2020

Seattle Sounders defeat Vancouver Whitecaps to clinch 12th consecutive postseason berth, extend MLS record

Clinched newser cover photo

The Seattle Sounders defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 on Tuesday to clinch their 12th consecutive MLS Cup Playoffs berth, extending their own league record.


Since entering Major League Soccer in 2009, Seattle has qualified for every single postseason, winning two MLS Cups and three Western Conference Championships. The Sounders are the current MLS Cup holders after beating Toronto FC 3-1 at CenturyLink Field last year.


The Sounders have the second-longest active playoff streak of any major sports league in the United States (including Canadian teams) behind only the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins. Here are the leaders in each league:


14 – Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
12 – Seattle Sounders (MLS)
11 – New England Patriots (NFL)
10 – Minnesota Lynx (WNBA)
8 – Houston Rockets (NBA)
8 – Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
5 – Chicago Red Stars (NWSL)


While the definition of “expansion team” is somewhat murky across the history of different leagues, the Sounders’ success since joining MLS in 2009 is near unprecedented. Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Seattle’s postseason streak is the second-longest all time by an expansion team to start a franchise in the five major U.S. leagues (including teams that joined via merger), behind only the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers, who made the Stanley Cup Playoffs 13 consecutive seasons from 1979-1991 after joining via merger from the WHL.


With three matches remaining in the regular season, the Sounders will look to improve their playoff seeding when the visit the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, Nov. 1 (6 p.m. PT; JOEtv, Prime Video, 1090 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).

2025 Season Memberships

2025 Season Memberships

Join Sounders FC for an unforgettable year. Unlock exclusive perks and be part of the action as we enter a new era. Includes 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Ticket access. 2025 Season Memberships are on sale now!

2025 FIFA Club World Cup

2025 FIFA Club World Cup

The biggest club soccer event in history is coming to Seattle. And we're playing in it.

Single Match Tickets Available Now

Single Match Tickets Available Now

Grab your tickets and celebrate our 50th Anniversary Season!