Schmetzer Agrees New Contract with Seattle Sounders

Brian Schmetzer has been able to silently agree a new contract with Seattle Sounders. The confirmed that the manager is now under contract for a few more years. The formal announcement has not come about due to a personal request by the manager, who has often been reluctant to get credit for the successes achieved by the team. His policy of staying under the radar is once again evident from this move.Schmetzer claims that he is delighted to be part of an organisation that has been able to give him a lot of freedom to work in the best possible manner.

Schmetzer came to Seattle Sounders on an interim basis in 2016. He came to the club when Seattle were going to aim tough period of time, but he has been able to get a 47-25-23 record with the club. This translates into a return of 1.73 points per match. He has also been able to achieve a 7-3-3 record in the play-offs. This translates into one of the best career record for an MLS coach aside from Gerardo Martino, who has been able to achieve 1.82 points per match. Crucially, Schmetzer has an excellent record when it comes to the MLS Cup since he has been able to take his teams to the competition more often than not. The 2018 campaign is the first year in which Schmetzer has been able to achieve this feat.
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Seattle Sounders boss responds after playoff disappointment

Seattle Sounders boss Brian Schmetzer has literally no complaints following the team’s playoff exit to Western Conference rivals Portland Timbers. The Sounders suffered a 2-1 defeat in the first leg of the playoffs on the road but they managed to level the aggregate in the reverse leg where five goals were scored in just 29 second half minutes.

With the scores level, progression had to be decided on a penalty shootout and Timbers eventually prevailed to reach the Western Conference finals, where they are scheduled to face Sporting Kansas City. Speaking after the game, Schmetzer said that he has no words to describe the result and believes his side gave everything they could to turn the result in their favour.
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Will Bruin pleased with impact against Houston Dynamo

Seattle Sounders striker Will Bruin has revealed his delight after getting onto the scoresheet during the 4-1 mauling of Houston Dynamo at home. The 28-year-old has gone without scoring for eight straight matches but he managed to end the streak by contributing the opening goal during the convincing triumph over Houston.

Speaking after the game, Bruin was relieved to have once more found the scoresheet and admitted that he had to make the most of the playing time after being handed just a second start in 10 appearances, he said: “For me personally it was good to get back on the score sheet. My minutes are limited now so I need to make the most of them. I think I did that tonight. I have scored goals every year in this league. As the league brings in higher quality players, a lot of them are attackers so I kind of have to evolve my game. I think I’ve done that throughout the years. Whenever I get my opportunities, I’m just going to do my job and try and score goals.”
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Brian Schmetzer happy to see Seattle break MLS winning streak

Seattle Sounders were able to claim eight consecutive victories for the first time in MLS history after the 3-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City. This was the longest streak achieved by a club since the post-shootout era. As a result, Seattle are now in a good position to overcome the poor start made to the campaign. Just like in the last season, Seattle may be coming up good in the business end of the season. Brian Schmetzer congratulated the team after the milestone victory and he stated that fans should be revelling in the moment as much as possible.

The improved result of results is likely to help Seattle make a push for the top two places once again. Now that the record is in the books, Seattle how to try and extend the even further, according to goalkeeper Stefan Frei. The goalkeeper says that the team record is much better than an individual record. Now, there is a danger of the club being extra cautious when it comes to avoid losing the run and this may be counter-productive to their push for the top two places. Brian Schmetzer says that the international break will provide a great opportunity for Seattle to try and maximise their points from the current trend.
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Seattle Sounders part ways with Magnus Eikrem

Seattle Sounders have decided to part ways with midfielder Magnus Wolff Eikrem. The Norwegian joined the Sounders from Malmo during the winter transfer window and contributed two goals and an assist in 17 appearances for the club. Sounders confirmed the decision through a statement which read: “We would like to thank Magnus for his contributions to our club this season and wish him the best as he embarks on the next step in his career.”

With Eikrem out of the squad, Sounders have the opportunity to add up an international player into their squad before the MLS’s second transfer window concludes on August 8. Eikrem arrived at Sounders on a free transfer in January and was regarded as a potential player, who can challenge for regular gametime in the centre of the park.
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Brian Schmetzer: Stefan Frei on a concussion protocol

Seattle Sounders manager Brian Schmetzer has revealed that goalkeeper Stefan Frei is presently on a concussion evaluation protocol after receiving an elbow to his head during the dying seconds of Saturday’s match against Chicago Fire. Both teams were pushing for the winner after being at 1-1 but the game ended in a sore note for Frei after Alan Gordon’s elbow caught him on the left temple.

 

Shortly after, Frei was lying motionless as the medics came to attend him and this pretty much summed up the game as referee Armando Villarreal blew the final whistle. Speaking during a training session on Tuesday, Schmetzer is presently out of contention after experiencing concussion-like symptoms and this could potentially see him the first Cascadia Cup match of the season versus Portland Timbers on Saturday.
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