The APSL, A-League, and USL First Division all used a summer calendar with a regular season that ran for 20 to 30 matches and concluded with a postseasonplayoffs competition to determine the winner. Thepoints system varied over the years, with apenalty shootout after ties in regulation time used until 1999 and bonus points for scoring in some years.[5][6] During their 15 seasons as a second-division team, the Sounders won four championships: the1995 and1996 A-League championships, and the2005 and2007 titles for the USL First Division.[7] The team's overall goalscoring record is held byMark Baena, who had 44 goals in two seasons with the Sounders.[8][9] In addition to league play, the Sounders participated in theU.S. Open Cup, the national cup competition for men's teams in the United States. They were semifinalists in three editions of the competition and defeated several MLS teams in U.S. Open Cup play.[10] Seattle also played in the1996 edition of theCONCACAF Champions' Cup, the continental club championship, and reached the final round to finish in fourth place.[11][12]
^abcThe USISL A-League used divisions as their equivalent to conferences from 1997 to 1999 before reorganizing them under conferences beginning in the 2000 season.[5]
^abcdFrom 1999 to 2002, the A-League awarded a bonuspoint to teams that scored three or more goals in a match.[29] The Sounders earned 10 bonus points in 1999, 10 bonus points in 2000, 4 bonus points in 2001, and 14 bonus points in 2002.[5]
^Litterer, David (January 29, 2006)."The Year in American Soccer, 1994". Society for American Soccer History.Archived from the original on May 1, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.
^Litterer, David (October 25, 2003)."USA 1995". RSSSF.Archived from the original on December 6, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.
^Litterer, David (January 29, 2006)."The Year in American Soccer, 1995". Society for American Soccer History.Archived from the original on January 3, 2026. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.
^Litterer, David (August 7, 2004)."USA 1996". RSSSF.Archived from the original on December 12, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.
^Litterer, David (January 29, 2006)."The Year in American Soccer, 1996". Society for American Soccer History.Archived from the original on July 18, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.
^Litterer, David (October 25, 2003)."USA 1997". RSSSF.Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.
^Litterer, David (April 11, 2010)."The Year in American Soccer, 1997". Society for American Soccer History.Archived from the original on December 7, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.
^Litterer, David (May 30, 2008)."The Year in American Soccer, 1998". Society for American Soccer History.Archived from the original on November 30, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.
^Dunning, James (November 18, 2002). "PDL Soccer: League Nixes Bonus Points, Only Wins, Ties Will Count in Standings".Yakima Herald-Republic. p. D1.
^"US Open Cup 1999". RSSSF. September 2, 2010.Archived from the original on December 7, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.
^Litterer, David (January 31, 2010)."The Year in American Soccer, 1999". Society for American Soccer History.Archived from the original on December 20, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.
^Goloboy, James (September 2, 2010)."US Open Cup 2000". RSSSF.Archived from the original on January 14, 2026. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.
^Litterer, David (January 2, 2011)."The Year in American Soccer, 2000". Society for American Soccer History.Archived from the original on December 9, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.
^Litterer, David (May 30, 2008)."The Year in American Soccer, 2002". Society for American Soccer History.Archived from the original on December 5, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.
^Goloboy, Jim; King, Ian (January 1, 2004)."USA Cup (USA Open Cup) 2003". RSSSF.Archived from the original on January 25, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.
^"Sounders announce team awards".Seattle Post-Intelligencer. October 14, 2003. p. C7.Archived from the original on December 12, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.
^Litterer, David (July 12, 2012)."The Year in American Soccer, 2004". Society for American Soccer History.Archived from the original on January 15, 2026. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.
^Gaschk, Matthew (September 30, 2005)."Levesque supplies timely lift".Seattle Post-Intelligencer. p. D3.Archived from the original on December 6, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.
^Litterer, David (January 22, 2011)."The Year in American Soccer, 2006". Society for American Soccer History.Archived from the original on January 15, 2026. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.
^Litterer, David (April 10, 2010)."The Year in American Soccer, 2007". Society for American Soccer History.Archived from the original on December 6, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.
^Stokkermans, Karel (September 12, 2008)."USA Cup (USA Open Cup) 2008". RSSSF.Archived from the original on December 7, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.
^Litterer, David (April 10, 2010)."The Year in American Soccer, 2008". Society for American Soccer History.Archived from the original on December 20, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2025.