Amidst the chaos of last Thursday’s 2-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps to send the Sounders to their second consecutive Western Conference Championship, an important one-year anniversary went seemingly unnoticed. On November 2, 2016, the Sounders officially named Brian Schmetzer as Head Coach.
“I have been at this club for a long time – that seemed another work day for me,” Schmetzer told media after training on Monday.
Schmetzer took over managerial duties in an interim role in July 2016, before guiding the Rave Green to the postseason, and eventually, their first MLS Cup. At the Annual Alliance Business Meeting a few months later, during the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs, the interim title was removed.
“We are excited to hire a person in Brian who has meant so much to the Sounders for so long," said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey last November. "Our club culture is of paramount importance to us and there could not be a better fit than Brian.”
Schmetzer served as the club’s Top Assistant Coach from 2009 – July 2016. Prior to the Sounders joining MLS, the Seattle native managed the Sounders in the USL from 2002-2008. He also had a 15-year professional playing career, including stints with the Sounders of the NASL from 1980-1983 and in the A-League in 1994.
It’s been a memorable first full year for Schmetzer, who once again has his club on a deep postseason run. After finishing second in the Western Conference in the regular season – in addition to the best home record in club history – the Sounders secured a spot in the Western Conference Championship where they'll face the Houston Dynamo beginning November 21.
Reflects Schmetzer: “[I am] happy to be here, [I am] proud of the club, [I am] proud of the accomplishments.
“We are a proud organization, we are a proud franchise. We live in a great city and do the sport we love and have some success at it. It’s been a great job.”
