On December 10th, the Seattle Sounders defeated Toronto FC 0(5)-0(4), to claim their first MLS Cup.

Despite recording 0 shots on target over the 120 minutes of regulation and extra time, the Sounders were able to hold their nerve in the penalty shootout to be crowned champions.

The title puts a bow on the greatest comeback story in the history of the league. No team in MLS had made the postseason after having less than 20 points after 20 games, let alone win the title. A cold start, coaching change, and loss of superstar Clint Dempsey just made victory taste sweeter. This was a sentiment majority owner Adrian Hanauer told The Seattle Times.

“This was a rough year, but it just shows that in this league, anything can happen,” said Hanauer. “You can make a midseason run and peak at the right time. What I’m most proud of, and Sigi talked about it in the past as well, is consistency. We put ourselves in position to win it eight years in a row, and this was our year.”

While the Sounders’ comeback as a team was historical, it was not the only redemption story of MLS Cup. Goalkeeper Stefan Frei was an injury-prone reserve for Toronto FC in 2013. They traded him to Seattle for next to nothing, where he was able to beat out Michael Gspurning for the starting job. Although Frei performed well, the goalkeeper was viewed as a position of need by the fans. This feeling was heard through the Sounders’ fan base on March 6th, when Frei mishandled a rudimentary save, resulting in a goal and victory for Sporting Kansas City. However, after a heroic 10 save performance, Frei was named MLS Cup MVP.

Here's the moment! Roman Torres shoots @SoundersFC to their first #MLSCup! https://t.co/iDORGsF8bq

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 11, 2016

Centerback Roman Torres completed his own comeback story that night in Toronto as well. Hyped up as a marquee signing, Torres tore his ACL on September 15th, 2015, in a clash with the San Jose Earthquakes. It was only his third game. After strenuous rehab, he made his return on August 28th, in a 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Portland Timbers. Torres proved to be the missing piece in the Seattle backline and helped the Sounders to become one of the best defensive teams down the stretch and into the postseason. This was best exemplified by his absolute shutdown of Toronto FC and USMNT superstar Jozy Altidore. While not known for his scoring prowess, it was Torres who wrote himself into Sounder folklore by converting the game winning penalty, completing his comeback.

Seattle is unlike most cities in the United States, in the fact that soccer is considered a major sport. Sounders games draw upwards of 60,000 people and Sounders attire can be seen throughout the city. After coming of so close multiple times, finally getting over the line has been celebrated by supporters throughout the town.

“I think Seattle sports fans have been down ever since the Seahawks lost the Super Bowl,” said senior Micah Perry. “But the Sounders winning the cup isn’t just as good as a Super Bowl, I think it’s bigger.”

Fans echoed this sentiment by dancing with the team through downtown Seattle on December 13th for a victory parade.

Sounders fan rejoice, MLS Cup is finally rave green.