2014 Record: 20-10-4, 64 pts, 1st in the Western Conference

Playoffs: Lost on away goals rule to Los Angeles Galaxy in Conference Finals

Additions: GK Troy Perkins, D Tyrone Mears, D Andres Correa, M Cristian Roldan, F Darwin Jones, F Andy Craven, F Victor Mansaray

There were no real big additions for the Seattle Sounders in the offseason other than the acquisitions of Tyrone Mears on a free transfer after being released by English side Bolton Wanderers. Many inside the Sounders organization feel they got the steal of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft when they were able to select University of Washington midfielder Cristian Roldan with the 16th overall pick. Roldan will be joining a very full midfield and will most likely see time at the USL level.

Goalkeeper Troy Perkins came over on a free transfer after spending a few forgettable seasons in Montreal. He will fill the vital role as backup to starter Stefan Frei. Perkins should see a lot of matches this year with the Sounders being involved in MLS, U.S. Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League play. He is filling the role that was held by Marcus Hahnemann the last few years. With Hahnemann retired, it was vital for the Sounders front office to find a reliable backup and they found it in Perkins.

The Sounders also singed two more homegrown players in the offseason in Victor Mansaray and Darwin Jones. Jones just finished his career at the University of Washington at the end of the 2014 season and can play forward or midfield if needed. Mansaray is one that Sounders fans should be excited about. He has played two seasons in the Sounders youth academy and scored 18 goals for the Sounders under-16 team. Mansaray also has played for the U.S. under-18 team. 

Departures: GK Marcus Hahnemann, GK Josh Ford, D Onyekachi Apam, D Djimi Traore, D Jalil Anibaba, D DeAndre Yedlin, D/F Eriq Zavaleta, M Sean Okoli, F Cam Weaver, F Tristan Bowen 

The Sounders lost a lot of players in the offseason. However, a majority of the players lost in the offseason were role players or seldom used. None of the departures were bigger than the loss of defender DeAndre Yedlin. Yedlin is now playing for Barclays Premier League side Tottenham Hotspurs. After only two years, Yedlin became one of the most loved players on the team and his pace and class on the right side of the field will be missed. Now the Sounders must find a way to replace the speedy youngster.

The loss of center back Djimi Traore was a big hit to the Sounders already depleted back line. Traore didn't play much last year due to an injury he suffered early in the season and decided to retire after the 2014 MLS season.

Projected Lineup:

(4-4-2) Stefan Frei; Tyrone Mears, Chad Marshall, Brad Evans, Leo Gonzalez; Marco Pappa, Micheal Azira, Gonzalo Pineda, Lamar Neagle; Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins

Season Outlook:

The Sounders are entering their seventh year as an MLS club and anything else than the boys in Rave Green lifting MLS Cup will be unacceptable. The club is coming off their fourth Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and first ever Supporters' Shield. Many would have liked to see head coach Sigi Schmid replaced at the end of the season and it is possibility if the Sounders don't bring home the cup at the end of the season.

The Western Conference became even more of a battle with the addition of Sporting KC and the Houston Dynamo. It won't be easy for the Sounders to repeat as shield holders or win their first MLS Cup. The Sounders have a dynamic group of forwards and midfielders. The main cause of worry is the Sounders back line. If the back line can be better than last year (not that hard to do), the Sounders will make a deep run in the playoffs again.

Projected Finish:

1st in the Western Conference. They will host their first ever MLS Cup and come out victorious over the New England Revolution.