“Here we stand or here we fall”

From 1974 to the present the Seattle Sounders tested themselves not just against the best in the United States and Canada, but against teams from across the globe. There is a long list of failures, with a few notable highlights.

In the Trans-Atlantic Challenge Cup the NASL Sounders took a title over the Cosmos, Celtic and Southampton. In their second appearance, a third place finish edging São Paulo. Seattle is the only NASL team besides the Cosmos to appear twice in this Cosmos-promotional vehicle.

Back in the A-League era, Sounders qualified for the 1996 Concacaf Champions Cup. Seattle managed to crush Suriname's entry and then went 0-3, -17 against Cruz Azul, Necaxa and Comunicaciones. Over a decade later the club went back to the CCL – and eventually started to look decent, then great, going undefeated winning the title.

The Seattle Sounders are worthy of international attention, not because they spend money to sign a now-knight, or the most recognizable in sport, because they win, a lot.

No American club has more appearances, points, matches played, wins, goals, etc than Seattle.

And, despite all the efforts of focusing on Inter Miami (TNT and TBS picked up those games) it is Seattle that's playing in the most interesting group of the tournament.

The results don't matter and the points are made up, to paraphrase Seattle's minority owner Drew Carey.

Except they do.

Our city will be the center of attention for the global soccer community. Every blemish, every highlight, every sky of blue, sea of green, every mountain out, every welcoming fan, every orca, every ferry, every recognition of the tribes who are participants in our soccer community.

Every minipitch, every homegrown player from Alaska or Mercer Island.

Every coach who chose to call Seattle home or who was born right here to become listed among the two other MLS giants who took a similar title to the CCL (Arena, Schmid).

Through all of the wrongs and rights of this tournament there can be little doubt – the World's Game Is Coming To Seattle (again and again). What we do right here in Puget Sound is a great opportunity show the world of soccer who we are, to be heard in all of our glorious acceptance of those who love the game, no matter their origin, creed, or loves.