Brian Schmetzer
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Brian Thomas Schmetzer[1] | ||
Date of birth | August 18, 1962 | ||
Place of birth | Seattle, Washington, U.S. | ||
Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||
Position(s) |
Forward / midfielder | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Seattle Sounders FC (head coach) | ||
Youth career | |||
1970–1980 | Lake City Hawks | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1980–1983 |
Seattle Sounders | 38 | (1) |
1980–1981 |
Seattle Sounders (indoor) | 12 | (4) |
1983–1984 |
Tulsa Roughnecks (indoor) | 31 | (8) |
1984 |
Tulsa Roughnecks | 20 | (1) |
1984–1988 |
San Diego Sockers (indoor) | 149 | (17) |
1985 | → F.C. Seattle (loan) | ? | (3) |
1988–1990 |
Tacoma Stars (indoor) | 56 | (17) |
1990–1991 | St. Louis Storm (indoor) | 48 | (9) |
1994 | Seattle Sounders | ||
1995 | Seattle SeaDogs (indoor) | 9 | (3) |
Managerial career | |||
1988–1989 |
Tacoma Stars (assistant) | ||
1996–1997 | Seattle SeaDogs (assistant) | ||
2002–2008 | Seattle Sounders | ||
2009–2016 | Seattle Sounders FC (assistant) | ||
2016– | Seattle Sounders FC | ||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Brian Thomas Schmetzer (born August 18, 1962) is an American
Early life
Schmetzer was born and grew up in
Professional career
NASL
After graduating from high school, Schmetzer chose to forego college and signed with the
With the demise of the Sounders, Schmetzer moved to the
Indoor
Schmetzer moved again, this time to the
Following the Sockers championship victory in 1985, San Diego loaned Schmetzer to
In 1994, he came out of retirement to sign a one-year contract with the expansion Seattle Sounders of the American Professional Soccer League.[14][15] In 1995, he played for the Seattle SeaDogs of the Continental Indoor Soccer League at the age of 32, after being selected in the league draft.[16][17]
Coaching career
While Schmetzer began his coaching career as a player-assistant coach with the Tacoma Stars, he became a dedicated assistant coach when he moved to the Seattle SeaDogs of the Continental Indoor Soccer League (CISL) in 1995. Fernando Clavijo coached the SeaDogs, which lasted only three seasons before the league folded.[18] However, they did win the CISL championship their last season, 1997.[19] Schmetzer spent a few years with the Emerald City Football Club, coaching youth soccer, while also managing a construction business shared with Dick McCormick.[20]
United Soccer League
After the 2001 season, the Seattle Sounders found themselves without a head coach after firing Bernie James, their first and until then only coach. General manager Adrian Hanauer called Schmetzer and asked him if he was interested in the job, interviewing the then-youth coach at a coffee shop on Capitol Hill.[18] Schmetzer agreed and took the job in November 2001, with the 2002 season to make his mark on the team's fortunes.[21][22] During his first season as head coach, the Sounders logged a 23–4–1 record, the second-best record in A-League history, and Schmetzer was named Coach of the Year.[23] The Sounders' record, including a 14–2–0 start, was credited to Schmetzer's use of veteran players and key free-agent signings to boost offensive capabilities.[24] In 2004, he coached the Sounders to the A-League championship game where the team lost to the Montreal Impact. In 2005, Schmetzer again took the Sounders to the championship game (under the re-branded USL First Division), and defeated the Richmond Kickers in penalty kicks to take the title.[25][26]
Schmetzer was a finalist for the 2007 USL-1 Coach of the Year Award. Although the team had started the season 1–3–4, they went on to claim the Commissioner's Cup for the league's best regular-season record. The team also had a 15-game unbeaten run that included MLS opponents in the
Major League Soccer
Schmetzer was a candidate for the head coach position with Seattle Sounders FC. The job eventually went to
On July 26, 2016, Schmetzer was named interim head coach of the Sounders after the departure of Sigi Schmid.[33] He was announced as the club's permanent head coach on November 2, after leading the Sounders to the 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs.[34] The Sounders would win their first MLS Cup on December 10, 2016, defeating Toronto FC in a penalty shootout, and repeated as Western Conference champions the following season.[35] After losing to Toronto FC in a rematch at MLS Cup 2017, Schmetzer publicly set a goal for the Sounders to host an MLS Cup final in Seattle, which would be accomplished two seasons later. Schmetzer said," Great coaches see the full person first, the athlete second. They understand that wins come and losses go, but the lives they shape endure. Master that balance and you lift others beyond constraints.".[36]
During the 2018 season, the Sounders started slowly once again, winning only 4 games, 5 draws, and 9 losses in the first 18 weeks. However, after a week 18 draw, the club would break the MLS record for most consecutive wins in the post-shootout era, winning nine consecutive matches before eventually losing to the Philadelphia Union on September 19.[37] Seattle then faced the Portland Timbers in the Conference Semifinals, losing the away leg 2–1 and winning the home leg 3–2 to tie the series on aggregate after extra time. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Portland won 4–2; the home leg is considered to be one of the best playoff matches in league history due to its dramatic finish.[38][39]
The next season, Schmetzer led the team to a second-place finish in the Western Conference. During the playoffs, the Sounders would defeat the Supporters' Shield winning-team LAFC in the Conference Finals, leading them to face Toronto FC in the MLS Cup final for the third time in 4 years. The Sounders won the game 3-1 in front of a franchise-record 69,274 fans at CenturyLink Field.[40][41] It would be Schmetzer's second MLS Cup with the team, and including the two League championships he won as manager of the USL Sounders, his fourth overall championship for Seattle.
In the
Schmetzer earned his 100th MLS win on April 1, 2023, against the LA Galaxy in the regular season. It was his 212th match in charge and made him the third-fastest coach in league history to reach 100 victories behind Bob Bradley and Bruce Arena—both during the shootout era.[44]
Coaching record
- As of April 21, 2024[45]
Team | League | From | To | Record3 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | ||||
Seattle Sounders | USL | November 29, 2001 | December 16, 20081 | 239 | 121 | 48 | 70 | 372 | 266 | +106 | 50.63 |
Seattle Sounders FC | MLS | July 26, 20162 | present | 301 | 137 | 73 | 91 | 463 | 351 | +112 | 45.51 |
Total | 540 | 258 | 121 | 161 | 835 | 617 | +218 | 47.78 |
1.^ Team dissolved
2.^ Interim as assistant coach; later promoted to head coach
3.
Personal life
Schmetzer lives in Seattle with his wife Kirstine. They have six children and several grandchildren.[46][47]
Honors
Manager
Seattle Sounders (USL)
- USL: 2005, 2007
- Commissioner's Cup: 2002, 2007
- USL A-League Western Conference: 2004
- USL A-League Pacific Division: 2002, 2003
- Cascadia Cup: 2006, 2007
Seattle Sounders FC (as assistant coach)
- U.S. Open Cup: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014; runner-up: 2012
- Supporters' Shield: 2014; runner-up: 2011
- Cascadia Cup: 2011, 2015
Seattle Sounders FC
- CONCACAF Champions League: 2022
- MLS Cup: 2016, 2019; runner-up: 2017, 2020
- Western Conference: 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020
- Leagues Cup: runner-up: 2021
- Cascadia Cup: 2018, 2019, 2021
References
- ^ "FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2022 – Squad List: Seattle Sounders FC (USA)" (PDF). FIFA. February 7, 2023. p. 6. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ O'Keefe, Vince (March 8, 1980). "Walt's ways winning; big-league smile gone". The Seattle Times. p. D2.
- ^ Smith, Craig (February 21, 1979). "Schmetzer wins with the Hawks". The Seattle Times. p. H7.
- ^ Parietti, Walt (June 17, 1980). "Sounders' Davies: out of strep throat, into Hurricane". The Seattle Times. p. D3.
- ^ Smith, Craig (July 17, 1981). "Schmetzer's father knew best". The Seattle Times. p. D4.
- ^ "Schmetzer's goal helps Sounders blank Sockers". The Seattle Times. June 27, 1983. p. B3.
- ^ Massey, Matt (May 6, 2004). "Seattle Sounders: Kicking through the memories". The Seattle Times. p. C4. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- ^ Smith, Craig (July 12, 1983). "Experience, 'thinking' make Brian better". The Seattle Times. p. D3.
- ^ "NASL trying to keep Tulsa franchise alive". The Tampa Tribune. United Press International. December 30, 1983. p. C3. Retrieved April 11, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Parietti, Walt (June 9, 1985). "'FC Schmetzer'? Seattle team gets brotherly boost". The Seattle Times. p. D3.
- ^ Smith, Craig (June 10, 1985). "Only 4,180 see Seattle top Brazil's Santos, 2–1". The Seattle Times. p. B5.
- ^ "Stars sign Schmetzer". The Seattle Times. August 19, 1988. p. C3.
- ^ Milles, Todd (December 9, 2016). "Schmetzer's journey takes him to the biggest game". The News Tribune. p. B1. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
- ^ 1994 Sounders roster Archived March 22, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Sounders sign 3 players to one-year contracts". The Seattle Times. July 3, 1994. p. C10.
- ^ Sherwin, Bob (May 5, 1995). "Sounders set to kick off". The Seattle Times. p. E1. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- ^ "SeaDogs take Chung with No. 1". The Seattle Times. April 21, 1995. p. D6.
- ^ a b Pentz, Matt (November 5, 2016). "Five meetings that shaped newly-minted Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer's career". The Seattle Times. p. C1. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
- ^ Almond, Elliott (December 24, 1997). "With CISL dead, SeaDogs weigh their options to keep kicking". The Seattle Times. p. C1. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
- ^ Pentz, Matt (August 20, 2016). "Who is Sounders interim coach Brian Schmetzer? 'He's a good pro, a hard worker. He's endured.'". The Seattle Times. p. C1. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- ^ Massey, Matt (November 30, 2001). "Schmetzer to push young, local talent". The Seattle Times. p. D7. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
- ^ Massey, Matt (May 4, 2002). "Sounders get an A for new additions". The Seattle Times. p. D4. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- ^ Massey, Matt (September 28, 2002). "Sounders' O'Brien voted A-League MVP". The Seattle Times. p. D2.
- ^ Massey, Matt (July 10, 2002). "Opponents can't beat Sounders' new system". The Seattle Times. p. D8.
- ^ Massey, Matt (October 3, 2005). "Sounders savoring the title". The Seattle Times. p. D14. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- ^ Massey, Matt (September 30, 2005). "Coach's direct approach guides Sounders to final". The Seattle Times. p. C1. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- ^ Gaschk, Matt (September 30, 2007). "After slow start, Sounders win title, ponder future". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved January 7, 2010.
- ^ "Seattle Sounders lifer Brian Schmetzer gets just reward with MLS Cup berth". Fox Sports. June 30, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
- ^ Romero, José Miguel Romero (December 23, 2008). "Sounders FC hire Brian Schmetzer as top assistant". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 7, 2010.
- ^ "Sounders FC names Brian Schmetzer Head Coach" (Press release). Seattle Sounders FC. November 2, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- ^ Meyers, Joshua (June 12, 2012). "Sounders FC's Brian Schmetzer ready for next coaching step". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
- ^ Carlisle, Jeff (December 4, 2013). "F.C. Dallas target Schelotto". ESPN FC. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
- ^ Pentz, Matt (July 26, 2016). "Sounders part ways with longtime coach Sigi Schmid". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
- ^ Pentz, Matt (November 2, 2016). "Sounders remove interim tag, hire coach Brian Schmetzer on a full-time basis". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- ^ Baker, Geoff (December 6, 2017). "Could Sounders enter 'dynasty' conversation if they win MLS Cup?". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
- ^ Krasnoo, Ryan (December 9, 2017). "Seattle Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer praises team effort, uses MLS Cup loss as chance to learn". Seattle Sounders FC. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
- ^ Liljenwall, Ari (September 19, 2018). "Amazed at nine-game winning streak, Sounders not ready to talk history yet". Major League Soccer. Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
- ^ Baker, Geoff (November 8, 2018). "Cascadia classic: Sounders' season ends on penalty kicks in wild loss to Timbers". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
- ^ Creditor, Avi (November 9, 2018). "Timbers Outlast Rival Sounders in PKs to Advance After MLS Playoff Classic". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
- ^ Rosano, Nick (November 10, 2019). "Seattle Sounders FC 3, Toronto FC 1 | 2019 MLS Cup Match Recap". Retrieved November 11, 2019.
- ^ Bogert, Tom (November 10, 2019). "2019 MLS Cup breaks Seattle Sounders all-time attendance record". Retrieved November 11, 2019.
- ^ Creditor, Avi (May 4, 2022). "Seattle Ends MLS's CCL Futility, Routs Pumas to Win Concacaf's Title". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
- ^ Kennedy, Paul (May 4, 2022). "Sounders have chance to make history for MLS, but most of all reward Seattle fans". Soccer America. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Lantz, Shane (April 1, 2023). "Jordan Morris keeps the scoring going as Sounders beat Galaxy". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ "Brian Schmetzer career sheet". footballdatabase. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ Boehm, Charles (June 16, 2020). "Seattle Sounders' Brian Schmetzer on balance between safety, support as MLS returns to play". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ Pentz, Matt (June 23, 2020). "Q&A: Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer on managing from afar". The Athletic. Retrieved April 16, 2023.