Seattle Sounders soccer coach Brian Schmetzer stands in front of a tactical board displaying a soccer field diagram with red and blue player markers and yellow arrows, explaining team strategy while gesturing in a dark blue suit and white shirt.
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Brian Schmetzer – Professional Portfolio

On Sep 24, 2023
Don Carlson 39 Articles
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Introduction

Welcome to SCPPNews, today is about the professional portfolio of Brian Schmetzer or Brian Thomas Schmetzer, a renowned figure in American soccer. Born on August 18, 1962, in Seattle, Washington, Brian has carved out an impressive career both as a player and a coach. His journey from the playing fields of various leagues to the coaching realm of Major League Soccer (MLS) is a testament to his dedication and love for the sport. This portfolio provides an in-depth look at his career, achievements, and contributions to soccer.

In July 2016, the Seattle Sounders were 6-12-2 and had just lost their coach. Their season looked finished. Then a local legend took over. Less than five months later, Brian Schmetzer had the club holding the MLS Cup twice.

That is the story of the man who leads the Sounders today. It is also a Seattle story. Schmetzer was born in the city, played for the original Sounders and worked his way up through the lower leagues. As of September 22, 2023, he is still the head coach as Seattle pushes for the 2023 playoffs.

Quick Personal Information Facts About Brian Schmetzer

Career Overview of Brian Schmetzer

Our keyphrase, Brian Schmetzer, is an American soccer coach and retired player. He is the head coach of the Seattle Sounders FC, a team in Major League Soccer (MLS). He joined the team in 2016, initially serving as an assistant coach until Sigi Schmid’s departure. Before that, he coached the Seattle Sounders in the USL First Division for seven seasons, winning two championships.

Playing Career Brian Schmetzer

Brian Schmetzer had a successful playing career spanning several years and teams. He played for various Seattle teams in the North American Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League and Western Soccer League. Some of the teams he played for include:

  • Seattle Sounders (1980–1983)
  • Tulsa Roughnecks (1983–1984)
  • San Diego Sockers (1984–1988)
  • Tacoma Stars (1988–1990)
  • St. Louis Storm (1990–1991)

Coaching Career

Brian Schmetzer’s coaching career is marked by significant achievements and contributions to soccer. His coaching journey includes:

  • Tacoma Stars (assistant coach, 1988–1989)
  • Seattle SeaDogs (assistant coach, 1996–1997)
  • Seattle Sounders (2002–2008)
  • Seattle Sounders FC (assistant coach, 2009–2016)
  • Seattle Sounders FC (head coach, 2016–present)

Under his leadership, the Seattle Sounders FC has seen remarkable success. Since taking over in 2016, Brian Schmetzer has led Sounders FC to the MLS Cup Final in four of his first five seasons (2016, 2017, 2019, 2020). They include a pair of championship wins over Toronto FC in 2016 and 2019. Through the 2020 season, Sounders FC’s 235 regular season points under Schmetzer are more than any other team in MLS.

Achievements: From Brian Schmetzer MLS Coach Cup to Supporters’ Shield

Coaching Style of Brian Schmetzer

Brian Schmetzer’s coaching style is influenced by his playing days across outdoor and indoor professional soccer. The indoor game has shaped his philosophy as a coach. He is known for his ability to reorganize the locker room, sort out the team’s unique tactical puzzle and guide the Sounders to their first MLS Cup championship in eight MLS seasons.

Seattle Sounders soccer coach Brian Schmetzer stands in front of a tactical board displaying a soccer field diagram with red and blue player markers and yellow arrows, explaining team strategy while gesturing in a dark blue suit and white shirt.

Brian Schmetzer Growing Up in Lake City and His Dream

Schmetzer learned the game from his father, Walter. Walter came to Washington from Germany and worked as a machinist. He also coached youth soccer in Seattle. According to Fox Sports, he took Brian’s Lake City Hawks team to West Germany during the 1974 World Cup.

Brian became a standout at Nathan Hale High School. In 1980, right after graduation, he signed with the Sounders of the North American Soccer League (NASL). The MLS profile of his journey calls it a quintessential Seattle path.

The Playing Years: NASL and Indoor Soccer

Schmetzer’s playing career took him in and out of Seattle. He played professional indoor soccer, including with the San Diego Sockers and the Tacoma Stars. By one count, he played 415 indoor matches and scored 67 goals.

One game stands out. In 1985, he played on loan for FC Seattle and scored twice in a 2-1 friendly win over Brazil’s Santos. His younger twin brothers, Andy and Walter Jr., played alongside him. He returned to the Sounders for their first A-League season in 1994. He finished his playing days with the Seattle SeaDogs in 1995 and 1996.

Learning to Coach in Tacoma, With the SeaDogs and the USL Sounders

His coaching career started while he was still playing. He served as a player-assistant with the Tacoma Stars. He then became a full-time assistant with the SeaDogs, who won the Continental Indoor Soccer League title in 1997.

The Sounders hired him as head coach after the 2001 season. His first year was spectacular, with a 23-4-1 record and a Coach of the Year award. He led the USL Sounders until 2008. His record was 122-69-46, and he won two league titles.

Assistant to Sigi Schmid, Then a Midseason Rescue

When Seattle joined MLS in 2009, Schmetzer became a top assistant to Sigi Schmid, the winningest coach in MLS history. He held that job until July 2016. Schmid left with the team at 6-12-2. Schmetzer stepped in as interim coach.

He fixed the team fast. Seattle went 8-2-4 the rest of the way and reached the playoffs. The Sounders then beat Sporting Kansas City, coached by Peter Vermes, and FC Dallas. In the Western Conference final, they beat the Colorado Rapids. Colorado fans can follow today’s MLS season in our Colorado soccer recap.

The club removed his interim tag on November 2, 2016. Then came MLS Cup on December 10 at BMO Field in Toronto. The game ended 0-0 after extra time. Seattle won on penalties, and goalkeeper Stefan Frei saved Jozy Altidore’s header in extra time. Schmetzer became the first coach in MLS history to win the title after taking over midseason.

Four MLS Cup Finals in Five Seasons

Seattle did not fade after that win. Under Schmetzer, the Sounders reached the MLS Cup final in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020. They lost in 2017 and 2020.

The 2019 final was the high point. Seattle beat Toronto FC 3-1 in front of a record 69,274 fans at the stadium then known as CenturyLink Field. Today it is called Lumen Field. Schmetzer later called that night the pinnacle of his career.

The Champions League High and a Hard Fall

In 2022, Seattle did something no MLS team had done. It won the modern Concacaf Champions League by beating Pumas UNAM. The title also earned the club a place at the FIFA Club World Cup.

The season ended badly in MLS. Seattle missed the playoffs for the first time since joining the league in 2009, which ended a 13-year streak. Schmetzer said he accepted responsibility. You can read the full season details on the 2022 Sounders season page.

The 2023 Playoff Chase

This season has tested him again. The Sounders went six games without a win this summer. They also finished third in their Leagues Cup group, in a tournament that put Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami debut in the spotlight.

Then came a 2-1 road win at Austin FC on August 30. Schmetzer rested several regulars and gave minutes to young players such as Josh Atencio, Reed Baker-Whiting and Ethan Dobbelaere. That move shows his style. He trusts his roster and he trusts youth.

Humble, Loyal and Rooted in Seattle

Schmetzer is known for a calm, humble approach. Forward Jordan Morris, a Mercer Island native, has said it feels special to play for a hometown club under a hometown coach. In the Fox Sports story mentioned above, the club is also described as one of the most consistent winners in American pro sports.

He also gave early chances to young players such as Morris and Cristian Roldan. He then added stars like Nicolas Lodeiro and Roman Torres. That mix of local talent and global quality became the base of the 2016 title run.

A Seattle Legacy That Keeps Growing

Schmetzer has been part of Seattle soccer for more than four decades. He has seen the club grow from the NASL years to packed crowds at Lumen Field. The club traces its roots to 1974, so its 50th anniversary arrives in 2024. That milestone makes his hometown story even stronger.

Want the career facts in one place? Read our Brian Schmetzer Professional Portfolio.

Brian Schmetzer FAQ

How old is Brian Schmetzer?
He was born on August 18, 1962, so he is 61 years old as of September 22, 2023.

How many MLS Cups has Brian Schmetzer won?
He has won two, in 2016 and 2019.

When did Schmetzer become the Sounders head coach?
He became interim coach on July 26, 2016. The club made him the permanent coach on November 2, 2016.

Is Brian Schmetzer from Seattle?
Yes. He was born in Seattle and grew up in the Lake City neighborhood.

Sources and Further Reading

Achievements

  • USL First Division Championships: 2005, 2007
  • MLS Cup Championships: 2016, 2019
  • Highest winning percentage in postseason history

References

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