If the newest MLS Cup was a living, conscious being, it would have felt neglected Tuesday. The trophy had just found a new home with the Sounders after they beat Toronto FC two days earlier, yet it didn’t seem to be the focus of the players and executives.

Partway through a downtown Sounders victory parade Tuesday afternoon, coach Brian Schmetzer got off the double-decker bus he’d been riding on with players and began high-fiving some of the thousands of fans gathered along the route.

As the week progressed, Adrian Hanauer’s appreciation for what was going on with his club and his city was growing. Yet it was only in the final moments, when the Seattle Sounders held a three-goal lead in the MLS Cup title game, that Hanauer could look around and really take it all in.

Kelvin Leerdam scored on a deflected shot in the 57th minute, substitute Victor Rodriguez connected in the 76th and Raul Ruidiaz added the capper in the 90th to give the Seattle Sounders a 3-1 victory over Toronto FC in the MLS Cup

For the sporting fans of Seattle, this is a rare and precious opportunity Sunday.

Jordan Morris said the magic words in late July, following a win against defending MLS Cup champion Atlanta United: “I consider myself a winger.”

Sunday marks Stefan Frei’s third MLS Cup final, but it might be his most cherished.

MLS’s new single-elimination playoff bracket took Cristian Roldan back to his childhood.

LAFC had the best regular-season record in Major League Soccer history. It had a supporters section you could hear from the other side of the skyline. It had Jerry West introduce its mascot, and the shoo-in MVP wearing No. 10.

The Seattle Sounders have advanced to the MLS Cup final for the third time in five years with a 3-1 victory over Los Angeles FC.

A decade before LAFC made its flashy impact on Major League Soccer, the Seattle Sounders blazed a similar path. The Sounders also had an immediate penchant for signing star players and winning big early in their existence – and Seattle has never missed the playoffs in the decade since.

This was a season that at times looked limitless, and at times looked hopeless.

Seattle will face Los Angeles FC or the LA Galaxy in the conference final next Tuesday.

Gustav Svensson walked off the Sounders practice field Tuesday talking about sunny skies and rejuvenated legs.

The last couple of weeks have felt like a blur for Jordan Morris, even if they’re filled with moments he’ll likely always remember.

Sounders forward Jordan Morris has been voted the MLS comeback player of the year after scoring 10 goals in the regular season in his return from a major knee injury that cost him the entire 2018 season.

Jordan Morris scored in the 113th minute to complete a hat trick in the Settle Sounders’ 4-3 extra-time victory over FC Dallas on Saturday in the first round of the MLS playoffs.

Lodeiro came to Seattle to win championships. But the path to his second MLS Cup is stretching longer than planned.

A pause and a contorted face are among the frequent reactions to questions regarding Major League Soccer’s new playoff format.