19 Facts About Brian Schmetzer

Brian Thomas Schmetzer was born on August 18,1962 and is an American soccer coach and former professional player.

Brian Schmetzer is the head coach of Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer, having been assistant coach for the team until Sigi Schmid's departure in 2016.

Brian Schmetzer learned to play soccer under the tutelage of his father Walter, who coached him with the Lake City Hawks youth team and led them to multiple state championships.

Walter instilled a love for the game in Brian Schmetzer, who became an outstanding youth and high school player.

Brian Schmetzer debuted during the 1982 season, playing six games, and was later elevated to regular appearances in 1983.

Brian Schmetzer moved again, this time to the San Diego Sockers.

Brian Schmetzer was with the Sockers for four seasons, winning an MISL title in three of them.

Gabriel and Brian Schmetzer would join up again when Brian Schmetzer became head coach of the Sounders with Gabriel as his assistant.

Brian Schmetzer was joined by his younger brothers Andy and Walt in 1985, signing with the club out of high school.

General manager Adrian Hanauer called Brian Schmetzer and asked him if he was interested in the job, interviewing the then-youth coach at a coffee shop on Capitol Hill.

Brian Schmetzer agreed and took the job in November 2001, with the 2002 season to make his mark on the team's fortunes.

In 2005, Brian Schmetzer again took the Sounders to the championship game, and defeated the Richmond Kickers in penalty kicks to take the title.

Brian Schmetzer was a finalist for the 2007 USL-1 Coach of the Year Award.

Brian Schmetzer was a candidate for the head coach position with Seattle Sounders FC.

The job eventually went to Sigi Schmid, who had previously coached the Los Angeles Galaxy and Columbus Crew, while Brian Schmetzer took the role as the top assistant.

On July 26,2016, Brian Schmetzer was named interim head coach of the Sounders after the departure of Sigi Schmid.

Brian Schmetzer was announced as the club's permanent head coach on November 2, after leading the Sounders to the 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs.

The next season, Brian Schmetzer led the team to a second-place finish in the Western Conference.

Brian Schmetzer earned his 100th MLS win on April 1,2023, against the LA Galaxy in the regular season.