The Seattle Sounders announced Tuesday morning the decision to “mutually part ways” with coach Sigi Schmid, bringing to an end the tenure of the only coach they’ve known in their MLS history.
Under Schmid’s guidance, the club won four U.S. Open Cups (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014), as well as the 2014 Supporters’ Shield, which is awarded to the regular-season champion.
Schmid will be missed. He was a strong coach with a consistent, calming presence on the touchline. In years past, a team led by the inventive goalscoring duo of Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins was hugely exciting to watch, generating some of the largest soccer crowds in the country.
But this parting of ways was not unexpected. The Sounders have been on a terrible run of form, most recently losing 3-0 to Kansas City, and they're currently ten spots points below playoff qualification in the rankings. In recent games, they've looked like a team bereft of purpose and energy (Martins left the team after last season). Something had gone seriously awry, it wasn't clear how Schmid was going to fix it.
Sigi Schmid never got enough credit for turning the Sounders into an MLS powerhouse https://t.co/j24qG4XOyn
— Nexmedia Sports (@Nexmedia_Sports) July 26, 2016
The Sounders finally part ways with Sigi Schmid. Life without Obafemi Martins hasn't been easy for Seattle, who have a West-worst 20 goals.
— Joe Lago (@joelago) July 26, 2016
Sigi Schmid deserves huge props for leading the Sounders to 7 straight playoffs, 4 Open Cups & 2014 Supporters Shield. Sad end to an era.
— Daniel Bagby (@danielbagby) July 26, 2016
This post has been updated since its original publication.
