Jimmy Gabriel

2025 Nominee: Builders Category

The original “Mr. Sounder,” Gabriel came to the Emerald City and captained the 1974 squad following a distinguished career in England, eventually taking over as player-Head Coach from 1977-1979, before making an indelible mark on the Seattle soccer community across four decades in numerous roles.

As a player, Gabriel recorded 54 appearances and seven goals, earning 1974 NASL All-Star Second Team honors. He scored the club’s first-ever goal at the Kingdome in 1976, in addition to the first Sounders goal in the team’s storied rivalry against the Portland Timbers in 1975. As Head Coach, Gabriel’s teams notched two playoff appearances in three seasons, winning the Western Division and Pacific Conference titles before falling in Soccer Bowl ’77 to Pele’s New York Cosmos. But it was role in growing the game across the Puget Sound soccer community that made the deepest impact, as a mentor, coach, educator and broadcaster for more than 40 years. One of the many individuals that Gabriel inspired was current Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer, with the Scotsman later joining Schmetzer’s coaching staff in the USL, helping the club capture the 2005 league title.

Prior to his time in Seattle, Gabriel made over 550 professional appearances in the UK, including a prolific career in England for Everton and Southampton, in addition to Scottish club Dundee in his hometown.