Photo by ISIphotos.com
Sigi Schmid is free at last.
Here is the announcement from MLS regarding an agreement reached between Columbus and Seattle over Schmid:
"Major League Soccer announced today that the Columbus Crew and Seattle Sounders FC resolved a potential contractual issue regarding former Crew coach Sigi Schmid. Columbus acquired allocation money and cash from Seattle, thus releasing Schmid from contractual obligations and allowing him to proceed with his contract negotiations with Seattle."
The best part of the league's release is this final line:
"In connection with this matter, Major League Soccer found no evidence of tampering by Seattle Sounders FC."
Right, so Seattle gave Columbus allocation money AND cash for the right to talk to a coach already out of contract because? Perhaps it was a gift for Columbus winning MLS Cup.
Now that this is out of the way we can get to the business of announcing the most drawn-out and anti-climactic coaching hire in MLS history. Schmid should be introduced shortly and the Seattle Sounders can move on to the business of continuing to build its team.
What do you think of this development? Give Columbus credit for squeezing an allocation and cash out of Seattle? Think the Sounders mishandled the courtship of Schmid? Do you believe MLS' claim that they no found no evidence of tampering? Are you buying the floated story about a non-compete clause in Schmid's Crew contract that would have extended beyond the life of his contract (a clause that multiple sources tell me didn't exist)?
Share your thoughts below.