Brian Schmetzer was named the top assistant coach for Sigi Schmid’s staff on Dec. 22, 2008. He is one of the Puget Sound soccer community’s most recognizable figures after playing and coaching for the region’s top professional franchises since 1980.

Schmetzer, 46, joins Sounders FC following seven seasons as the head coach of the Sounders’ United Soccer Leagues First Division club. He guided Seattle to USL-1 championships in 2005 and 2007, and U.S. Open Cup semifinal advancements in 2007 and 2008.

Schmetzer has nine years of experience coaching and 15 years of playing at the professional level. He was a member of six championship teams during that span.

Schmetzer was head coach of the USL-1 Sounders from 2002-08. In addition to the two league championships, his teams also twice won the Commissioner’s Cup for the best record and qualified for the playoffs six of seven years. He was chosen USL-1 Coach of the Year in 2002 after going 23-4-1. The Sounders were league runners-up in 2004. His overall regular season record was 100-57-41.

Previously, he was assistant to Fernando Clavijo with the Seattle SeaDogs from 1996-97. Seattle won the Continental Indoor Soccer League title in 1997.

A Seattle native, Schmetzer signed with the Sounders’ North American Soccer League franchise following his graduation from Nathan Hale High School in 1980. He played three seasons as a midfielder for Seattle before going to Tulsa for the final NASL season in 1984.

Schmetzer signed with the San Diego Sockers in 1984 and played seven seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League with San Diego (1984-88), Tacoma (1988-90) and St. Louis (1990-91). He was a member of San Diego’s MISL championship teams in 1985, 1986 and 1988. He returned to Seattle for the Sounders’ inaugural A-League season in 1994 before completing his playing career with the SeaDogs from 1995-96.

In 1985, Schmetzer played on loan to FC Seattle, scoring twice in a 2-1 friendly win over Brazil’s Santos. While with Tacoma and FC Seattle, Schmetzer’s teammates included younger brothers Andy and Walter.

Schmetzer has three children, Daniela, Colin and Kian.