Brian Schmetzer will be patrolling the Seattle Sounders sideline for the foreseeable future, as the team announced his multi-year extension on Thursday. Already the only coach in American soccer history to have guided his teams to USL (2005, 2007), MLS (2016, 2019) and Concacaf Champions League (2022) titles, this year was arguably his most impressive coaching job.
“Brian has been an exceptional leader for this club, guiding us to multiple championships and consistently setting a high standard of success,” General Manager & Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel Said in a team release. “His deep connection to the city of Seattle and our fans makes him such an important figure for this team and community. Brian understands what it means to represent this city on and off the field, and we’re excited to continue building on the foundation he’s established and aim for even greater achievements together."
After starting the season just 1-5-3, which left owner Adrian Hanauer answering questions about his job security, Schmetzer led the Sounders to a 57-point season and finished fourth in the Western Conference. He is now 126-80-68 during parts of nine MLS seasons as Sounders head coach and ranks 11th all-time in regular-season wins. He’s also 17-6-3 in the playoffs, which gives him the third most wins and the best winning percentage (.712) of any coach with at least 10 games.
“I’m thrilled to continue this journey with Sounders FC, a community and club that mean so much to me,” said Schmetzer. “Seattle is my home, and there’s no place I’d rather be working. We’ve built something special here together, and I’m excited to keep pushing for more success alongside our passionate fans, exceptional staff and outstanding players. The work will not stop – we have many goals to achieve and more history to write. Doing it at a club during a time of such great opportunity in the city I love makes it even more meaningful.”
The timing of the announcement seems to be designed to send a message that he’s not coaching for his job in the playoffs. The Sounders will begin their quest for a third MLS Cup on Monday against the Houston Dynamo.
