Schmid finds sustained success against Colorado Rapids

Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid is the winningest coach in MLS history, and no team has fallen victim to his success more times than the Colorado Rapids. Of Schmid’s 213 regular season wins, 26 have come against the Rapids—the most of any opposing club. Schmid has faced 21 MLS franchises since joining MLS in 1999 with the LA Galaxy, and an impressive 12-percent have come against the Rapids.

Schmid has posted a 26-11-8 record against Colorado in the regular season, and a 32-12-8 record including MLS Cup Playoffs. In total, of the 52 meetings, the most of any club he has faced, Schmid’s teams have earned at least a point in 40 of them.

"I think we’ve done well when we go to Colorado. The plan I’ve always had is to go in as late as possible, to go in within 24 hours of the game," Schmid said. "That’s helped us playing in Colorado. There was a period of time where their team was up-and-coming and they were an up-and-down team, so that maybe helped us a little bit. There was a little motivation sometimes because of Robin Fraser, who played for me in LA – We ended up having to trade him to Colorado. So there’s maybe a little bit of motivation in those games…but sometimes it just works out that way with one team."

This is Sounders FC’s second match-up against the Rapids this season. In April, the Rave Green defeated Colorado at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park 3-1 but Schmid knows that his squad will be facing a revamped team that’s eager to earn points on the road.

“Colorado’s confident with their win at home this past week. It’s good that we’ve played them before [earlier this season],” said Schmid following a training session this week. “They have a number of new players so our guys know what they look like. They’re on the same rhythm as we are in terms of games so we’ll see what it brings.”

While with the LA Galaxy, Schmid went 11-8-4 against the Colorado, including a 1-2-0 record in his first year (one of just two losing seasons to the Rapids). In his stint with Columbus Crew SC, Schmid went 3-1-2 against Colorado. Now, in his active stretch with Sounders FC, Schmid has found the most success—posting a series record of 12-2-2. The MLS coaching veteran has faced Colorado at least twice in each of his 15 seasons, and has recorded a shutout in each campaign but one. 

In the MLS Cup Playoffs, Schmid has shown his continued dominance of the Rapids. Out of seven appearances against Colorado in the postseason, Schmid is 6-1-0, which, fittingly, is the best mark against any MLS opponent.

Sigi Schmid Most Wins vs. Opponent