Seattle Sounders players celebrate with the championship trophy after the team beat Minnesota United in an MLS playoff Western Conference final soccer match, Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)SEATTLE – As the confetti flew and the fireworks popped before an empty stadium, the Seattle Sounders were handed the Western Conference championship trophy for the fourth time in five years. Only a few minutes earlier, the Sounders appeared on the verge of relinquishing their claim of being defending MLS Cup champions. Seattle is just the second team in MLS history to reach the final four times in five seasons, joining DC United in the first seasons of the league. It was just the second time in team history two different substitutes scored for the Sounders.