Photo by Joshua Weisberg/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
It turns out Sigi Schmid will return as head coach of the Seattle Sounders in 2014.
Speculation over Schmid’s future in Seattle came to a close on Thursday as Sounders majority owner Joe Roth issued a statement backing Schmid as the head coach of the club. Many in recent weeks believed Schmid was going to be sent packing by the Sounders due to their ongoing struggles at the end of the regular season and failure to reach the MLS Cup, but that was not the decision Seattle’s brass made.
“Adrian Hanauer and I met to review all team aspects of the organization. After a thorough evaluation, there is no question that Sigi Schmid is the right man to lead our club,” said Roth in the statement. “While we are not happy with the way we finished, Sigi’s resume and accomplishments speak for themselves. We have been to the playoffs five-straight years, one of just three teams to have done that. Once you make the tournament you give yourself a chance to win the MLS Cup.
“Sigi has won two MLS Cups and it won’t be long before he does it here in Seattle. We continue to strive for excellence and we will do everything we can and give him all the resources possible to make that a reality.”
Schmid, who has won MLS Cups with the LA Galaxy and Columbus Crew, has been at the helm of Seattle since its inaugural season in 2009. He won three consecutive U.S. Open Cups from 2009 to 2011 with the Sounders, but has yet to reach the MLS Cup final despite boasting one of the more talented sides in the league.
This season, Schmid helped his Sounders overcome a slow start to become one of the hottest teams in the league. Late in the year, however, Seattle’s season unraveled and the club struggled its way into the playoffs before being ousted by the rival Portland Timbers in the Western Conference semifinals.
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What do you think of Seattle bringing back Schmid? Smart decision? Think it came down to what he has accomplished with the club or the fact that there might not be many quality head coaches up for grabs this offseason?
Share your thoughts below.