The Sounders earned a double for the first time in club history—winning their fourth U.S. Open Cup title and first Supporters' Shield as the best team in the MLS regular season.

[8][9] Sigi Schmid, entering his sixth season as head coach, consulted with key players in a series of summits and worked with general manager Adrian Hanauer to overhaul the team during the winter offseason.

Major players, including goalkeeper Michael Gspurning, midfielder Mauro Rosales, and forward Eddie Johnson, were traded to other teams or released.

New signings—described by majority owner Joe Roth as "more plumbers and less dancers"—included goalkeeper Stefan Frei, defender Chad Marshall, and several MLS veterans.

[11] During the winter offseason, midfielder Clint Dempsey joined his former club, Fulham FC in England's Premier League, for a two-month loan spell.

Other players acquired include midfielder Tristan Bowen (trade with Chivas USA for Mauro Rosales),[18] forward Chad Barrett (acquired with thirteenth pick in 2014 MLS Re-Entry Draft),[19] and defender Jalil Anibaba (trade with Chicago Fire for Patrick Ianni and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado).

Other notable off-season departures included midfielders Mauro Rosales (traded to Chivas USA for Tristan Bowen and the second Allocation Ranking for the 2014 season), Steve Zakuani (selected in Re-Entry Draft by Portland Timbers FC), Adam Moffat (traded to FC Dallas in exchange for Kenny Cooper),[14] defenders Marc Burch (selected in Re-Entry Draft by Colorado Rapids), Patrick Ianni and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (traded to Chicago Fire),[52] and goalkeeper Michael Gspurning (declined contract option).