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Thousands pack downtown for Sounders parade

SEATTLE — Thousands of fans packed the streets of downtown Seattle on Tuesday to celebrate the Sounders’ first-ever MLS Cup win.

Here are five things to know about the festivities that brought a sea of blue and green through Belltown to the Seattle Center.

>> PHOTOS: Sounders' MLS Cup victory march

Players show enthusiasm at Westlake Center rally 

The start of the mile-long parade route started at Westlake Center with the players greeting fans. Star players showed their enthusiasm.

As the march progressed, hundreds joined in

By the time the march made it to Bell Street and 4th Avenue, thousands of people surrounded the trolleys – marching to the celebration at Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion.

Two people arrested

Seattle Police Department reports that two people were arrested for climbing on trolleys.

Seattle police spokesman Sean Whitcomb says his department was focused the people attending the parade versus traffic.

Officers did not expect anything like the estimated 1 million people at the Seahawks Super Bowl parade-- more like tens of thousands, but the crowd control strategies were similar.

“We'll be on the route making sure people are safe, making sure the Sounders FC get from point A at Westlake to point B Seattle Center,” Whitcomb told KIRO 7 News on Monday.

Officer injured in crash with trolley

A Seattle bike officer was injured by a trolley near the parade route at Queen Anne Avenue and Mercer Street. KIRO 7 News contacted police for details.

Minimal traffic impacts despite route

Despite thousands of people marching and watching in downtown, traffic impacts were minimal. The route through 4th Avenue created worry for downtown drivers that congestion would be a problem.

The Seattle Department of Transportation advised people not attending the event to find routes around the downtown core.

>> PHOTOS: Seattle, Toronto face off in MLS Cup final, Dec. 10

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