Darren Sawatzky and the Sounders will not be denied. Sawatzky's goal in the 66th minute nudges Seattle past the Bay Area Seals, 2-1, for a ninth straight win in Hayward, Ca. Scott Jenkins puts the visitors up in the seventh minute but theSeals knot it by halftime. Craig Tomlinson wins possession and quickly finds Sawatzky for his 16th goal and ninth during the win streak.

Nicolas Lodeiro, maestro to the top achievements in Sounders history, makes his departure official after seven-plus seasons. Lodeiro, 34, is a free agent following the expiration of his contract. He pulled the strings in midfield but also commanded respect and was a respected captain. During his tenure, Seattle played in four MLS Cup finals (winning two) and became the first MLS club to win the Concacaf Champions League. A month later, on Jan. 4, 2024, Lodeiro signs with Orlando City.

Onetime Tacoma Stars standout Preki becomes the first two-time MLS Most Valuable Player at age 40. Pedrag Radosavljevic of Kansas City becomes the oldest MVP of a major American sports league. Preki, an MVP in the MISL and CISL previously, led the league in scoring with 12 goals and 17 assists.

Once more exhibiting an ability to shift into a higher gear come the second half, the Sounders remain undefeated and win their fourth in a row, 2-0, over LAFC. It matches 2019 for the best start in the MLS era (5-0-1). Xavier Arreaga flicks a near-post header from Joao Paulo's corner kick in the 57th minute. Then in the 73rd, Seattle’s wingbacks combine when Alex Roldan dinks a lofted ball for Brad Smith’s late-arriving run. Stefan Cleveland makes his first start with for the injured Stefan Frei and makes three saves. Seattle has outscored opponents 10-1 in the second half.

Behind 2-nil with under four minutes remaining, Seattle University stuns host Grand Canyon with a miraculous comeback and wins the WAC tournament in penalties in Phoenix, 2-2 (4-3). Sam Tessler sparks the rally with a header off a cross from James Morris in the 87th minute. Noe Meza then equalizes in the 89th minute on a free kick from 10 yards outside the box. In penalty kicks, GCU scores on its first attempt but Morris ties it at 1-1. In the tiebreaker, Akili Kasim saves the Antelopes' second and fifth penalties while the Redhawks go 4-for-4.

With wildfire smoke increasingly plaguing the Pacific Northwest, three women's collegiate contests are canceled across the state. Games at Western Washington, Gonzaga and Whitworth are nixed due to measurements registering above the recommended limit of 150 on the air quality index. None of the games are rescheduled.