Dwindling dynasty: Seattle Sounders' days as kings of MLS may be over

It is hard to define a dynasty, but at the end of the day, it all starts with championships. 

The Seattle Sounders are one of the few teams in American soccer that can claim to be a dynasty. The Sounders won three titles in six years, including the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League.

Consistent winning seasons and superstar talent are also a must for every dynasty, which again fits for the Sounders. 

Seattle was one of the most balanced teams the MLS has seen. From the always-consistent goal-tending of Stephan Frei to the wicked speed and clinical finishing of Raul Ruidiaz to the elite elusiveness and playmaking of Nicholas Lodeiro, the Sounders were near inevitable.

From 2009 to 2021, the Seattle Sounders appeared in the MLS playoffs every season. In 2022, the team missed the postseason for the first time in franchise history. 

Four key things have led to Seattle's decline in form. Lodeiro's departure has left a gaping hole in the Sounders' midfield. An aging Stefan Frei has begun to suffer frequent injuries and miss significant playing time. Head coach Brian Schmetzer has seen his tactics wane in effectiveness. And the teams' passive approach to its roster when they struggle to score goals.

Once a titan of the MLS, Seattle can no longer go head-to-head with the league's best clubs. The Sounders have struggled significantly against Western Conference rival Los Angeles FC.

LAFC has made a name for itself as one of the premier clubs in the MLS. Attracting big international free agents such as Gareth Bale in June 2022 and Olivier Giroud in May 2024, LAFC is a destination for players who want to win championships. Speaking of championships, LAFC won their first MLS title in 2022. The team has been runner-up three times in six seasons in all competitions. 

The Sounders have posted a win-less record versus LAFC in their last eight matchups. Seattle has been outscored in those contests 13-3. This string of results is a symbolic passing of the torch. The twilight of Seattle's dominance in MLS is here, and the age of LAFC is on the horizon.

Seattle's lackadaisical approach to making transfers has largely brought Seattle down to earth. LAFC has continued to be aggressive during transfer windows, bringing in impact players. 

Since then, Seattle has shown complacency toward its roster. Seemingly uninterested in making big moves for sought-after players.

Seattle did acquire a young, talented Argentine midfielder named Pedro de la Vega in January of 2024. But he hasn't had much impact due to being sidelined from an injury. 

Sounders general manager Craig Waibel has primarily been inactive during transfer windows since his promotion in 2022. He has focused mainly on resigning players or adding depth pieces. Actively making transfers is essential to long-term success. A team must replace players who leave and upgrade those no longer playing their best. 

The Sounders have a chance to make the playoffs in 2024. The team currently sits in seventh place in the Western Conference, but they must watch their backs. Portland, Minnesota and Austin are all within range of taking Seattle's spot in the MLS playoffs. With a demanding schedule ahead, Seattle could miss the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.

For the Sounders, the challenge is finding a new winning formula and embracing a dynamic roster management approach. If the franchise can rediscover its competitive edge and reinvest in its squad, it could reclaim its spot among the titans of North American soccer.