Sigi Schmid Signs Contract Extension

Sounders FC Head Coach Reaches Agreement Potentially Through 2015

RENTON, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC has signed head coach Sigi Schmid to a contract extension which could keep him with the club through the 2015 Major League Soccer season.

Schmid, 58, was named the first head coach of Sounders FC on December 16, 2008, and has guided the Rave Green to two consecutive Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championships and MLS Cup Playoff berths in both 2009 and 2010. Currently Seattle owns the second-highest point total in MLS and has advanced to the semifinal round of the 2011 Open Cup.

“From the moment we hired Sigi I knew it was the right decision, and that he was the right man for this particular club,” said Adrian Hanauer, Owner and General Manager. “I feel that even more strongly today.

“Beyond the victories and the trophies won, Sigi possesses a strong, positive character and he has represented himself and this club with tremendous class and professionalism,” added Hanauer. “Sigi is the right coach to lead us to more successes and more championships.”

Schmid is the MLS career leader in both regular season (148-107-82) and postseason wins (19-10-5). His teams have won two MLS Cups, two Supporters’ Shields (best record), and three Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups.

Two of those Open Cup triumphs have come with Seattle, which became the first club in 28 years to successfully repeat as champions. Sounders FC also became the first expansion team in 11 years to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2009 and qualified again in 2010. Schmid’s regular season record in Seattle is 35-21-25. Sounders FC is currently on a club record eight-match unbeaten run. In all competitions the team is 48-29-28.

“I have tremendously enjoyed my time so far in Seattle, and I’m excited about the opportunity to extend our relationship. The experience has been better than anyone could’ve expected,” said Schmid. “What we’ve been able to accomplish in the three years--especially when compared to other expansion clubs--is a tribute to the commitment of the organization, and I am more excited and more optimistic than when I came here for the first time in 2009, because I think we will continue to make the franchise and club a better product from year to year.

“This has been a collaborative effort. Working with the ownership, our GM/owner Adrian Hanauer and technical director Chris Henderson, has been very rewarding. The administrative support staff and especially the coaching staff have been phenomenal,” Schmid said. “They are very talented, they have worked extremely hard, and I look forward to continuing to work with them as we move forward as a team.”

Schmid has twice been named MLS Coach of the Year. His first Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup was won with the L.A. Galaxy. Before coming to Seattle he led the Columbus Crew to the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup title in 2008. His UCLA teams also won three NCAA Championships.

Sounders FC host the Colorado Rapids on Saturday at 1 p.m. on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.

Transaction: Seattle Sounders (MLS) – Head Coach Sigi Schmid signed contract extension