A two-time MLS Coach of the Year, Schmid led Sounders FC to the postseason again in 2012, becoming just the second expansion side in MLS history to reach the playoffs four consecutive years while reaching the Western Conference Championship for the first time in club history.

After becoming the first team in 42 years to win three straight Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Championships in 2011, Sounders FC reached its fourth consecutive final in 2012, falling on the road in penalty kicks. Seattle beat Chicago, 2-0, in front of a record crowd on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field in 2011, defeated Columbus at home, 2-1, to win the 2010 title and D.C. United on the road, 2-1, to win the 2009 title.

In 2008, Schmid led his former club, the Columbus Crew, to its first MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield, earning MLS Coach of the Year honors.

From 1999 through 2004, Schmid’s L.A. Galaxy teams won four major competitions: 2002 MLS Cup, 2002 MLS Supporters’ Shield, 2001 U.S. Open Cup and the 2001 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

He was voted the MLS Coach of the Year in his first season, 1999. Altogether, his Galaxy teams were 79-53-32 and reached the MLS Cup final four times and won three division crowns.

Schmid ranks No. 1 in MLS career victories (172). Overall, Schmid’s record in MLS is 172-118-94. His combined postseason win total (22) is the second-highest in MLS history. Schmid (384) has coached the most games in MLS history.

Schmid is one of two coaches in MLS history to guide two different teams to MLS Cup titles. He is one of three to coach in four MLS Cup finals.

Schmid has twice served as U.S. U20 National Team head coach, most recently in 2005 at the FIFA World Championships. Schmid was an assistant to Bora Milutinovic on the Americans’ 1994 World Cup team. He also was head coach for the 1991 World University Games and 1995 Pan American Games.

Schmid first forged a winning tradition at his alma mater, UCLA. After serving as an assistant, he was elevated to head coach of the Bruins in 1980, beginning a 19-year run at the helm. His first NCAA championship was won in 1985 at Seattle’s Kingdome.

UCLA went on to claim two more national titles in 1990 and ’97. Schmid was named national coach of the year following the 1997 championship. When he left to take over the Galaxy, his UCLA teams had accumulated a record of 322-63-33.

Scores of Schmid’s UCLA players have played professionally and internationally, including Sounders FC technical director Chris Henderson (1989-90). Others include Brad Friedel, Cobi Jones, Paul Caligiuri,  Eddie Lewis and Carlos Bocanegra.

Schmid is a member of both the National Soccer and UCLA halls of fame. He was presented with the Walt Chyzowych Lifetime Achievement Award following the 2010 season.
Born in Tuebingin, Germany, Schmid relocated with his family to the U.S. in 1956, and to Torrance, Calif., in 1962. He was a four-year starter at UCLA (1972-75). He graduated with a B.S. Degree in Economics in 1976 and later earned a M.A. in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. Schmid is a Certified Public Accountant.