Seattle Sounders FC announced today that it has signed Head Coach Sigi Schmid to a multiyear contract extension. The MLS all-time leader in career victories helmed Sounders FC to 20 wins in 2014 – an MLS record in the post-shootout era – capturing the Supporters’ Shield and the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Additional details of the agreement are not being disclosed per club policy.
“We’re proud to have Sigi as our Head Coach and are pleased to announce he’ll be continuing his great work with us in Seattle,” said Sounders FC Owner and General Manager Adrian Hanauer. “I’ve said it many times, but he’s not only a fantastic coach, but a fantastic human being and a great person in the community.”
Schmid, 61, was named the first Head Coach of Sounders FC on December 16, 2008, and has guided the Rave Green to six consecutive MLS Cup Playoffs berths, while also winning four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles in the club’s six-year MLS history. Seattle owns the second-highest point total in MLS since joining the league in 2009 (94-54-48, 330 points), and has advanced to the MLS Western Conference Championship twice.
“It feels great. I was happy to come here in 2009 and I haven’t regretted a moment I’ve been in Seattle,” said Schmid. “It’s great to continue to work in this organization — to work with Adrian, who is a friend, and to work with [Sporting Director] Chris Henderson, who is a friend as well. It’s something I’m looking forward to and I’m extremely excited about.”
A headshot of Schmid can be found here. Please credit Sounders FC Communications with any use.
Schmid guided Sounders FC to its most successful season in 2014 with a roster that included 16 new players from the previous season. Runner-up for the MLS Coach of the Year Award, he coached the club to its first Supporters’ Shield and fourth Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championship with a September 16 victory over Philadelphia at PPL Park. Seattle’s four U.S. Open Cups are tied with the Chicago Fire for the most titles among MLS teams.
“There’s nothing I want to do more than to bring an MLS Cup to this city and to these fans,” added Schmid. “Knowing that I have the opportunity to continue to try and do that is something I’m excited about and I’m really looking forward to.”
WATCH: Sounders FC season-ending press conference featuring Adrian Hanauer, Sigi Schmid and Chris Henderson: http://sndrs.com/blr8.
A 15-year MLS coaching veteran, Schmid is the league’s career leader in regular season wins (207-140-105) and is second in postseason wins (24-15-8). His teams have won two MLS Cups, three Supporters’ Shields and five Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups.
Schmid claimed his first Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup with the LA Galaxy in 2002, and before coming to Seattle he led the Columbus Crew to the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup title in 2008. He was named MLS Coach of the Year in his first season, 1999, as well as in 2008 with Columbus.
At the collegiate level, Schmid coached 19 years at his alma mater UCLA, accumulating a record of 322-63-33. He won three NCAA Championships (1985, 1990, 1997) and was named National Coach of the Year in 1997.
Transaction: Seattle Sounders FC signs Head Coach Sigi Schmid to multi-year contract extension.
