The Seattle Sounders will honor former player Will Bruin prior to Saturday night’s home match against LAFC (7:30 p.m. PT; MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360AM | TICKETS) as part of the 50th Anniversary celebration.
It wasn't long ago when Bruin was wearing the Sounders crest and representing the city of Seattle in Major League Soccer.
From 2017 to 2022, Bruin played a key role during an unprecedented era of success for the organization.
“I loved my time with Seattle,” said Bruin.
The forward supported the Sounders to three Western Conference titles, the 2019 MLS Cup and the team’s historic run toward its first-ever CONCACAF Champions League trophy in 2022 to cap off his time with the club.
“It was definitely a good way to go out,” said Bruin. “I still remember that that was something no MLS team has done, so it was awesome to be part of that team that made history within the league and regionally.”
He closed out his six-year tenure with the Sounders posting 32 goals across all-competitions, putting him in the top 10 for most goals-scored in the Sounders MLS era.
“When I was there, we had a really good core group of guys that stuck around for a long time and success followed,” said Bruin.
Totaling 80 goals and 34 assists in 329 career matches, Bruin was one of the most productive American players throughout his time in the league. He was an impactful asset and fan favorite for each of the three teams he represented.
Bruin played for the Houston Dynamo for six years prior to joining Seattle and spent one season with Austin FC before retiring after 13 years in MLS, but he continues to look back on his experience with the Sounders as the most memorable part of his professional soccer journey.
“With all the success we had, all the trophies we won, it was probably my favorite portion of my career, to be honest,” said Bruin.
The club’s high standard for the team was something Bruin respected and valued as a professional soccer player navigating the MLS landscape.
“There was an expectation to win every time you step on the field when you're with Seattle whereas other places sometimes you walk onto the field and you're hoping to win,” said Bruin.
But, it was the “family environment’” the organization embodied that he felt most connected to during his stint in Seattle.
“Everybody there cares about everybody in the whole club…There's a good family feel there and it's just a welcoming place to be and somewhere that you feel comfortable in,” said Bruin. “I think that's a big reason for the success that they have year in and year out.”
The St. Louis native currently resides in Austin, Texas with his three sons and his wife, Caitlin, but his hope is to one day make his way back to the Pacific Northwest and the city of Seattle.
“Seattle will always be a place that's like home to us,” said Bruin. “So who knows what the future is going to bring.”
Seven months into retirement, Bruin is looking to jump into the coaching space after recently completing his US Soccer B license, while also transitioning into a career in finance. His long-term future, however, is to integrate himself back with the club to some capacity.
“If the opportunity at the Sounders came up, I would for sure jump on it,” said Bruin. “It's a great club to work for and I've seen it firsthand, experienced it firsthand, and that's definitely something I'm kind of mapping out down the road.”
But for now, he’s looking forward to this weekend at Lumen Field, where he will be recognized for his past achievements with the club.
“I'm super excited to be back and see everybody, see the fans, and just see the atmosphere,” said Bruin. “It'll put a smile on my face, that's for sure.”
