I’m Don Carlston, a journalist who has worked on this article for SCPPNews. I have been covering soccer news and events in the United States for over 10 years with different platforms. I’m also a fan of many professional soccer clubs and coaches. In this article, I will tell you about Brian Schmetzer MLS coach. The manager of the Sounders, and his remarkable journey from playing to coaching soccer in Seattle. I will also share with you his achievements, personality, and legacy. I hope you enjoy reading this article and learn more about Brian Schmetzer, the man behind Seattle Sounders’ success.
Brian Schmetzer MLS coach managing the Seattle Sounders FC. This MLS soccer club is one of the most successful teams in Major League Soccer (MLS). Having won two MLS Cup titles, four Western Conference championships, and one Supporters’ Shield since joining the league in 2009. But who is the man behind this impressive record? His name is Brian Schmetzer, the head coach of the Sounders since 2016. In this article, we will explore his playing and coaching career, his achievements, his personality, and his legacy.
From NASL to indoor soccer: Schmetzer’s playing career
Brian Schmetzer is not a newcomer to the Seattle soccer scene. He was born and raised in the city, where he learned to play soccer from his father Walter. A former German professional player who immigrated to the US in 1962. Schmetzer played for the original Seattle Sounders in the North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1980 to 1983. Scoring his first goal for the club in a 2–0 win over the San Diego Sockers in 1983. He also played for various indoor soccer teams. Including the San Diego Sockers, Tacoma Stars, and Seattle SeaDogs, before retiring as a player in 1995.
From USL to MLS: Schmetzer’s coaching career
Winning titles and awards in USL
Schmetzer started his coaching career as an assistant for the Tacoma Stars in 1988. He then joined the Seattle SeaDogs as an assistant. Where he helped them win the Continental Indoor Soccer League title in 1997. The Seattle Sounders in the USL First Division hired him as their head coach in 2002. Where he led them to two championships in 2005 and 2007. He also earned the USL Coach of the Year award twice, in 2002 and 2007.
Assisting Schmid and taking over in MLS
In 2009, Schmetzer joined MLS as an assistant coach for Seattle Sounders FC under Sigi Schmid, one of the most decorated coaches in American soccer history. Schmetzer helped Schmid guide the Sounders to four US Open Cup titles, one Supporters’ Shield, and three Western Conference finals. When Schmid left the club in July 2016, Schmetzer was named as the interim head coach.
Turning around the team and winning the first MLS Cup
Schmetzer’s first task was to turn around a struggling team that was ninth in the Western Conference with a 6-12-2 record. He did so by instilling confidence, discipline, and teamwork in his players, as well as making tactical adjustments that suited their strengths. He also gave more opportunities to young talents like Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan, and integrated new signings like Nicolas Lodeiro and Roman Torres.
The result was a remarkable turnaround that saw the Sounders finish fourth in the West with an 8-2-4 record under Schmetzer. They then went on to beat Sporting Kansas City, FC Dallas, and Colorado Rapids in the playoffs to reach their first MLS Cup final. There, they faced Toronto FC at BMO Field on December 10, 2016. After a goalless 120 minutes, the Sounders won their first MLS Cup title on penalties, with goalkeeper Stefan Frei making a spectacular save on Jozy Altidore’s header in extra time.
Leading the team to more success and records
Schmetzer was officially named as the permanent head coach of the Sounders on November 2, 2016. Since then, he has continued to lead the team to success, reaching four MLS Cup finals in five seasons (2016, 2017, 2019, and 2020). He won his second MLS Cup title in 2019, when the Sounders beat Toronto FC again, this time by a score of 3-1 at Lumen Field in front of a record crowd of 69,274 fans. He also won his first Western Conference regular season title in 2020, finishing ahead of Sporting Kansas City on goal difference.
Achievements: From Brian Schmetzer MLS Coach Cup to Supporters’ Shield
Brian Schmetzer MLS coach’s record as a head coach of the Sounders is impressive: he has won 76 games, drawn 39 games, and lost only 29 games in regular season play. He has also won 15 games and lost only four games in postseason play. His postseason winning percentage of .726 is the highest of any coach in MLS history. He has also maintained an unbeaten home record in playoff games at Lumen Field (12-0-0).
Humble, passionate, and loyal: Brian Schmetzer MLS Coach’s personality
His players, staff, fans, and peers respect and admire Schmetzer for his humble personality, his passion for soccer, and his loyalty to Seattle. He often wears a scarf with the words “Seattle Til I Die”, a motto that shows his deep connection to his hometown and its soccer culture. He also gives motivational speeches before games, where he reminds his players of their responsibility to represent Seattle and its fans.
A soccer legend in Seattle: Schmetzer’s legacy
Schmetzer is not only a successful coach but also a soccer legend in Seattle. For over four decades, he has been involved with soccer in the city, as a player, a coach, and a fan. He has seen the growth and evolution of soccer in Seattle, from the NASL era to the MLS era, from the Kingdome to Lumen Field, from the original Sounders to the current Sounders. He has played a part in Seattle’s soccer history, and he has also created history with his achievements.
Brian Schmetzer is the man behind Seattle Sounders’ success, and he is also the man who embodies Seattle’s soccer spirit.
References:
: [Brian Schmetzer – The New York Times Company] : [Seattle Sounders FC win first MLS Cup in penalty shootout over Toronto FC] : [Stefan Frei’s incredible save helps Sounders win MLS Cup] : [Sounders FC names Brian Schmetzer Head Coach] : [Seattle Sounders win second MLS Cup title in club history] : [Seattle Sounders 3-1 Toronto FC: MLS Cup final – as it happened] : [Lumen Field – Wikipedia] : [Sounders set new MLS Cup attendance record with 69,274 fans at CenturyLink Field] : [Sounders clinch first-ever Western Conference regular season title] : [MLS Standings 2020] : [Brian Schmetzer – Coach Profile | Transfermarkt] : [Seattle Til I Die Scarf | Ruffneck Scarves]