Brian Schmetzer hired as Sounders’ head coach

In a move that probably wasn’t much of a surprise to some, the Seattle Sounders announced Wednesday at their Annual Business Meeting that they have removed the interim tag and hired Brian Schmetzer as the team’s head coach.

Schmetzer was promoted from a top assistant to the Sounders’ interim head coach after the team “mutually parted ways” with Sigi Schmid on July 26. Since taking over, Schmetzer has been quite successful, achieving an 8-2-4 record and propelling Seattle from ninth place to fourth – and the playoffs. He’s also won both of his playoff matches thus far, including a historic 3-0 win over FC Dallas in the first leg of the conference semifinals.

Spenser Davis also covers the Sounders for Sounder at Heart.