Seattle Sounders’ hopes of winning the MLS club will have to wait for another season after the team was defeated on penalties by FC Dallas.
The semi-final loss means that the club face an uncertain future especially with regards to manager Sigi Schmid. The MLS coach is one of the respected in North America after having won a whole host of trophies prior to his move to Seattle Sounders. However, he has been unable to lead his current team to MLS glory. Seattle have been chasing the MLS title since 2009. This drought may cost Schmid his job before the start of the 2016 season.
The manager said that his future was not in his hands and that it was up to the owners to decide whether he stays or not. However, he expressed his desire to continue as the Seattle Sounders manager. The club looked like being in great condition to challenge for the cup. They may have finished fourth in the Western Conference table, but Seattle Sounders were unbeaten in all competitions since the 1-0 defeat against Olimpia in the CONCACAF Champions League back in August. They even went on a four match winning run before the start of the play-offs. Failure to produce results when it counts the most has once again been the reason for the downfall.
“The Cup is what we haven’t given [the fans] yet. We’ve given them four Open Cups, we’ve given them a Supporters’ Shield. Our trophy case has a lot more in it than Dallas, as an example. Obviously, that’s not my decision. That’s [continuing] ownership’s decision, and they’ll decide that. But I feel fine, and I still feel capable of coaching. I thought the team did well considering all the obstacles and all the difficulties we had this season, with all the injuries and people being out,” said Schmid.