In their 2009 inaugural MLS season, Seattle Sounders FC enjoyed a highly successful debut, finishing third in the Western Conference and fourth overall. Led by head coach Sigi Schmid, the expansion team made history by becoming the first to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs since 1998, though they were eliminated in the Conference Semifinals by the Houston Dynamo. The club also won the U.S. Open Cup by defeating D.C. United 2-1 and set league attendance records, driven by top scorer Fredy Montero's 12 league goals.