441 vs. Toronto (Mar. 15)
Average Attendance:League: 43,734
Playoffs:
All:
Largest Win:League: 4–0 vs. Salt Lake (May 31)
Largest Loss:League: 0–5 at New England (May 11)
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American:true
Prevseason:2013
Nextseason:2015

The 2014 Seattle Sounders FC season was the club's sixth season in Major League Soccer, the United States' top-tier of professional soccer. Including previous Seattle Sounders franchises, this was the 34th season of a soccer team playing in the Seattle metro area.

The Sounders earned a double for the first time in club history—winning their fourth U.S. Open Cup title and first Supporters' Shield as the best team in the MLS regular season.[3] The team were the first to win 20 matches in the post-shootout era after a slow start to the season.[4] During the 2014 season, the Sounders earned the most points (64) and scored the most goals (65) in the club's MLS history.[5] The team's attempt to complete the league's first domestic treble in the MLS Cup Playoffs was halted by a loss to the LA Galaxy—Shield runners-up and later MLS Cup champions—in the Western Conference Final.[6] [7]

Background and preseason

See main article: 2013 Seattle Sounders FC season.

The 2013 season marked the second consecutive year that the Sounders had failed to win a trophy or title; the team had entered the playoffs with only one win in their final ten regular season matches and were eliminated in the Western Conference Semifinals to the Portland Timbers. The team had a 17–17–8 record in all competitions and increased tension between players and coaching staff.[8] [9] Sigi Schmid, entering his sixth season as head coach, consulted with key players in a series of summits and worked with general manager Adrian Hanauer to overhaul the team during the winter offseason. Major players, including goalkeeper Michael Gspurning, midfielder Mauro Rosales, and forward Eddie Johnson, were traded to other teams or released. New signings—described by majority owner Joe Roth as "more plumbers and less dancers"—included goalkeeper Stefan Frei, defender Chad Marshall, and several MLS veterans.[10] A majority of the 37 players who reported to the Sounders training camp in January 2014 were new to the club.[11]

During the winter offseason, midfielder Clint Dempsey joined his former club, Fulham FC in England's Premier League, for a two-month loan spell.[12] Because Major League Soccer's season begins in Spring, and the Premier League begins in Fall, Dempsey did not miss any of Sounders' competitive matches, though he was not with the team for pre-season training. During the loan period, Fulham's manager René Meulensteen was replaced by Felix Magath,[13] prompting some concerns from Sounders supporters that Dempsey was not getting the competitive experience that was the purpose for the loan.

Seattle Sounders FC's 2013-2014 winter included bringing in several new faces to further supplement the returning core. Forward Kenny Cooper (trade with FC Dallas for Adam Moffat),[14] midfielder Marco Pappa (acquired through league Allocation Ranking rules),[15] defender Chad Marshall (trade with Columbus Crew for an undisclosed amount allocation money and a third-round draft pick),[16] and goalkeeper Stefan Frei (trade with Toronto FC for a conditional first-round draft pick in the 2015 SuperDraft) are the most high-profile names.[17] These four are expected to step into the first eleven, or at least see significant playing time.

Other players acquired include midfielder Tristan Bowen (trade with Chivas USA for Mauro Rosales),[18] forward Chad Barrett (acquired with thirteenth pick in 2014 MLS Re-Entry Draft),[19] and defender Jalil Anibaba (trade with Chicago Fire for Patrick Ianni and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado).[20]

Seattle also signed Stanford's Aaron Kovar and Wake Forest's Sean Okoli to Homegrown Player contracts. Both players played for Sounders FC's academy team before beginning their respective college careers.

Seattle selected Damion Lowe, Stefano Rijssel, Fabio Pereira, and Jimmy Ockford in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.[21]

Roster

Major League Soccer teams are limited to eight players without U.S. citizenship, a permanent resident (green card holder), or the holder of other special status (e.g., refugee or asylum status). These international roster slots can be traded.

Competitions

MLS regular season

See also: 2014 Major League Soccer season.

Standings

Overall table

Note: the table below has no impact on playoff qualification and is used solely for determining host of the MLS Cup, certain CCL spots, and 2015 MLS draft. The conference tables are the sole determinant for teams qualifying to the playoffs

Match results

MLS Cup Playoffs

See also: 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Conference Finals

U.S. Open Cup

See main article: 2014 U.S. Open Cup.

Friendlies

Statistics

Appearances

Numbers outside parentheses denote appearances as starter.

Numbers in parentheses denote appearances as substitute.

Players with no appearances are not included in the list.

[22]

No.Pos.Nat.NameMLSU.S. Open CupTotal
AppsAppsApps
1 GKMarcus Hahnemann022
2MFClint Dempsey8(1)08(1)
3 MF Brad Evans8(3)210(3)
4 DF Jalil Anibaba5(2)1(1)6(3)
5 MF Andy Rose1(3)01(3)
6 MF Osvaldo Alonso16016
8 MF Gonzalo Pineda14(1)115(1)
9 FW Obafemi Martins15015
10 MF Marco Pappa11(3)112(3)
11 MF Aaron Kovar0(1)11(1)
12 DF Leonardo Gonzalez8(3)210(3)
13 FW Sean Okoli0(2)11(2)
14 DF Chad Marshall15116
15 DF Dylan Remick6(3)06(3)
16 DF David Estrada0(1)11(1)
17 DF DeAndre Yedlin11011
18 DF Djimi Traore10010
19 FW Chad Barrett4(7)0(2)4(9)
20DFZach Scott4(2)26(2)
21MFFabio Pereira00(1)0(1)
23 FW Cam Weaver0(2)22(2)
24 GK Stefan Frei16016
27 MF Lamar Neagle14(1)1(1)15(2)
33 FW Kenny Cooper8(7)210(7)
42 MF Micheal Azira2(5)24(5)

Goals and assists

[22]

No.Pos.NameMLSU.S. Open CupMLS Cup PlayoffsTotal
Goals Assists Goals Assists Goals Assists Goals Assists
2MF151010001610
3MF05110016
4DF01000001
5MF31200051
6MF02101022
8MF37010038
9FW171322001915
10MF65120178
11MF00010001
12MF00010001
13FW00100010
14DF13000013
16DF00010001
17DF03010004
19FW71210092
20DF00120012
27MF990100910
33FW34620096
10000010
Total65641816118481

Disciplinary record

[23]

No.Pos.NameMLSU.S. Open CupTotal
2MF300030
3MF400040
4DF100010
6MF702090
8MF801090
9FW420042
10MF300030
12DF300030
14DF100010
17DF400040
18DF110011
19FW200020
24GK100010
27MF301040
33FW100010
42MF200020
20MF501060
Total53340573

Additional suspensions

Clint Dempsey was suspended for two matches by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for "violent conduct" during the home match against Toronto FC on March 15, 2014.[24] He was eligible to return for the away match against Portland Timbers on April 5, 2014.[25]

Transfers

For transfers in, dates listed are when Sounders FC officially signed the players to the roster. Transactions where only the rights to the players are acquired are not listed. For transfers out, dates listed are when Sounders FC officially removed the players from its roster, not when they signed with another club. If a player later signed with another club, his new club will be noted, but the date listed here remains the one when he was officially removed from Sounders FC roster.[26]

In

No.Pos.PlayerTransferred fromFee/notesDateSource
24 Toronto FCTraded for 2015 MLS SuperDraft conditional first round pick[27]
14 Columbus CrewTraded for allocation money and 2015 MLS SuperDraft third round pick[28]
Hønefoss BKFree transfer[29]
33 FC DallasTraded for Adam Moffat[30] [31]
11 Stanford CardinalSigned a HGP contract[32]
13 Wake Forest Demon DeaconsSigned a HGP contract
19 New England RevolutionSelected in Stage Two of MLS Re-Entry Process[33] [34]
7 Chivas USATraded for Mauro Rosales[35] [36]
4 Chicago FireTraded for Patrick Ianni, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, and the 13th overall selection of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft[37]
31 Hartford HawksSelected in the first round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft[38]
10 SC Heerenveenacquired through MLS Allocation Ranking rules[39]
Louisville CardinalsSelected in the second round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft[40]
8 C.D. GuadalajaraFree transfer[41]
21 Michigan WolverinesSelected in the third round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft[42] [43]
42 Charleston BatteryFree transfer[44]
23 Houston DynamoFree transfer[45]
77 Riviere-PiloteFree transfer[46]
25 Portland TimbersFree transfer
Stade Rennais F.C.Free transfer

Out

No.Pos.PlayerTransferred toFee/notesDateSource
PAOKClub declined contract option[47]
Blair Gavin Atlanta SilverbacksClub declined contract option
Portland TimbersOut of contract; selected No. 2 in 2014 MLS Re-Entry Draft
Colorado RapidsClub declined contract option; selected in 2014 MLS Re-Entry Draft
Chivas USARights traded for the rights to Tristan Bowen and No. 2 in allocation ranking
Adam Moffat FC DallasTraded for the rights to Kenny Cooper
Columbus CrewTraded for 2015 MLS SuperDraft fourth round pick
D.C. UnitedTraded for allocation money
Chicago FireTraded for Jalil Anibaba
Chicago FireTraded for Jalil Anibaba
Sporting CPTransferred after a season long loan
MF Philip Lund Oklahoma City Energy FC[48]
FW Will BatesWaived
MF Alex Caskey D.C. UnitedTraded for 2016 MLS SuperDraft third round pick[49]
MF Shalrie JosephClub bought out contract[50]
MF Fábio PerieraWaived
FW David Estrada D.C. UnitedTraded for 2017 MLS SuperDraft third round pick

There were many departures of contributing players during Seattle Sounders FC's 2013-2014 off-season. Most notably, on December 17, 2013, Sounders traded forward Eddie Johnson to D.C. United for allocation money. Other notable off-season departures included midfielders Mauro Rosales (traded to Chivas USA for Tristan Bowen and the second Allocation Ranking for the 2014 season), Steve Zakuani (selected in Re-Entry Draft by Portland Timbers FC), Adam Moffat (traded to FC Dallas in exchange for Kenny Cooper),[14] defenders Marc Burch (selected in Re-Entry Draft by Colorado Rapids), Patrick Ianni and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (traded to Chicago Fire),[51] and goalkeeper Michael Gspurning (declined contract option).

Less significant departures included Philip Lund and Blair Gavin.

Loan out

No.Pos.PlayerLoaned toFee/notesSource
2MF Clint Dempsey FulhamTwo-month loan (January 1 to March 1, 2014)[52]
DF New York CosmosSeason-long loan
22FW/DF Eriq Zavaleta Chivas USASeason-long loan[53]
16MF/FW David Estrada Atlanta SilverbacksLoaned out (length unspecified) on April 3, 2014
Recalled on April 27, 2014
[54] [55]
29GK Josh Ford OC BluesLoaned out (length unspecified) on May 13, 2014[56]

Recognition

MLS Player of the Week

WeekPlayerOpponentLink
5 Clint DempseyPortland TimbersPlayer of the Week
6 Clint DempseyFC DallasPlayer of the Week
24 Obafemi MartinsPortland TimbersPlayer of the Week
34 Marco PappaLos Angeles Galaxy

MLS Player of the Month

MonthPlayerLink
April Clint DempseyApril
September Obafemi Martins

MLS Goal of the Week

WeekPlayerOpponentLink
6 Clint DempseyFC DallasGoal Week 6
7 Obafemi MartinsChivas USAGoal Week 7
8 Obafemi MartinsColorado RapidsGoal Week 8
11 Obafemi MartinsSan Jose EarthquakesGoal Week 11
24 Obafemi MartinsPortland TimbersGoal Week 24
25 Clint DempseyColorado RapidsGoal Week 25
27 Lamar NeagleReal Salt Lake
29 Obafemi MartinsChivas USA
30 Marco PappaColorado Rapids

Kits

Type Shirt Shorts Socks First appearance / Info
Home Rave Green Blue Rave Green
Home Alt. Rave Green Rave Green Blue MLS, April 13 against Dallas
Home Alt. 2 Rave Green Rave Green Rave Green MLS, May 11 against New England
Away Shale Shale Shale
Third Black Light green Light green

Notes and References

  1. Web site: MLS Player Stats: 2014 . MLSsoccer.com . October 29, 2023.
  2. Web site: Seattle Sounders FC Performance Stats – 2015–16 . . October 29, 2023.
  3. News: Bird . Liviu . October 25, 2014 . Pappa's brace carries Sounders to Supporters' Shield win over Galaxy . . March 26, 2023.
  4. News: Bolster . John . December 15, 2014 . Stories of the Year: Seattle Sounders win Supporters' Shield, US Open Cup . MLSsoccer.com . March 26, 2023.
  5. News: May 21, 2020 . Counting down Seattle's most dominant teams . . subscription . October 22, 2023.
  6. News: Pentz . Matt . March 5, 2015 . Major League Soccer Countdown, No. 2: Seattle Sounders . . March 26, 2023.
  7. News: Liljenwall . Ari . December 18, 2014 . 2014 in Review: Seattle Sounders enjoy historic season, but fall just short of reaching MLS Cup . MLSsoccer.com . March 26, 2023.
  8. News: Mayers . Joshua . November 7, 2013 . Sounders' season of title hopes ends in playoff defeat to Portland . The Seattle Times . March 26, 2023.
  9. News: Arnold . Geoffrey C. . April 3, 2014 . Portland Timbers ready to take on retooled Seattle Sounders . . March 26, 2023.
  10. News: Pentz . Matt . November 21, 2014 . How Sigi Schmid saved his job and moved the Sounders forward . The Seattle Times . March 26, 2023.
  11. News: Mayers . Joshua . January 25, 2014 . Sounders camp starts up with lots of new faces on field . The Seattle Times . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140219123102/http://seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2022757131_sounders26xml.html . February 19, 2014 . March 26, 2023.
  12. Web site: ESPN staff. Dempsey rejoins Fulham on loan. ESPN. February 19, 2014.
  13. Web site: Peach. Simon. Rene Meulensteen, Alan Curbishley and Ray Wilkins formally leave Fulham following appointment of the notoriously demanding Felix Magath. February 19, 2014 . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/rene-meulensteen-alan-curbishley-and-ray-wilkins-formally-leave-fulham-following-appointment-of-felix-magath-9137889.html . May 1, 2022 . subscription. independent.co.uk. February 19, 2014.
  14. Web site: MLSsoccer Staff. FC Dallas get Adam Moffat from Seattle Sounders for rights to Kenny Cooper, allocation money. MLSsoccer.com. February 18, 2014. February 17, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140217174840/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/12/13/fc-dallas-get-adam-moffat-seattle-sounders-rights-kenny-cooper-allocation-mo. dead.
  15. Web site: MLSsoccer Staff. Seattle Sounders claim former Chicago Fire midfielder Marco Pappa via allocation. MLSsoccer.com. February 18, 2014. March 2, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140302074023/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/01/31/seattle-sounders-claim-former-chicago-fire-midfielder-marco-pappa-allocation. dead.
  16. Web site: MLSsoccer Staff. Seattle Sounders land defender Chad Marshall in deal with Columbus Crew. MLSsoccer.com. February 18, 2014.
  17. Web site: MLSsoccer Staff. Seattle Sounders acquire rights to goalkeeper Stefan Frei from Toronto FC. MLSsoccer.com. February 18, 2014. February 12, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140212171646/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/12/10/seattle-sounders-acquire-rights-goalkeeper-stefan-frei-toronto-fc. dead.
  18. Web site: MLSsoccer Staff. Seattle Sounders trade Mauro Rosales to Chivas USA for rights to Tristan Bowen, swap allocation spots. MLSsoccer.com. February 18, 2014.
  19. Web site: Chad Barret profile. MLSsoccer.com. February 18, 2014.
  20. Web site: MLSsoccer Staff. Chicago Fire deal Jalil Anibaba, No. 8 SuperDraft pick to Seattle Sounders for Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Patrick Ianni, pick. MLSsoccer.com. February 18, 2014.
  21. Web site: 2014 MLS SuperDraft Tracker. MLSsoccer.com. February 18, 2014.
  22. Web site: Team Stats (MLS) Seattle Sounders FC . June 8, 2014 .
  23. Web site: Schedule Seattle Sounders FC . July 13, 2014 .
  24. Web site: Sounders to adapt without Dempsey in next two MLS matches following suspension. March 21, 2014.
  25. Web site: Dempsey's return gives Schmid tactical options heading into Timbers match. April 2, 2014.
  26. Web site: 2014 MLS Transactions. December 31, 2014. March 29, 2014. June 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180627115730/https://www.mlssoccer.com/transactions/2014. dead.
  27. Web site: Sounders FC Acquires Goalkeeper Stefan Frei. December 10, 2013.
  28. Web site: Sounders FC Acquires Chad Marshall. December 12, 2013.
  29. Web site: Sounders FC Acquires 2015 SuperDraft Pick. December 16, 2013.
  30. Web site: Sounders FC Acquires the Rights to Kenny Cooper. December 13, 2013.
  31. Web site: Sounders FC Signs Forward Kenny Cooper. December 19, 2013.
  32. Web site: Sounders FC Signs Aaron Kovar and Sean Okoli. January 9, 2014.
  33. Web site: Sounders FC Selects Barrett and Hertzog in Stage Two of the Re-Entry Process. December 18, 2013.
  34. Web site: Sounders FC Signs Forward Chad Barrett. January 9, 2014.
  35. Web site: Rosales Traded to Chivas USA. December 11, 2013.
  36. Web site: Sounders FC Signs Bowen. January 15, 2014.
  37. Web site: Sounders FC Acquires Anibaba. January 15, 2014.
  38. Web site: Sounders FC Selects Damion Lowe and Jimmy Ockford in 2014 MLS SuperDraft. January 16, 2014.
  39. Web site: Sounders FC Acquires Marco Pappa. January 31, 2014.
  40. Web site: Sounders FC Loans Ockford to New York Cosmos — Sounders FC Communications . March 29, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140329110414/http://media.soundersfc.com/releases/press/2014/2/28/sounders-fc-loans-ockford-to-new-york-cosmos . March 29, 2014 . dead .
  41. Web site: Depth charge: Seattle Sounders add Mexico World Cup veteran Gonzalo Pineda. March 5, 2014. March 29, 2014. March 21, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140321062252/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/03/05/depth-charge-seattle-sounders-add-mexican-world-cup-veteran-gonzalo-pineda. dead.
  42. Web site: Sounders FC Selects Stefano Rijssel & Fabio Pereira in MLS SuperDraft. January 21, 2014.
  43. Web site: Pereira, last draft pick, signs with Sounders. www.socceramerica.com.
  44. Web site: Sounders Sign Ugandan International Micheal Azira. March 6, 2014 .
  45. Web site: Sounders FC Signs Weaver — Sounders FC Communications . March 29, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140329095618/http://media.soundersfc.com/releases/press/2014/3/12/sounders-fc-signs-weaver . March 29, 2014 . dead .
  46. Web site: Sounders FC Signs Kevin Parsemain. March 28, 2014.
  47. Web site: Former Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Michael Gspurning signs with Greek club PAOK. January 27, 2014.
  48. Web site: United Soccer Leagues (USL) . March 29, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140223013522/http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/787931.html . February 23, 2014 . dead .
  49. Web site: D.C. United trades for midfielder Alex Caskey. March 4, 2014. March 29, 2014. March 18, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140318181434/http://www.dcunited.com/news/2014/03/dc-united-trades-for-midfielder-alex-caskey. dead.
  50. Web site: Seattle Sounders officially part ways with Shalrie Joseph via contract buyout. March 8, 2014.
  51. News: Mayers. Joshua. January 15, 2014. Sounders trade Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Patrick Ianni to Chicago for defender Jalil Anibaba. The Seattle Times. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141001032258/http://seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2022679369_sounders16xml.html. October 1, 2014. February 18, 2014.
  52. Web site: Dempsey Loaned to Fulham. December 24, 2013.
  53. Web site: Sounders FC Loans Zavaleta to Chivas USA — Sounders FC Communications . March 29, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140329094029/http://media.soundersfc.com/releases/press/2014/2/28/sounders-fc-loans-zavaleta-to-chivas-usa . March 29, 2014 . dead .
  54. Web site: Sounders FC Loans David Estrada to Atlanta Silverbacks. April 3, 2014.
  55. Web site: David Estrada recalled from loan. April 27, 2014 .
  56. Web site: Josh Ford loaned to OC Blues. May 13, 2014 .