Academy a No-Brainer for Prideaux

Entering his third year as an assistant coach at the University of Washington, Brandon Prideaux now joins the Sounders FC Academy coaching staff as an assistant coach.

As a youth soccer player in the Seattle area, Brandon Prideaux was trained by a slew of soccer coaches who had come to Seattle to play in the North American Soccer League.

Now entering his third year as an assistant coach at the University of Washington, Prideaux will now join the Sounders FC Academy coaching staff as an assistant coach.

“I’ve seen what the great people from the NASL era were able to do in the community and I wanted to be a part of that,” Prideaux said. “The tradition that the Jimmy Gabriels and the Alan Hintons of the world started is something that I wanted to continue.”

Prideaux brings to the Sounders Academy system a pedigree of success with two MLS Cups and two Supporters’ Shields to his credit, but also a passion for soccer in Seattle.

The Seattle native played four years at the University of Washington, then started his professional career in 1998 with the Sounders in the A-League. There, he played with Dick McCormick, who now coaches the Sounders FC U16 and U18 teams.

“He asked me to come aboard and it was a no-brainer,” Prideaux said. “To work with all the best kids in the state and some of the best kids in the region, and the country, it’s just a great opportunity.”

Prideaux, 35, played 11 seasons in MLS with the Kansas City Wizards, DC United, Colorado Rapids and Chicago Fire. He retired after the 2009 season and returned to his alma mater to be an assistant coach under Dean Wurzberger and remained in that capacity when Jamie Clark was hired before the 2011 season.

That experience at the pro level is invaluable to the young players in the Sounders Academy.

“Having a very qualified coach with an extensive MLS playing career is massive for these young players. Brandon’s not that far removed from playing in MLS and he can give those kids great insight as to what it takes to get there,” Sounders FC director of youth development Darren Sawatzky said. “It’s very important that players listen to people that have been where they want to go.”

Prideaux joins a staff of McCormick, Bill Crook, Sean Henderson, Dennis Sanchez and Jordan Jennings.

The U16 and U18 teams play their final home matches of the season on March 12 and 13 against the LA Galaxy and Chivas USA.