SEATTLE, WASH.– Sounders FC today announced that Head Coach Brian Schmetzer has signed a multiyear contract extension. The Seattle native has led Sounders FC to four MLS Cup appearances and two titles since taking over in the summer of 2016, amassing a 67-37-34 regular-season record, as well as a 15-4-2 mark in the postseason. Schmetzer continues his tenure with the Sounders that includes helming the USL side from 2002-2008 before serving as the club’s Top Assistant Coach at the MLS level under Sigi Schmid from 2009-2016.
“Brian Schmetzer and I have an almost 20-year history of working together. Although I never doubted Brian would be back in 2021 and beyond, I am grateful that he will continue to lead Sounders FC for years to come,” said Sounders FC Owner Adrian Hanauer. “Brian cares deeply for our club and community, he has a deep understanding of our culture and traditions, and no one is better poised to build upon the organization’s recent success.”
“It is with great pride that I will be able to continue coaching a club with such a rich history, winning tradition and positive community influence,” said Schmetzer. “I’d like to thank club ownership for this opportunity, as well as all of the current and former players, coaches and staff that have helped build something here I’m very proud of. Lastly, I’d like to thank the fans, who fuel everything we do inside of this club. Seattle is my home and I couldn’t be happier to be staying put.”
After taking over in July of 2016, Schmetzer has led Sounders FC to MLS Cup in four of his five seasons (2016, 2017, 2019, 2020), including a pair of championship wins over Toronto FC in 2016 and 2019, the latter of which came in front of 69,274 fans at CenturyLink Field – a record crowd for a soccer game in Washington State. Since Schmetzer took over, Sounders FC’s 235 regular season points are more than any other team in MLS, resulting in five appearances in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, four of which came as a top-two seed out of the Western Conference. His 15 postseason wins are already tied for third all-time in league history with Bob Bradley and Dominic Kinnear, trailing only Schmid and Bruce Arena, while his postseason winning percentage of .726 is first all-time. Under Schmetzer’s leadership, Sounders FC is 44-9-15 at home in regular season play, as well as a perfect 12-0-0 postseason mark at Lumen Field.
“I never had any doubt that Brian Schmetzer would be our Head Coach, but it’s exciting to officially announce his extension and get to work going forward,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “Brian’s track record speaks for itself, and his connection to this club and this city is immeasurable. I look forward to the seasons to come.”
One of the Puget Sound soccer community’s most recognizable and respected figures, Schmetzer has played and coached the region’s top professional franchises since 1980. He served seven seasons as the Head Coach of the Sounders’ United Soccer League’s First Division club, accumulating a 100-57-41 record from 2002-2008 before making the jump to MLS. He guided Seattle to two USL-1 championships (2005, 2007), two Commissioner’s Cups for the league’s best record (2002, 2007), six playoff appearances in seven seasons and two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal appearances (2007, 2008). He was chosen USL-1 Coach of the Year in 2002 after going 23-4-1.
Prior to his coaching career, Schmetzer spent 15 professional seasons as a player, first signing with the Sounders’ North American Soccer League franchise following his graduation from Seattle’s Nathan Hale High School in 1980. He notably spent seven seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League from 1984-1991, winning three championships with the San Diego Sockers (1985, 1986, 1988).
