Schmid tabs Schmetzer as 1st Assistant Coach

Head coach Sigi Schmid has tabbed Seattle native Brian Schmetzer to be his first assistant coach in a move that ties the North American Soccer League Sounders and the United Soccer Leagues Sounders together with Sounders FC of Major League Soccer.

“I’m excited to work with Brian,” said Schmid, who became head coach Dec. 16. “He brings great
knowledge of the Seattle area, the history of the USL-1 Sounders, and a wealth of coaching experience. That, coupled with his past playing experience, makes him the ideal assistant coach.”

Schmetzer has nine years of experience coaching and 15 years of playing at the professional level. He was a member of six championship teams during that span.

"It's been a pretty easy transition," Schmetzer told the P-I in regards to becoming Schmid's assistant after being a head coach for seven seasons. "Both of us are German, so we get along great," he said. "We both are good guys. That's the best way I can put it. His ego is not very large. My ego is not very large. The more I talk to Sigi, the more similarities I find between his style and my style."

Slide Show: A few photos of Schmetzer over the years
Flashback: Read about Schmetzer the Sounders player, circa 1983

“Having been born and raised in Seattle, and having lived most of my life here, I love this city and I couldn’t have scripted a more perfect career path,” said Schmetzer. “I feel lucky, first to have been chosen to coach the USL Sounders, then to be considered along with Sigi and some other outstanding candidates for the MLS head coaching job. Now, I’m working with a great coach in Sigi, in my home city for what is rapidly becoming the best club in the business. It seems everything is falling into place.”

Read the entire press release in PDF format here.

Photo credit: Brian Schmetzer talks with a Sounders recruit at 2008 Media Day. (David Falk)