The Seattle Sounders broke CenturyLink Field attendance records for their 3-1 MLS Cup win over Toronto FC on Sunday, and odds are thousands will turn out for the club’s victory parade on Tuesday.
This sort of celebratory event has produced plenty of memorable moments in recent years, including some from the Sounders in 2016.
As the city prepares to celebrate its second MLS Cup in four years, here’s a look at some top parade moments in recent years. This year’s event will start at Westlake Park at 3 pm ET and carry through the rally portion at Seattle Center around roughly 4:30 pm ET.
Rain? No bother for Timbers
After the Portland Timbers won the 2015 MLS Cup over the Columbus Crew, they returned to the Pacific Northwest and were greeted, of course, by plenty of rain.
But that didn’t stop the Timbers Army faithful and many more from pouring into the downtown streets as players, coaches and staff members showcased their first major trophy in MLS.
Deuce disses PDX
The Cascadia Cup rivalry between Seattle and Portland is well-documented, and Clint Dempsey didn’t forget to mention it during the Sounders’ 2016 victory parade. It was their first MLS Cup win, one that ended with Seattle beating Toronto on penalty kicks.
“All I got to say is, now that we won one, Portland can't say s**t,” Dempsey exclaimed with a mic-drop of sorts.
Shots fired from the US men’s national team legend, who never was one to shy away from banter.
Jozy’s mic drop
After Toronto got revenge on Seattle in 2017, Jozy Altidore’s victory parade speech in The Six immediately vaulted up to legendary status.
The striker trolled rivals Montreal Impact, saluted the city and said he’s “TFC till I die.” He even produced a quote that famously leads into every Extratime episode:
“Everybody up here, every single day, goes into the office, into the laboratory, to try and cook up some great stuff for you guys,” Altidore said, admitting he’d been partying for a few days.
Atlanta takes over downtown
When Atlanta United won the 2018 MLS Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium over Portland, the ensuing celebrations always promised to be memorable.
They certainly were, as thousands of fans gathered in downtown for songs, drinks and dancing. It was two years in MLS capped off by a party that star players like Miguel Almiron and Josef Martinez clearly enjoyed.
